164 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
will be free from the injurious influence of 
soddened soil. Stone, wood, and clay are natural 
materials for Fern-cases; and terra cotta, as an 
imitation of stone, may be placed in the same 
category. In cases constructed of these materials 
provision is generally made for drainage, and 
whenever it is omitted the omission should always 
be supplied by the drilling of holes in the bottoms 
of the cases. 
The almost universal use of clay pots for 
flowers attests the popularity of these cheap 
utensils; and perhaps there is no material so free 
from objection for the purpose of the home culti¬ 
vation of Ferns, if we except stone, which is 
equally good. Every one is, of course, familiar 
with the common red flower-pots. But the clay, 
figured Fern-pots are not so commonly seen. 
They are made, however, after all kinds of 
designs, and are extremely useful. The most 
appropriate of the numerous designs for clay 
Fern-pans are those figured on their sides with 
Ferns. These pans are of all kinds, shapes, and 
sizes, adapted to Ferns both large and small. 
There are clay hanging pans, which can be sus- 
