24 
The Fern Garden . 
CHAPTER V. 
CULTIVATION OF MARSH FERNS. 
HIS will be a very short chapter, just because 
there are no marsh ferns. I remarked as much 
in Chapter III, and pointed out that the most 
moisture-loving of them managed usually to keep out 
of the water. But you may wish to plant some ferns 
beside a stream, or on an islet, or near a fountain, or 
in some other peculiarly damp position, and it will be 
proper here to name the most suitable. 
Osmunda regalis, the royal fern, delights in moisture, 
especially if it is growing in a great bed of spongy 
peat. With such aids and a warm climate it will 
overtop the tallest man, but if it only attains a height 
of five feet, it is a noble object, as much like a palm 
as any plant of English growth. 
Athyrium Filix fcemina , the lady fern, delights in a 
similar position. This has no palm-like aspect, but is 
rather to be compared with a plume of ostrich feathers 
of the most intense and delicate tint of yellowish green. 
Lastrea thelypteris, the female buckler fern, is another 
charming species for a very damp position, and it spreads 
fast, literally carpeting the ground with pale greyish- 
green most delicately textured fronds. 
Blechnum spicant , the hard fern, will attain grand 
