AuGusr 1, 1866.] 



SCIENCE. GOSSIP. 



173 



CULTIVATION OF FERNS IN WARD'S 



CASES* 



" rpHE case may be constructed of any shape or 

 ■*- size, according to taste or means ; it can be 

 square or round, an octagon or hexagon ; the roof 

 may be a dome, span, or sloping, but by all means 

 avoid a flat one ; and be the shape whatever it may, 

 the design should in every point be neat, and not of 

 such an ornamental description as to be more attrac- 

 tive than the plants. A very good, interesting col- 

 lection may be grown in one 3 ft. long by 1£ ft. in 

 width, and 24 ft. high ; it will have the best appear- 

 ance if the sides are constructed with single squares 

 of glass ; but if divided, it must not be into more 

 than three, as many divisions spoil the effect ; the 

 ends should be made to open, to enable any dress- 



Fig. 15/. — Ophioglossum vulgatum. a, 

 fertile spike enlarged. 



Portion of 



ing or removing of old fronds to be done con- 

 veniently, and a small piece of perforated zinc 

 should be inserted in the apes, of the roof at each 

 end, which will assist in preventing the almost 

 universal complaint, that the plants cannot be seen 

 for condensed water on the inside of the glass : 

 this is caused by the variation of temperature. If 

 the case stands in the sun or becomes warm inside 

 during the day, and retains the heat, whilst the 

 temperature of the room may fall considerably 



* Ferns, Eritish and Foreign. By John Smith, A.L.S. 



during the night, the cold air, acting upon the 

 glass, condenses the warmer vapour inside and 

 obscures the plants. By the introduction of the 

 above-named remedy, the temperature is more 

 equally balanced, and the plants are always to be 

 clearly seen. Should the air outside become very 

 hot and dry, it will be advisable to close the ven- 

 tilators for a short time during the day. The glass 



Fig. 158. — Royal Fern (Osmunda regulis). 

 b. Portion of frond. 



case should be entirely independent of the soil-box, 

 but to fit the inside, resting in a groove or rabbet. 

 The box should be about 6 in. deep, and may be 

 made of zinc, brass, or wood lined with gutta-percha 



iFig. 159. Scolopendrium vulgare.— Portion of frond. 



or zinc ; but metal of any kind in contact with the 

 earth or air in which plants are grown is not genial 

 to either their roots or foliage. I have always found 



