  A linear stability analysis of the free surface of a horizontally unbounded
ferrofluid layer of arbitrary depth subjected to vertical vibrations and a
horizontal magnetic field is performed. A nonmonotonic dependence of the
stability threshold on the magnetic field is found at high frequencies of the
vibrations. The reasons of the decrease of the critical acceleration amplitude
caused by a horizontal magnetic field are discussed. It is revealed that the
magnetic field can be used to select the first unstable pattern of Faraday
waves. In particular, a rhombic pattern as a superposition of two different
oblique rolls can occur. A scaling law is presented which maps all data into
one graph for the tested range of viscosities, frequencies, magnetic fields and
layer thicknesses.
