THE FERN PARADISE. 
the recent increase in the delightful practice is no 
doubt due to the same cause. Our big towns and 
cities have been acquiring an accelerated rate of 
growth. Houses have thus, by a rapid process of 
extension, been blotting out the green fields and 
hedgerows. In London this process has perhaps 
acquired a greater degree of development than 
elsewhere ; but, wherever it has been in operation, 
the withdrawal of the country has increased the 
desire of those who have thus been gradually 
enfolded more and more completely within the 
stifling domain of bricks and mortar, to compen- 
sate for the absence of green fields by surrounding 
themselves with something which is fresh and 
green. 
To a certain extent this desire has been met by 
the formation of parks or public gardens within 
central and densely-populated town districts ; but 
the requirements of health and enjoyment have 
not been sufficiently met by such means, the 
number of public gardens in the Metropolis and 
elsewhere being far too small. 
Next to the public parks and gardens the 
gardens of dwelling-houses in town districts help 
28 
