-.^^^^^ 



WINDOW GARDENING. 



" It would bo of little utility for us to attempt giving specimens of such apparatus ; 

 the description given shows the principle completely. AVc may, however, remark 

 that porcelain dishes might he made with a shallow groove within their rim, into 

 which the glass shade might be made to fit, both for the exclusion of air and also to 

 prevent the evaporation from the water from mixing with the air in the room ; — not, 

 however, that the small quantity of aqueous matter discharged by evaporation from 

 such dishes would at all atlect the air of a large sitting-room ; perhaps it would rather 

 have a beneficial eftect, especially in winter, when large fires are maintained, which, it 

 is well known, rob the air of a room of its moisture, and render it unwholesome for 

 the inmates. 



" Closely connected with Wardian Cases is the subject of plant tables for rooms, 

 certainly a department of drawing-room furniture hitherto much neglected. The 

 following specimens may aflord ideas for further improve- 

 ment, should they not be sufficiently complete in themselves. 

 " Fig. 12 is a flower-basket of wirework painted green ; or, 

 still better, the basket-work part may be made of brass wire, 

 and left of its natural color. It is mounted upon a maho- 

 gany or oak clawed pedestal set on castors. A shallow zinc 

 tray is placed within, to prevent the water that may pass 

 through the pots from falling on the carpet. This tray, like 

 all others used for the same purpose, as well as in Wardian 

 cases, should have a small waste-pipe attached to the lower 

 part of its bottom, and regulated by a brass cock, so placed, 

 and of such a size, as not to be seen from any part of the room. This is intended for 

 withdrawing the water that may accumulate in them, and so preventing its overflow- 

 ing, as it may not be convenient at all times to remove the whole of the plants out of 

 the table. The plants are to be packed in moss, kept perfectly green and fresh on 

 the surface. 



"Figs. 13 and 14 are more adapted for cut flowers than for plants 

 in pots. They are made water-tight within, with the usual provision 

 for drawing it ofi" every day, that fresh water may be supplied. The 

 top is covered with a portable fine brass-wire grating, the meshes 



being about half an inch square, 

 to support the flowers, and to 

 keep them in an upright posi- 

 tion. Fig. 15 is an example 

 entirely composed of mahogany, 

 rosewood, satin-wood, or oak, 

 according to fancy. 



Fiff. 12. 



Fig. 13. 

 The interior of the box is 

 lined with thin lead, zinc, or copper, and provided 

 with a waste-pipe. The basket-work round the 

 top, in this case, should be brass, rolling rather 

 outwards at top, and only from four to six inches 



