46 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
many such sites in numbers of gardens, and thoug-h 
for flowers generally they are for the most part quite 
unsuitable, 3^et for Ferns they are ideal quarters, 
and by careful selection of species they may be easily 
converted into a most interesting section of the 
garden beautiful. 
Wext to aspect comes drainage. Ferns are 
moisture-loving subjects, and in the growing season 
particularly require an abundance of water. It will, 
therefore, be obvious that a water-logged soil would 
soon sour, and prove disastrous to the occupants, no 
matter how enduring as individuals they may be. 
Making: the Hardy Fernery. 
The shape of the rockery matters but little : 
it is the well-being of the plants that should be the 
^'uide, though the closer the general scheme is to 
Nature the more effective. Inasmuch, however, as 
she is never hard and fast, it would be inadvisable 
to attempt to give plans. Above all things, endeavour 
to avoid anything like a formal appearance, whether 
the rockwork be on the level or in an excavated posi- 
tion. First, roufrhly map out the paths or path and 
then proceed to fill in the details. In selecting the 
stone for the purpose the average amateur will have 
to depend largely upon what he finds locally to hand. 
Where, however, cost is not a consideration, then 
either limestone or sandstone should be employed, 
the latter preferably. Whether a large or a small 
Fernery is under consideration, the cultivator's aim 
must be to break up the view as it were, and this is 
best done by means of good-sized pieces of stone. 
Where stone is not get-at-able on account of expense, 
then the amateur must fall back upon brick-burrs 
from the kiln-yard. These are always obtainable at 
a cheap rate, and if not so natural in appearance as 
stone the rockery may be so constructed that it will 
give excellent results; and, after all, with the 
majoritj^, the aim would be rather to preserve in 
vigorous health a certain number of species and 
varieties than to provide a show-place. Without 
doubt, the most natural way of growing Ferns is in 
