INTRODUCTION. 
Xlll 
they cannot reach it ; a second enjoys half an hour’s sun ; 
a third basks in sunshine till noon ; and thus all are varied. 
Even with this choice of situation, and after having 
noted the natural habitat, I find it best to obtain, when 
possible, a number of roots of the same species, and to 
plant them in every situation : for instance, I have placed 
Ceterach officinarum and Scolopendrium vulgare side by 
side in the darkest shade and the brightest sunlight ; hut 
Ceterach loves sun and di’ought, Scolopendrium darkness 
and moisture ; so that where Scolopendrium thrives Ceterach 
pines, and where Ceterach thrives Scolopendrium pines. 
Thus, by giving to each an abundant choice, you allow 
it to suit itself with a congenial situation, which is even 
better than condemning it to the result of observations 
which may have been erroneous. 
Having planted a number of Ferns on these principles 
of adapting the situation to each, the next grand point is to 
keep them well watered ; and this is best effected by a 
garden-engine, from which, by a pressure of the thumb on 
the stream, it may he made to descend in an almost imper- 
ceptible shower, which is much more beneficial than a 
heavy watering. If there has been no rain during the 
day, the watering should be repeated every evening during 
the summer ; hut when the fronds have ceased to grow, 
when those which are deciduous have disappeared, and 
those which are persistent have assumed their full size and 
substance, then should nothing more be done to urge them 
forward, for all require a period of rest ; a season in which 
the sap seems to circulate less freely, and a state of sloth 
