48 The Fern Garden. 



the compost^ so that it will, when all is finished, he an 

 inch below the edge of the pan, as it ought to he ; it 

 may indeed go below that, and need filling up with 

 some of the finest of the mixture, which should be 

 sprinkled over as a finishing touch. 



In any case of difficulty in obtaining ( peat of a friable 

 and fibrous texture for fern cases, a mixture of equal 

 parts of cocoa-nut fibre refuse and charcoal dust will 

 answer admirably. 



I could enumerate fifty groups of ferns offhand 

 suitable for bell-glasses, but tastes differ, and the best 

 possible way to please yourself is first to obtain a 

 sufficient number of ferns of suitable kinds and arrange 

 them as you think best. I will, however, as my 

 journal of fern work is at hand while writing this, give 

 you the planting of a bell-glass measuring twenty-two 

 inches across which I once planted for a friend who knew 

 well how to manage these things, and who was pleased 

 to say that, though very fastidious on matters of taste, 

 she was well satisfied with my way of doing things. 



In the centre Cheilanthes farinosa, the most accom- 

 modating of all the silver ferns. At regular distances 

 round it Adiantopsis radiata, Cheilanthes tomentosa, 

 Aspleniumfragrans, Asplenium vivipara, Pteris argentea, 

 a little silvery gem, Elaphoglossum brevipes, Doodia 

 lunulata. All over the surface, so as to quite cover it> 

 Selaginella apoda. 



The following are six beautiful ferns adapted for 

 glass shades in the hands of beginners ; in fact, if they 

 are not drowned with water, and have but a moderate 

 amount of light, they are sure to thrive even if neg- 



