A FERN PARADISE AT HOME. 
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out upon nothing but brick walls, which tower up 
high and blot out the sun’s rays. The occupants 
of these houses are often bound, by the exigencies 
of business, to make their homes for weary months 
in these shadowy dwelling-places. 
Why, then, do they not bring the beautiful ferns 
into requisition ? What exquisite grace would be 
shed over every room in a house, if every available 
space were occupied by the feathery fronds of these 
beautiful plants ! — on tables and sideboards ; on 
mantelpieces and on window-sills; hanging from 
window-rods ; on the landing of the stairs ; in the 
hall ; in the bed-rooms — everywhere in fact. Why 
not ? Without any curtailment of necessary space, 
without any inconvenience, these beautiful plants 
might be so arranged as that every house, “ be it 
never so humble,” might become a “Fern Paradise.” 
The hardier kinds, if kept within doors, will survive 
the winter, and look fresh and green throughout ; 
and the more delicate and fragile of the species 
may be preserved in all their natural freshness 
under a covering of glass. Plant them in a case, 
and cover them with a shade, and then you will 
