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(not stagnant) water, nearly all the English Eerns may be
grown.
It will, as a matter of course, suggest itself to the planter,
that the most sunny, most exposed, and least moistened
positions on the rockwork should be appropriated to those
species which grow naturally in situations to which these
conditions afford the nearest resemblance; while, on the
other hand, the kinds which naturally prefer the deepest
shade and the dampest soil, should be placed in the positions
where these conditions are most nearly imitated.
Perhaps, however, the most interesting occupation for the
amateur in Eerns consists in the cultivation of them under
glass, either in pots, or planted in a Wardian case. All the
species admit of being grown in pots, and when developed
under the protection of a covering of glass, acquire more
than their natural delicacy of appearance.
Eor general purposes the frame or case in which they
are grown should have a northern aspect; the eastern and
western aspects are less favourable, though with attention
to shading duiing sunny weather, they may be adopted, and
are at least much preferable to the southern, even with the
advantage of shading. It is the heat, no less than the
brightness of such an aspect, which is to be avoided; and
therefore, for all practical purposes, the nearer the situation
in which they are grown approaches the northern aspect,
the better. The plants must be kept cool in summer, by
shading, by sprinkling, by not quite closing the frame in
the day-time, and by removing all impediments to a free
circulation of air all night.
Wardian cases for Ferns, in which they may be planted
out on rockwork, may be either of the size and nature of a
small detached greenhouse, or of those window or balcony
greenhouses made by enclosing within a projecting sash, a
greater or smaller area external to the window, or they may
be of smaller size and more finished workmanship, for the
interior of dwelling rooms, for stair-case landings, or any
other situations within-doors, where they can be moderately
lighted.
As a general rule, Eerns under cultivation do not require
any manure. The most proper soil for them consists of the
native earths called peat or bog earth, and sandy loam,
mixed in about equal proportions, with a further admixture
equal to an eighth of the whole mass for the coarser sorts,
and of a fourth of the whole mass for the more delicate
sorts, of any clean sharp grit, which is used for the purpose
of preventing the too close adhesion and consolidation of
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