114 The Fern Garden. 



Polystichum setosum, a lovely dark green fern, will 

 take care of itself anywhere in the shade. 



Pteris temifolia, P. hastata, P- cretia albo Mneaia, 

 P. scaberula, P. flabellata, a fine group ; scaberula runs 

 about, and should not be put into a case for that reason ; 

 but in a basket, which will allow it to peep out, it is 

 at home ; as for the last in the list it is lovely, and 

 thrives in our cool house. 



Platycerium alcicorne is absolutely indispensable for 

 its curious habit and its hardiness. It will bear seven 

 or even ten degrees of frost, and yet come right again, 

 but should never be so much punished. Get a block 

 of old wood, scoop out a hole, and put in it some fine 

 peat, and in that hole fix the plant firmly. Then hang 

 up the block by means of copper wire, and syringe 

 frequently all the year round. It will in time cover 

 the block with its tawny shields (we call them "pot 

 lids"), and make a grand object. A plant has hung 

 near the roof of our cool house for ten years, and has 

 several times been frozen. 



Todea pellucida and T. superba are a pair of New 

 Zealand filmy ferns of the most exquisite character. I 

 am half afraid to recommend them to beginners, yet 

 they only want deep shade and moisture to succeed to 

 perfection, as they are nearly hardy. Plenty of drain- 

 age, plenty of patience, as little air as possible, and all 

 will be well. I have some fine plants growing in a 

 disused (because leaky) aquarium; they are in fine 

 condition. They are covered close with a sheet of glass 

 and never have any air at all. 



Thamnopteris australasica is too good to be omitted. 



