44 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Ferns, though non-flowering in the ordinary acceptation of the term, rank amongst 

 the most interesting and admired of plants. They are interesting because of the 

 wonderful method of fertilisation, without which new plants of the nature of seedlings 

 could not be raised ; and admired because of their graceful habit, whether the plants are 

 of large or small stature, and for the refreshing character of their elegant fronds. 



Ferns in great variety succeed with various stove and greenhouse plants, adding, if 

 well-grown, not a little to the general attractiveness of the combination. They are, 

 however, to be seen at their best in houses constructed for their special benefit. In any 

 case they ought to be divided into sections, a portion thriving in an ordinary stove 

 temperature, and the remainder in cooler quarters. Much sunshine is not good for 

 ferns, as it is apt to check their growth, and cause the fronds to present a starved, sickly 

 yellow appearance. The other extreme, a permanent heavy shading, especially if accom- 

 panied by a moisture-laden atmosphere, has the effect of inducing longer, yet less robust, 

 fronds — dark green in colour, it is true, but not nearly so beautiful, or so serviceable in 

 a cut state as they might be had under more rational treatment. The difficulty is met, 

 in many cases, by arranging ferneries in positions where only a little sun reaches them, 

 as is the case on the north side of high walls. Ferns succeed in conservatories and 

 other structures where the plants have the benefit of abundance of light without 

 much direct sunshine. A little sun, other conditions being favourable, promotes the 

 growth of good, hard fronds, not of the deepest green colour, but on that account the 

 more admired. 



Ferneries which form part of conservatories, that are desired t o be constantly attractive, 

 without partaking of formality, may be so arranged as to admit of planting out most of 

 the ferns available. The Fernery of John Corbett, Esq., at Impney, near Droitwich, is a 

 beautiful example, with rocks, water, lofty tree ferns and Selaginella clad banks, as 

 represented in Fig. 94. A well-appointed rockwork can soon be covered with a variety 

 of these elegant plants, which may be kept in perfect health for several years together with 

 very little trouble. Hints on forming rockwork for hardy plants and ferns were given 

 in Vol. I. (pp. 90-93), and the instructions also apply to the construction of rockwork under 

 glass, leaving it to the ingenuity and taste of persons interested to form cascades, grottoes, 

 and charming nooks to suit their particular ferneries. If ordinary plant stages are 

 provided, these should be of a durable character, and covered with fine spar, ashes, clean 

 gravel, or other moisture-holding material. Immediately under the fronts of the stages, 

 rockwork or mounds ought to be formed and planted with the commoner ferns, 



