FERNS: BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
HISTORY OF INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC FERNS. 
T HOUGH Ferns now occupy a conspicuous place 
in our gardens, and are in high favour with 
cultivators, it is only in comparatively recent times 
that they have been brought into notice. During the 
last century certain classes of plants came into 
fashion, and after a season of popularity again fell 
into disrepute. Thus : Tulips were once the rage. 
At the time of the establishing of the several pro- 
vincial Botanic Gardens, all of which were founded 
upon a strictly botanical footing, though many of them 
have now, to a greater or less extent, degenerated 
into places of amusement, the plants in greatest demand 
were those of our New Holland and Cape colonies, 
principally the Heaths, Proteas, Aloes, and their 
kindred. In after-years dealers obtained large prices 
for Cactuses; but, with the exception of a few of 
the easily-grown and most showy kinds, these are 
now scarcely saleable. Still more recently the magni- 
ficent-flowering Orchids were promoted to the first 
place in our gardens ; and though these may still be 
said to maintain their position, the expense attending 
