INTRODUCTORY. 
culture c will be an increased attention to the 
capabilities of the Fern in decoration/ and ex- 
pressing the hope that we may soon have £ Fern 
paradises in every city.’ 
How far the Author’s suggestions may be made 
to affect the poor, is a consideration which must 
possess a good deal of interest for the philan- 
thropic. There is no class of persons so in- 
timately and largely concerned with the welfare 
of the poor as the clergy, and it will be appro- 
priate, therefore, to refer in this place to the 
remarks of a journal which in an especial sense 
represents the clergy. Says a writer in this 
journal, — ‘ A very happy idea has given rise to 
* The Fern Paradise/ Mr. Heath has noticed, 
with a keen eye of sympathy, the efforts made 
by poor dwellers in towns to reproduce in their 
windows or courts the floral charms of the 
country. But these efforts are commonly con- 
fined to flowers. Why should not Ferns be 
added ? They will grow everywhere, and they 
do not need sunshine. He has accordingly 
written this book chiefly to induce an interest 
for them among this class, and to give direc- 
5i 
