The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-07-19
Garden Fernery.

Garden Fernery.
One OF the prevailing fashions in
the Horticultural worEi Of the day IS
the cultivation Of exotic fe-ns either
in conservatories OF in the dwelling
house, under glass shades, or in War
dian cases. This of course, devolves
more or less care, on the owner, un-
less a gardener is employed, for they
need constant attendance, a days ne
glect in watering them frequently
blighted ali their beauty for the sea
son, and sometimes even destroying
tnem altogether \ taste sOr these
delicacies and beautiful plants is
sure index Of growth in aesthetic
culture. as their beauty insists en-
tirely in form, without the aid OF any
meretrieious effects produced BY
color Unfortunately il is not every
one who can afford TO keep a green
house, or whose domestic or business
arrangements will permit him 10 de-
vote the necessary time to the care Of
the plants therein Yet it is not re-
ally necessary to have a greenhouse
in order TO Indulge iG this luxury, for
there are large numbers Of ele-
CANT ferns, both native and exotic,
which are quite hardy. aud can be
grown in the open garden and left
out all winter.
The prevailing idea that al ferns
must be grown in peat soil and sand,
or, if grown in the open border, that
it mus, at great trouble and expense
be made Of such materials, is a fall
lacy for nearly all hardy ferns can
be grown in any ordinary soil, from
a sandy loan to still clay, provided
it Is free from animal manure and re-
tentive Of moisture. In our own
garden We have a small collection Of
Japanese aud other hardy ferns grow
ing in a border Of heavy soil az the
foot Of bank Of earth three or four
feet high, on the top OF which are
some shrubs. These cast some shade
on the bed below during the hottest
part Of the day, and the plants -four
ish and grow luXuriantly, and are ad-
mired by all visitors.
Neither is it necessary to have
rOekery constructed for their cultiva-
ton we have never seen one 10 this
country that was really satisfactory,
unless 1t was supplied with q jet Of
water or similar appliance to keep
the soil moist Being raised above
the level Of the surrounding soil like
a mound, the hot dry air OF our sum
mer months heats the comparatively
small stones of which it is composed,
and he moisture in the soil is soon
and rapidly dried out and if there
is one thing more injurious than
another to ferns, it il allowing the
roots to become dry. Ii for the sake
Of any picturesque effect it is desira-
Die to have a roekery, or TO aec0mmo-
date any species which grows on
rocks, the stones should be inserted
into the soil or laid upon it at It's nat
ural level, and never raised above It,
Stones are sometimes useful, when
laid on the surface, in retaining m0is-
ure and keeping the soil cool. but in
all cases shade is necessary, for if the
stones are exposed to the iuIl rays Of
the sun, they become greatly heated,
and give out this heat at night, which
is annother unnatural condition TO
ferns for as almost every one may
have noticed. the habits OF ferns are
generally, if not always, the coolest
part Of the woods at night.
Any Of our lady friends who ad-
mire these lovely plants, and having
a border protected by the shadows
OF shrubs cast over il, not SHADED By
oyerhanging foliage, rlay indulge her
tastes By making a collection Of such
Of our hardy and native ferns az
grow in her neiehborhOOd II bor-
der shaded by shrubs is not to be bad,
the north side Of fence or building
will answer the purpose.
The ferns may be dag now from
their native habitat and transplanted
into the border at a0y time during
the summer, care being taken 20 iift
them with a god supply OF roots,
and keep them from getting dry.
This is most readily done by laying
them in basket and covering them
with damp moss as they are taken up.
After they arr planted in the border,
hey should have a liberal supply Of
water. In the autumn after the tol-
age has died down, they should have
i covering Of two or three inches Of
caves. which must be removed early
n the spring
Many Of our native species are
luite rare, and all are possessed Of
yreat beauty hunting for them will
i've many pleasant and delightful
amble in the woods, and their cult
-a,ion will well repay any little
ronbIe or fatigue in obtaining them.