BRITISH FERNS. 
33 
a space may be made in the upper soil of the “ fernery,” 
lined with damp bog-moss (Sphagnum), the fern placed 
in and embedded with a light peaty soil. Trusting, how¬ 
ever, that our readers wish for complete success, we 
suggest that they use the following plan : In the case of 
small ferns, when you collect, it is better to take a few 
halves of cocoa-nut shells or cocoa-nut fibre, also a good 
strong trowel and geological hammer. Having thus 
provided against difficulties, we start on our imaginary 
journey to collect a few of the common British ferns. 
We collected the following species, and made a note of 
the soil and habitat as we found them growing:— 
Maiden-hair Fern—Loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand, 
mixed pieces of sandstone for subsoil; find this grows 
well if planted in cocoa-nut shells, and hung on damp 
wall, west aspect. 
Hard Fern—Stiff clayey soil; the only fern that grows 
well in this soil, or in loam and peat; on rockwork, 
north side; give plenty of air and moisture. 
Brake Fern—Grows well in peat, or earth taken from 
a heath or common; in taking it from its habitat use 
great care. 
c 
