Cultivation of Greenhouse and Stove Ferns. 99 



which are constantly bedewed by the spray from a 

 fountain. The roof is a span running east and west; 

 the south side of it is covered with felt, and the north 

 side with glass, a plan which admits abundance of light, 

 and renders shading wholly unnecessary. The whole 

 structure is placed on a slope, the lower part being 

 considerably below the outside ground level. At this 

 lowest part is placed the furnace, and there is an extra 

 service of pipes there to maintain a stove temperature. 

 In the middle of the house there are fewer pipes, and 

 a greenhouse temperature is kept. At the upper end 

 the pipes suffice only to keep frost out. Thus in one 

 house the ferns of tropical, temperate, and frigid zones 

 are all accommodated, and though the whole structure 

 is rough, and has been constructed on the most eco- 

 nomical principles, the interior presents at all seasons 

 a grand spectacle, and affords a most delightful prome- 

 nade. 



Although, as explained above, ferns and flowering 

 plants may be grown together, those who would do 

 justice to the former must appropriate a house to them 

 exclusively. It is possible to adapt a south aspect to 

 the purpose, but it is not advisable to encounter such 

 a difficulty. A north or north-west aspect is the best. 

 The house should have a roof of not very steep pitch, 

 a sufficient service of hot-water pipes, and ventilators 

 near the pipes to afford warmth to the fresh air as it 

 enters, and others in the roof at each end, but none 

 elsewhere unless the house is a large one. A frequent 

 change of air is essential to the health of the ferns, but 

 we do not want a rushing wind or so much ventilation 



