THE FERN PARADISE. 
to be useful, he must adopt the humble role of 
an apologist, and give such preliminary explana- 
tions of the object which he proposes to accom- 
plish as may secure for him a patient hearing on 
the part of those whom he desires to please and 
to benefit. 
The earnest purpose of this volume, then, 
is that it may assist in developing the popular 
taste for Ferns in such a way as to lead to the 
more extensive cultivation of these graceful and 
beautiful plants in our gardens and in our dwell- 
ing-houses ; nay, even so far as such an arrange- 
ment would be practicable, in our places of 
business, wherever they may be. 
The Author claims to have originated the idea 
which these pages will unfold. He has noticed — 
and many others have doubtless done the same — 
that within recent years there has been in our 
cities and towns a great development in the 
practice of what is called 4 window gardening.’ 
This practice has not been confined to the humbler 
classes. Ficli and poor have come now to adopt 
‘ window gardening ’ to a much greater extent 
than formerly ; and, so far as the poor are con- 
26 
