404 



ON GROWING PLANTS IN WARD'S CASES. 



which is both absurd and impossible. We 

 have seen growing in these cases Linnaea 

 borealis, Primroses, Ferns, Geraniums, 

 Dentarias, Mimulus moschatus. Fuchsias, 

 Cacti, Mosses, Camellias, all sorts of Alpine 

 plants, Crocusses, Hyacinths, Azaleas, Win- 

 ter Aconites, and many more." 



To these remarks of Drs. Lindley and 

 Harris, we would add, that roses, small or- 

 ange trees, or any other plants of suitable 

 size, may be successfully and beautifully 

 grown, kept free from dust, and in an at- 

 mosphere uniformly moist and congenial to 

 vegetable development. Those who can 

 procure Mr. Ward's pamphlet* should do 

 so. It contains all the information that can 

 be given, and is written in a plain, intelli- 

 gible style. Exclusion of the air was not 

 the object aimed at by Mr. Ward in his ad- 

 mirable contrivance. He could not have 

 effected this in any other way, than by 

 hermetically sealing every chink and crack. 

 What he wanted was uniform moisture, a 

 still atmosphere, and exclusion of dust and 

 soot ; these ends he has secured. 



In the case described by Dr. Harris, the 

 greater number of the plants were Orchi- 

 deca. These we have italicized, and con- 

 sider them well worthy the attention of our 

 amateur gardeners ; not only for their sin- 

 gularity, but also for their exquisite beauty 

 and the sweet odor of their flowers. They 

 are easily grown in pots, baskets, shells, or 

 on rough blocks of wood ; in this last form, 

 they are very interesting and thrive admi- 

 rably. 



Will the plants bloom as freely and fully 

 in the cases as elsewhere ? Yes, quite as 

 much, if not more so ; and the beauty of 

 the flowers is greatly heightened by the 

 clean and healthy looking foliage. To put 

 in or take out the plants, a door is necessa- 



* On the Growih of PUinls in Closely glazrd Cases; by N. 

 B Ward. Bvo. 1842. Wiley & Putnam inny have il. 



ry, and may be placed wherever most con- 

 venient. 



To your correspondent's inquiries we have 

 now replied, and given drawings by which 

 he or any one else can have a plain or very 

 handsome Ward's Case constructed. As 

 E. G. says, — "it is the very article needed 

 in our parlors and sitting-rooms, to take the 

 place of the pots and other vessels by which 

 our windows are now encumbered and sul- 

 lied." 



There are, however, says Dr. Lindley, 

 some difficulties in the way of growing 

 plants in close moist cases, which amateurs 

 unacquainted with the nature of vegetable 

 life are unable to overcome ; but which a 

 sensible gardener, who does not belong to 

 the " drowsy" school, would easily remove. 

 Among these difficulties, the principal one 

 is the adjustment of the amount of moisture 

 to which the plants are exposed in the ca- 

 ses; also to the surrounding heat, and to 

 their own proper nature. Another is the 

 prevention of dew upon the inside of the 

 glass, by which the interior is frequently 

 entirely hidden. These are practical em- 

 barrassments that must be met by the skill 

 and ingenuity of cultivators. As each plant 

 which is put in a Ward's Case requires, or 

 can bear, a greater or less amount of mois- 

 ture, the regulation of the quantity of this 

 agent becomes highly important to their 

 health and vigor. Intelligence and reflec- 

 tion must lend their aid in guarding against 

 an excess or deficiency; and this can only 

 be eflfectuahy accomplished by careful ob- 

 servation and close watching. As to the 

 deposit of devvr upon the inside, we may re- 

 mark, that since this is owing to the out- 

 side of the case being colder than the air 

 that it surrounds, the only course to take is 

 either to warm the external air by some 

 means, or to open the door in the case for a 

 short time ; and as the latter is the more 



