GENERAL HINTS ON FERN CULTURE. 
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T he Ferns naturallj’’ divide into three principal groups, as regards the climatal conditions affecting 
their cultivation — the hothouse species, the greenhouse species, and the hardy species, — of which 
latter, a somewhat more tender subdivision needs the protection of a cold frame. 
In the pure atmosphere of a rural situation, the hardy race of Ferns require only to be planted in 
suitable conditions of shade and moisture, in order to secure their healthy development ; and many ot 
what are called frame species, if placed under such conditions in a sheltered position, will not suffer any 
injury from climatal causes, especially if they are at all guarded from excess of wet. But in the 
smoky sooty atmosphere of crowded cities, none but a very few of the most robust of the hardy sorts 
will even survive, unless sheltered by some permanent covering, such as glass. To cultivate even the 
hardy sorts, then, in such murky situations, where they become especially valuable from their cheerful 
aspect and the often impossibility of cultivating flowering-plants, a complete covering of some kind is 
indispensable, and this is best constructed of glass. No artificial heating is necessary for them ; but, 
merely an inclosure which may shut the plants up, and seclude them, as far as practicable, from the 
fuliginous atmosphere of a thickly inhabited locality. The size might vary from the small glazed case 
on the window-ledge, to the inclosed court-yard; and, in either case, according to the space, the 
interior should be disposed in the picturesque style to which tlie dignified title of rock-work is generally 
applied. Such an arrangement of the surface is, at least, the most appropriate, both as to the wants 
of the plants, and as to their adaptation to an ornamental purpose. If grown in imts a low pit is most 
suitable ; but for convenience sake it should be contrived so that a pathway inside, with sutneient 
head-room, may afford facility of access. 
The greenhouse species may be grown in a similar pit-Hke structure, with the addition of sufficient 
means of heating to exclude frost. The plants are undoubtedly best situated, as well as most effective, 
when planted out on rock-work among winding pathways ; but if it is preferred to grow them in pots, 
any simple and convenient form of low close pit may be adopted. 
The same considerations, except as to the heating, apjily to the culture of the stove species. For a 
very limited collection a small pit would be best, on account of the economy of keeping up the neces- 
sary heat ; but where the collection is considerable a larger house, with rock-work embankments 
of tasteful and irregular outline, should be preferred; and the plants, when arranged with a due 
regard to tlieir habit on the different positions rock-work affords, will find themselves in such con- 
genial situations, as to develope to the full all tliosc luxurious and graceful cliaracteristics for which 
