INTRODUCTION TO FERN CULTURE 
49 
of flowerless plants. Should the Fern lover be the possessor 
of a garden and conservatory he will have facilities for 
growing the whole of our native species ; and the necessary 
outlay need not be great. If he have no garden, and but a 
few yards of space which Ire may call his own adjoining his 
dwelling, he can, even if this space be away from the sun- 
shine and consequently uncongenial for the growth of flowers, 
fill it with some species of hardy Ferns. If he possess no 
space either as garden or yard outside his dwelling he can 
fill his rooms with ferny forms. Every shady window may 
have its tiny Fern garden, as every sunny window may have 
its miniature garden of flowers : and in various ways and by 
various contrivances the whole interior of his house may be 
ornamented and made beautiful by growing Ferns each in 
its appropriate nook. 
It will be the object of the succeeding papers to show in 
detail how Fern culture in all its branches can be best 
pursued. Here in conclusion we would once more urge upon 
the Fern lover the importance of remembering that the more 
closely he studies the habits of his favourites in their native 
wilds, the more complete will be his success in the home 
cultivation of these beautiful plants. As a clever and genial 
living writer has beautifully remarked, ‘ Ferns, like most 
things in Nature, are sensitive to thoughtful tenderness, and 
repay that consideration which consists, not in expensive 
outlay, but rather in loving study of a plant’s likings and 
di si i kings.’ 
Mark closely and lovingly the home of the Fern on 
mountain side, in mossy cell, on wooded slope, on the soft 
margin of the babbling stream, or by the torrent’s foaming 
course ! Mark it in the still moist depths of the forest, or 
where on forest glades and breezy heaths its feathery foliage 
waves softly in the wind! Marie how Nature nurses its 
incipient form, how tenderly she shelters its graceful after- 
