APPENDIX. 
89 
HARDY FERNS. 
Hardy Ferns should always have a prepared soil on a sloping north bank, 
where they are seen to the greatest advantage. Some of the strong Aspidiums 
will grow in any common soil, where the small species would soon perish. They 
prefer a shady place, but do not like the drip of trees, nor stagnant water about 
them. The border or soil should be made of one fourth coarse grit or river sand, 
with three parts peat or bog earth, chopped well in pieces, but not sifted — this 
should be a foot deep. If a very damp place, the border should have a layer of 
broken brick below to drain it, if intended for the more choice species ; for 
although Osmundas, Aspidium Tlielypteris, and Blechnum boreale, will grow in 
the water, they thrive better a small distance off, and you gain the advantage of 
growing all the species in the same border. Some of the smaller species should 
be raised on mounds above the border to keep them drier ; the best way is to 
place four or five stones edgewise, thereby forming a hollow in the centre, putting 
a little drainage in the bottom. Small species prefer shallow soil ; they are like- 
wise benefited by placing a bell-glass over them, to retain the humidity of the 
atmosphere. Many of them it is difficult to find situations suitable for, without 
covering both in summer and winter; such for instance as Adiantum Capillus 
Veneris ; Asplenium alternifolium, viride, Trichomanes,septentrionale, and marinum ; 
Hymenophyllum Wilsoni and Tunbridgense ; Tricliomanes brevisetum ; Ceterach, 
and many small foreign species ; likewise the Lycopodiums, the hardy species 
of which may all be grown. Hymenophyllums and Trichomanes require but little 
soil ; they thrive best fastened on a piece of porous stone, over which has been 
shaken a little sand. They should always be covered with a glass, and kept very 
moist and shaded, being inhabitants of wet dripping rocks. Many of the other 
small species grow in drier situations, even on sunny walls, but they are always 
finer in the shade ; from such situations they are difficult to remove, owing to the 
roots penetrating the crevices of the wall or rock, and take a long time to get 
thoroughly established in a new situation. The Botrychiums are also removed 
with difficulty ; they require a good drainage. 
Fern Houses . — The plan adopted by Mr. Ward, of Wellclose square, 
London, is deserving of particular attention from many causes, independent 
of the cultivation of the Ferns. The principle established by this excellent and 
well-known botanist is, that a constant renewal of air is not necessary for the 
well-being of plants. Thus if a plant be inclosed in a glass case, watered, and 
then the case closed up air-tight, the moisture which evaporates having no means 
of flying off will be condensed on the sides of the case, and trickling down will 
moisten the plants a second time, only to be evaporated and condensed again and 
again each succeeding day. Also, the air which is necessarily included in the cases 
does not become unfit for the use of the plant. That these are established facts 
may be easily proved by planting a Fern or a Moss in a phial, well corking and 
sealing the phial, and suffering it to remain in this state for a length of time. 
This may appear curious rather than useful, and on so small a scale as that of a 
phial it really is so ; but the same principle holds good to any convenient extent, 
and a glass jar of many gallons, or a box with a glass top of any moderate size, 
may be thus stored with numerous plants, and made to form a highly interesting 
parlour ornament, and that without the plants requiring the least care or attention, 
