FERN CONFERENCE. 



521 



often you may see in windows miserable, lanky Geraniums, 

 Fuchsias, and other plants struggling for existence, while Ferng 

 in the same position would grow freely and present a beautiful 

 and pleasing appearance. 



Thus British and other hardy Ferns are suitable for cultiva- 

 tion in the dwelling-house ; in window-boxes ; in situations where 

 flowering plants will not live ; in the gardens of those who can 

 give them a position exactly suiting their requirements of shade 

 and shelter ; in borders, beds, shrubberies, plantations, rock work, 

 or specially constructed ferneries. They are specially suitable 

 for cultivation in unheated frames and cold greenhouses. The 

 extra protection accorded the Ferns in such places will be 

 much more than repaid by the additional beauty of foliage and 

 colour they will exhibit under these more favourable con- 

 ditions. 



In the cultivation of hardy Ferns it will be found that a' 

 position shaded from the sun and sheltered from strong winds 

 suits them the best. But although they should be shaded from 

 the hot rays of the sun, they should have as much light as 

 possible. If shaded too much they become weak, and do not 

 grow so sturdy and bushy as they would with an abundance of 

 light. They should not be crowded together, as they neither 

 grow so well nor have they the pleasing appearance possessed 

 by those which have more room in which to develop their fronds. 

 Besides, when growing one into another, they lose their individu- 

 ality, and their particular characters and forms are not so notice- 

 able. Strong winds break their foliage ; hence protection from 

 these should be provided. Care exercised on these points in their 

 culture will result in much greater success than when these 

 matters are not attended to. 



Ferns revel in moisture, and it is an essential both in the soil 

 and in the atmosphere. A dry atmosphere prevents the perfect 

 development of their fronds and minimises their beauty. If short 

 of moisture at the roots they are checked in their growth ; often 

 their fronds shrivel and the plants die. Stagnant moisture is 

 iniurious to them, so that, although the soil in which they grow 

 should be continually moist, it must be drained. Ferns planted on 

 rockwork will require examining during dry weather, and should 

 be watered when they require it. Probably the most favourable 

 position for Ferns is a natural or specially constructed dell, where 



i 



