2 1 The Fern Garden. 



CHAPTER V. 



CULTIVATION OF MARSH FERNS. 



HIS will be a very short chapter, just because 

 there are no marsh ferns. I remarked as much 

 in Chapter III, and pointed out that the most 

 moisture- loving of them managed usually to keep out 

 of the water. But you may wish to plant some ferns 

 beside a stream, or on an islet, or near a fountain, or 

 in some other peculiarly damp position, and it will be 

 proper here to name the most suitable. 



Osmunda regalis, the royal fern, delights in moisture, 

 especially if it is growing in a great bed of spongy 

 peat. With such aids and a warm climate it will 

 overtop the tallest man, but if it only attains a height 

 of five feet, it is a noble object, as much like a palm 

 as any plant of English growth. 



Athyrium Filix fmmina, the lady fern, delights in a 

 similar position. This has no palm-like aspect, but is 

 rather to be compared with a plume of ostrich feathers 

 of the most intense and delicate tint of yellowish green. 



Lastrea thelypteris, the female buckler fern, is another 

 charming species for a very damp position, and it spreads 

 fast, literally carpeting the ground with pale greyish- 

 green most delicately textured fronds. 



Blechnum spicant, the hard fern, will attain grand 



