270 The Hardlan or Pern Case. 



the plants, put the high bell-sliaped glass over it, and place it upon a small center 

 table. 



For growing two or three ferns and a Lycopodium for a parlor table, a large soup 

 plate, filled with the plants and some bright wood-moss to cover the earth and the 

 edge of the plate, then cover with the glass, is very pretty. 



For a bay window or a niche in a shaded parlor, what more lovely ornament than 

 a hanging fernery filled with bright green foliage can be imagined. 



In the first place put a layer of charcoal in the bottom of the zinc pan — the pan 

 should be three or four inches deep — have a .quantity of fine green wood-moss on 

 hand, and cover all the edges of soil with it, mix good leaf mould with about one- 

 third sand, and press the plants firmly down as you place them in. 



Do not plant too near together — those growing the largest should be placed near 

 the center, unless some little fancy design is intended — a grotto, lake, bridge, mossy 

 bank, with statuary or deer can be added with fine effect. 



First, get a few choice ferns from the greenhouse, among them the gold and silver 

 fern and the beautiful Maiden-hair, then add our native ferns, but do not expect 

 them to retain their beauty during the severe cold of winter, for they must have a 

 season of rest from December until the middle of February, At that time they 

 begin to send up their graceful fronds, and it is a great pleasure to watch their prog- 

 ress upwards, as they often grow two inches in a night. We have but one evergreen 

 fern that I know of, and that is a pretty dwarf one, that grows in great abundance 

 around Devil's lake. I believe there are two or three other kinds growing in the 

 northern part of the State among the pines, but they are seldom seen here. Lyco- 

 podiums, Bignonia in variety, Achyranthes, Ficus stipulata, Tradescantia zebrina, 

 Coleus, Cranberry, Sagittaria, Hepatica, Trailing Arbutus and many other plants 

 can be grown finely in the Wardian case, A climbing fern is very beautiful placed 

 in a corner and allowed full liberty to grow as it pleases. Scotch Heath succeeds 

 well, grown under glass. 



Arrange the surface as your taste would dictate ; some prefer little mounds, and 

 others prefer it level ; cover the soil with the prettiest variety of wood-mosses that 

 can be found. We can find in this vicinity at least twenty green and brown mosses 

 (but do not use lichens, as they mould under glass). If spots of mould appear on 

 the moss, give air for an hour or two a few times, and they will soon be bright and 

 velvety. Water freely, and if, in the morning, the water stands in great beads upon 

 the inside of the case, it is sufficient. Do not water again for six months or longer. 

 Let the sun shine upon it for a short time each day, unless the sun is very hot. 



It is not necessary to go to the greenhouse to get plants to stock our cases, unless 

 we prefer to do so; for if we will traverse our woods and marshes, with botanical 

 eyes, we shall find there are many rare and beautiful flowers, ferns and vines that fill 

 conservatories for thousands to admire, on another continent, 



I hope that we shall see the number of ferneries largely multiplied, for no little 

 outlay of money can gratify one alive to the beauties of nature more than this little 

 drop of sunshine, which is a perpetual reminder of green woods and running streams, 

 and of Him who is the maker of this world, and of His wonderful works. 



