THE HARD FERN 
213 
woods, in a shallow bed of leaf-mould, upon a sub soil of 
clay. Hence in cultivation half the compost may with 
advantage consist of stiff yellow loam, whilst the other half 
may be made up, in equal proportions of peat, leaf-mould 
and sand ; or the Fern may be planted with its ultimate 
rootlets touching a stratum of stiff loam or light clay, whilst 
the surface soil may consist of pure leaf-mould. The position 
which, as to shade and dripping moisture, will best suit the 
Lady Fern will be found admirably to accommodate Bleclmum 
s pic ant. 
