50 
CHOICE BRITISH FERNS. 
are formed of stout pieces of bamboo, attached by extra 
strong copper wire through holes in end-pieces. With a 
straight-edge and bradawl marginal or other lines can be 
scored, by way of relief, and the corners are rounded with 
the file. 
Other forms will soon suggest themselves, and the hints 
above given should suflS.ce for their execution. 
These same roofing-slates — which, by the way, should be 
selected as stout as possible, and free from flaws — can be 
used to form a capital, long, continuous receptacle for the 
smaller-growing and wall Ferns, the top of an old wall being, 
indeed, the idea aimed at. This is formed against a wall, 
at about the level of the eye, in the manner shown in 
Fig. 12. A represents the wall; B, a level row of strong 
nails, driven about 6in. apart into the wall ; c, a row 
of hooks — if galvanised, so much the better. The slates 
are then pierced with two holes in one of the two upper 
corners and one in the other, as shown at d. If, now, the 
bottom edge of the slates be rested upon the lower line of 
hooks, and their edges overlapped, so that the holes nearest 
the edge coincide, stout copper wire, passed through, and 
over the upper hooks and back again, will at once tie the 
slates together, and suspend them safely at such an angle 
as will form a continuous pocket, as desired. Plenty of broken 
brick and rough material should then be thrown in as drain- 
age, and when filled up with good compost, a first-class and 
very convenient home will be made for a select company of 
choice, small things. 
The soil can be packed with small burrs with good results, 
the Ferns being carefully installed in the chinks. Many of 
the most diflS.cult to grow take kindly to this sort of recep- 
tacle, which has the further advantage of economising room, 
since there is plenty of space underneath for larger Ferns, 
and hardly any liability to drip. The plants, also, being on 
a level with the eye, are easily inspected and kept in order. 
For small seedlings, like accommodation may be afforded 
by the ridge- slates, suspended in the same manner, only not 
overlapping — which, in their case, is needless. They form, of 
