96 
The Fern Garden . 
mellow, loamy or peaty soil, a considerable degree of 
atmospheric humidity, shade from strong sunshine, and, 
in some cases, a very subdued daylight, as the condi- 
tions under which success is most likely to be secured. 
These several requisites are to be considered of the ut- 
most importance in the cultivation of tender ferns, and 
the more so that the farther plants of any kind are 
removed from the circumstances natural to them, the 
more anxious should the cultivator be to provide for all 
their wants. 
It is a common thing to see ferns and flowering 
plants mixed together in the same greenhouse or con- 
servatory. It is quite possible to grow them well when 
so associated, but so few are equal to the task that 
when we meet with ferns and flowers in the same house, 
we usually find one or both in a deplorable condition 
of disease or imperfect development. 
Ferns love shade and flowers love sunshine. Ferns 
thrive best in a still air, flowers usually require a moving 
atmosphere, and many kinds that are most highly 
prized need abundant ventilation. As to atmospheric 
humidity, while ferns with very few exceptions enjoy 
abundance of it, there are not many kinds of flowers 
capable of enduring without injury the degree of 
aerial moisture that would benefit the growth of ferns. 
These are important considerations which we are bound 
to place before the reader at this juncture, for indis- 
criminate associations of plants in stoves and green- 
houses are the causes of many and bitter disappoint- 
ments. While this matter is before us, however, it 
should be said that if due care be exercised, many 
