SOIL AND ASPECT 
53 
character namely, light, porous, and largely composed either 
of vegetable mould, or of vegetable fibres, yet that varying 
proportions of the elements of such soil are required by the 
various species, or rather in a general way, by the various 
genera, for it is often found that at least several species of a 
particular genus will accommodate themselves to the same 
soil, the same aspect, and the same general treatment. 
Under that section of this volume devoted to British 
Ferns, specific information will be given as to the soil 
required by each species. 
Peat or bog earth must be one principal ingredient in most 
Fern soils. This can be obtained from any peat bog, and 
the best part of the soil is the ‘ top-crust,’ and the black 
earth which is found immediately under the ‘ top-crust.’ The 
black earth is a rich vegetable compost, the ‘ crust ’ is light, 
turfy, spongy, and largely composed of vegetable fibres 
intermixed with vegetable earth. A valuable ingredient in 
Fern soil, also, is the top-crust of a common, or down, on 
which heather grows. Such a crust is usually fibrous and 
light. 
Leaf-mould from woods and forests, formed by the decay- 
ing leaves which annually fall from the trees, is another 
indispensable and most valuable element in most Fern soils. 
Lastly, rich sandy loam is often required for admixture 
with leaf-mould or peat, and this is best when obtained 
from the surface of a common. 
It is believed by some writers, that the quality of the soil 
in which Ferns delight is not of so much importance as its 
capacity to retain moisture, or to keep the roots well drained. 
But from this opinion we emphatically dissent, believing, 
as we do, that on the poorness or richness of the vege- 
table elements in the soil, largely depend the growth and 
development of the Ferns planted in it. 
Finally, we would remark that although there are several 
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