148 VIII. ATHYUIUM. 
This fern does not appear to be applied to any special 
use, except that, in Ireland, where it abounds on all the 
bogs, it is employed as a packing material, as the common 
bracken is in this country. 
This very beautiful plant is of all wild ferns one of 
the easiest to cultivate. When placed about rock work, 
it should occupy a low boggy situation at the base of the 
rock, being planted amongst turfy soil, kept thoroughly 
moistened, either naturally or artificially. Jt is far less 
beautiful if planted in dry exjxjsed situations. Few hardy 
plants which can be introduced among rock work are so 
thoroughly lovely as a vigorous Lady Fern, placed just 
within the mouth of a cavernous recess, large enough to 
admit of its development, and just open enough that the 
light of day may gleam across the dark back-ground suf- 
ficient to reveal the drooping feathery fronds ; and, what 
is more, it will delight to grow in such a situation, if 
freely supplied with moisture to its roots. In woodland 
walks, or on the shady margin of ornamental water, no 
fern can be more appropriately introduced. When grown 
in a pot, it requires one of rather a large size, and should 
be planted in turfy soil, intermixed with fragments of 
charcoal, sandstone, or potsherds. To attain anything 
like a fair degree of its lady-like gracefulness, this fern 
must under all circumstances be well supplied with water. 
