FERNS ON THE LAWN. 
175 
to build a rockery so that provision might be made 
for drainage. If the ground should be paved or 
flagged the surface stones must be taken away, 
the earth or gravel underneath loosened by spade 
or pickaxe, and some Fern soil thrown down. 
Then upon this substratum must be placed some 
rough-hewn blocks of stone, filling in on the top 
with soil firmly pressed down. Then more blocks, 
but of smaller size, Fern soil once more on these, 
and so on by gradation until a rockery has been 
built up. Where necessary, cement may be used 
to give firmness and stability to the structure, but 
most frequently the weight of the stones used, if 
they are skilfully adjusted in their places and 
suitably selected, will suffice to keep them firmly in 
place. 
Should a house face south, and possess a lawn 
at its rear with space enough for a summer-house, 
the accompanying illustration (page 176) will show 
how on two sides of the summer-house shady 
corners will be made, inviting the Fern-lover to fill 
them with rockery for Ferns. How often we find 
that such corners are left entirely unoccupied ! 
Yet do we not see how much the surroundings of 
