ABOUT SOIL FOB FERNS. 
249 
stratum of what is called loam—a sort of clayey 
earth, existing under varying circumstances in 
varying degrees of lightness or heaviness. 
Those who may wish to learn the secret of the 
luxuriance of Ferns in a forest, would do well to 
study the exact position as regards soil which 
these plants occupy, and to compare their varying 
degrees of prosperity with the varying circum¬ 
stances of their growth. If this be done, it will 
invariably be found that the lower sides of the 
Ferns are embedded in peat or loam, or a mixture 
of the two, whilst the upper parts are surrounded 
by deposits of leaf-mould. The first-mentioned 
soils chiefly furnish the moisture required by the 
roots and rootlets; the leaf-mould supplies the 
chief part of the nutriment. The particular pre¬ 
ference of particular Ferns for heavier or lighter 
subsoils of loam will be shown in the suggestions 
which will be offered in the succeeding pages-— 
for the successful culture of the various species 
of our native Ferns. 
It may happen, however, that access to a wood 
or forest is not easily secured, and that the rough 
soil of the garden—with such sandy loam as can 
Q 2 
