30 
f CHOICE BRITISH FERNS. 
more delicate forms are concerned; and tliongli the plants 
may exist under very adverse circumstances, the cultivator 
can never hope to grow Ferns to the best advantage unless 
he studies, lover-like, their predilections and requirements. 
Nature is here again the best teacher. Where do we find the 
Lady Fern growing shoulder high, the Hard Fern waist high, 
and so on ? Is it not deep down in some sheltered, shady 
ravine, where every breeze that blows has to filter through 
a thousand trees, which at the same time shut out the noon- 
day sun ? Here is the paradise of Ferns, and the more that 
heau ideal is approached, the greater will be the success 
attained and the pleasure derived therefrom. 
With regard to pot culture, one fact is frequently overlooked 
— viz., that Ferns, like other plants, when growing wild, are 
not turned and twisted about, now to the north and then to 
the south, but are absolute fixtures, and grow accordingly — 
i.e., the fronds, as they rise and develop, adjust themselves 
as nearly as possible at the angle which enables them to catch 
the greatest amount of light. Place, therefore, a Fern at a 
window during its growing period, and every frond will slowly 
curve towards the window in such a way that, when perfect, 
it will be seen at its best from the outside. Ladies especially, 
however, try to counteract this tendency by turning the 
plant round, so that it may be seen to advantage from the 
room, the consequence eventually being bent and misshapen 
fronds and ugly plants, since a permanent twist is given by 
only an hour or two’s exposure — and once this is done it 
cannot be remedied. Nature being thus interfered with, the 
old twisted fronds are in the way of the later ones, and so 
confusion becomes worse confounded ; hence, one golden rule 
is, “ Always keep the same side of the pot to the light,” to 
insure which it is well to mark the pot itself. 
With regard to watering, if the pots are thoroughly drained, 
and not too large for the plants, over-watering need not be 
feared, but drought alone, which to some Ferns is fatal. This, 
however, is only a matter of care and regularity, and the 
golden rule for the Fern-lover here is : “ If you have anything 
very choice, look after it yourself.” 
