THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
21 
blocks, on which some fine ferns were rooted and flourishing. 
Setting to work one day to put the stack in order, and having a 
number of ferns for which there was no room in the garden, we 
placed several dead trees of large girth to form the outlines of a 
large space. Within this the roots were packed with no particular 
order, and at the back a mass of rotten wood and moss, which had 
been collected for cultural purposes. The whole was roofed with 
loppings and beau-sticks, so as to construct a sort of extem- 
poraneous hermit’s cell, or grotto of wood, into which no perpen- 
dicular light could fall, but the light entered freely at three of the 
sides. Here among the roots, on the ground, and on the bank of 
rubbish at the back, ferns were planted. Sufficient rain gained 
entrance through the interstices of the roof, the ferns flourished, 
and a number of pretty wildings, including ivies and brambles, 
sprung up amoDgst the moss and peat used in planting, and in this 
way we came into the possession of one of the prettiest ferneries 
imaginable, though it was in a position quite unsuited to it, and at 
a distance had no more romance about it than belongs to any stack 
of faggots in a farmer’s yard. 
The space within measured about thirty feet by twenty, and was 
about seven feet high, the roof resting on rough props and the stems 
of dead pollard alders. Its appearance inside was beautiful ; groups 
of brake and male ferns towered up among the dead branches, 
patches of holly fern and polypody covered the dark blocks and un- 
gainly roots, the osmunda spread out its leafy fronds beyond the 
boundary of timber to the open air, and all over the ground where 
smaller ferns had even been thrown in and forgotten, new fronds 
broke out and covered the dusty floor with woolly croziers and 
bright green shepherd’s crooks so completely and luxuriantly, that 
ever since we have regarded such a plan as just the one required 
for an out-door fernery. If the thing is to be done again, it may 
be better done. Instead of throwing the materials together pell- 
mell, select a number of unbarked pollards, some large knotted 
loppings of old plum, or apple, or oak trees. A\ ith these construct a 
frame- work, setting the supports at the corners, and making a very 
light roof of rough trellis. Then plant it round with fast-growing 
climbers, some of which should run up light posts midway between 
the corner pillars ; and construct green walks, with plenty of open 
spaces for the admission of full daylight, as also for the entrance 
aud exit of the cultivator and his visitors. The roof should also be 
covered, and indeed to a great extent formed with greenery, and the 
knife and shears employed to keep the trailers within bounds, so 
that they may not obstruct either daylight or rain, but effectually 
screen off the mid-day summer sun. 
Then inside build a bank of fern compost, with a bottom of 
brick rubbish ; in one corner, where light comes in plentifully, make 
a hollow, and puddle it with clay, and then spread in it a foot of 
peat for some of the marsh ferns, and others that like moisture at 
their roots. A little rock-work, formed of dark stones, or the burrs 
from a brick-kiln, would round off the corners and slopes of the 
bank ; and about the ground place a few huge tree roots, also to be 
January. 
