534 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



turfy peat, covered with a layer of common green moss, which is 

 kept growing, and in which they luxuriate. The welfare of the 

 inmates is the natural outcome of a genial atmosphere produced 

 by the presence of a comparatively large bulk of soil contained 

 in the house when compared with the quantity of brick-burrs or 

 stone material. 



It is interesting to note how, in this house, where the temper- 

 ature frequently falls several degrees below freezing-point, Ferns 

 from nearly all parts of the Globe thrive together ; for, so far 

 as health is concerned, there is nothing to choose between 

 the Australian and New Zealand Tree-Ferns and Balantuiin 

 Culcita and Woodwardia radicans of Madeira which, with the 

 various forms of Aspleniums, Cyrtomiums, Lastreas, Pteris, 

 Todea arl?07^ea, &c., from Australia, form a most interesting 

 group of plants. The Climbing Fern, Lygoduim scandens (Fig. 

 337), from Japan, is there in its element and thriving apace. 

 The cultivation of Ferns, under these conditions, is as simple as 

 it possibly could be : once planted, the only attention necessary 

 for the growing season is the watering and the ventilation, while 

 the results are very gratifying. 



The Exotic Fernery. — Whether intended for warm house or 

 simply for ordinary greenhouse Ferns, this structure, especially 

 if it be a span-roofed one, should, in preference, be disposed 

 from north to south, so as to avoid the strong rays of the 

 mid-day sun, while retaining as much light as possible. If 

 it is a lean-to fernery, with a northern or a north-eastern 

 aspect, it will require but very little shading, even during the 

 summer ; while at other times of the year none will be needed. 

 It is a well-recognised fact that Ferns not only can do with an 

 abundance of light, but also that it is most beneficial to them. 



Shading. — As a general rule, from the middle of September 

 to the middle of March shading will not be required on a 

 fernery of any aspect ; in the early part of March, however, the 

 atmosphere becomes clearer, and the sun gaining strength, a little 

 shading in the middle part of the day soon becomes necessary 

 for houses containing stove Ferns and fully exposed to the sun. 

 The hardier greenhouse kinds will not require shade till later on, 

 and the hardy Ferns not until the beginning of June. In fact 

 the rule is to provide at all times the greatest amount of light, 

 shading only to prevent sunlight from scorching and bleaching 

 the foliage, and to that effect the necessity for shading must 

 be determined by the position of the house and the character of 

 its inmates. The best and most satisfactory way of shading is 

 by means of blinds made of coarse canvas or of other suit- 

 able material, which should be of a nature sufficiently open to 

 admit plenty of light, and be fastened on rollers, so that when 

 the rope is released the blind will roll down, and be rolled up 

 again and secured in its place when no longer required, for it is 



