FERNS, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 
8^ 
observed in the noble collection of Messrs. Loddiges that, where Ferns have of 
themselves sprung up about the Orchidaceas, and mingled their leaves with the 
apparently torpid pseudo-bulbs, a far superior group has been occasioned. 
To place a few elegant Ferns, then, in the basket or the pot with those 
Orchidaceous plants that are defective in point of leaves, will tend materially to 
heighten the appearance of both ; and Ferns from tropical countries will be quite 
at home in an Orchidaceous house, where they will have just the sort of treatment 
most congenial to them. We need hardly hint that the size of the Ferns should bear 
some proportion to the usual dimensions of the plant with which they are associated. 
Finally, Ferns are exceedingly suitable for adorning any description of rustic 
work, made with rugged, curious, or half-decayed lumps of wood, or stumps taken 
from the base of the trunks of trees, including the thicker part of the roots. Such 
materials are often substituted for rock in giving variety to the sides of little 
dells or hollows in pleasure-grounds, or in hiding any bank or wall, or diversifying 
its surface. And Ferns, besides being the class of plants that nature seems to 
demand for such a situation, would succeed particularly well there, if they had a 
little shade. 
When, however, stoves are intended to hold a miscellaneous collection of 
Orchidaceas, Gloxinias, and all those plants that are not of a woody texture, it is an 
excellent plan to fill up the central compartment with rustic masses of wood, placed 
tastefully, and plant the specimens among or upon these. And then Ferns may be 
inserted liberally, with advantage and efi*ect ; for what suits Orchidacese, Gloxinias, 
&c., will also suit them, and they will yield a very sufficient share of ornament. 
In respect to the culture of Ferns, it is comprised in three or four leading 
particulars. The first of these is shade. Give a fern a shaded position, and it will 
assume at once that fascinating light green hue which is the chief characteristic of 
the race, and which is hardly ever attained in bright sunshine. Shade is conse- 
quently indispensable to perfection ; and it is essential even to the healthy 
preservation of many species. It should be obtained either by putting the plants 
where trees, or buildings, or some other objects, supply it permanently, or by 
throwing canvass, or some similar substance, over the roof of the house in which 
the plants may be growing, during sunny weather. 
A tolerably moist atmosphere is the next requisite. And this is almost a 
necessary attendant of shade. Throughout the spring and summer, v/hile the 
I leaves are being developed. Ferns delight in a moderate moisture ; and those grown 
in houses ought to be well watered and duly syringed. The vapour which arises 
from any body of water, especially in a stove, is likewise beneficial. The beauty 
of those wild specimens that happen to grow on a shady bank, along the bottom 
of which a stream flows, is a correct indication of the preference of the plants for 
a moist atmosphere. 
Where shade and moisture exist, there must of necessity be comparative 
i coolness ; so that it is not needful to observe that Ferns appear to like a somewhat 
1 . VOL. XI. NO, CXXIV. N 
