16 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
growth than Ferns, and a collection of native genera, or 
species and varieties alone, is well worthy of culture by 
the amateur gardener. If, however, the hardy European 
and North American kinds can be grown also, then a very 
interesting feature will be added to the joys and pleasures 
of a garden. A hardy fernery may be formed in any 
shady spot, such as a north border or position getting 
little or no sun. Here all that is necessary is a heap or 
bank of ordinary soil and decayed leaves. On this place 
tree roots, portions of tree trunks, lumps of stone, or even 
burrs. Arrange them in a picturesque manner, and then 
fill the space between with 6 to 12 inches of the special 
composition advised for each genera. In this plant the 
ferns in April. A really pretty fernery may be formed by 
excavating a winding path two or more feet deep and 
throwing the soil on the sides to form banks, then placing 
tree roots and trunks, or rocks, and adding special soil 
as above advised. To accommodate moisture-loving ferns, 
like the Osmundas, small pools may be formed here by the 
side of the winding path, and pits or small caverns made 
for growing ferns like the Killarney and Tunbridge kinds 
that love partial darkness, coolness, and moisture. Space 
might also be found for building an imitation old wall on 
which to grow the Wall Rue, Maidenhair, Spleenwort and 
Scale ferns. 
Water Gardens. — In modern gardening much atten- 
tion is now paid to the culture of water-loving plants, more 
especially the lovely hybrid Water Lilies (Nymphaeas). In 
gardens where there is a natural stream of water it is a 
comparatively easy matter to construct a series of small 
pools in an artistic manner for growing all kinds of water 
and waterside plants. Those who are fortunate enough 
to have a natural lake or pond in their grounds have only 
to put in the needful plants, and a water garden is at once 
assured. But where neither stream, nor lake, nor pond 
exists, an artificial one must be formed. The best way to 
do this is to select a damp plot in a low part of t'he garden 
and there to excavate the soil to a depth varying from ift. 
at the margin to 3ft. or so in the centre. If the natural 
subsoil be clay, it will only be necessary to well ram the 
