WINDOW GAEDENING. 



161 



any knowledge of it, but it is one of the few things which in time will be as pop- 

 ular as flowers themselves are, and every window will be decorated with their 

 presence. 



It has been an invaluable means of introducing to the floral world, and suc- 

 cessfully growing many most delicate plants from the tropics which otherwise 

 would scarcely ever have been seen out of their native haunts. By its use the 

 Botanist has been enabled to transport plants to and from great distances thi'ough 

 extremes of climate; and yet so unfailing has been the working of it thnt cases 

 judiciously planted have been known 

 to maintain their freshness and vigor 

 for nine years, and no air or water 

 was ever supplied in that time. 



It is quite curious to watch its 

 operation, and to many it is evidently 

 as mucn of an enigma as a plea- 

 sure. 



Apparently, moisture is constantly 

 being condensed and deposited on 

 the glass sides of the case. This 

 supplies the plants within, who give 

 it out again, and j'et none escapes ; 

 thus affording the spectacle of a little 

 world by itself. 



This moisture is very desirable for 

 the growth of ferns, and in no other 

 form can they be so successfully and 

 evenl}'^ maintained as here ; nor can 

 any other variety of plants furnish 

 so interesting a study. 



The Lycopodiums are very suitable 

 and grow very satisfactorily. They 

 drop their pendant roots, and, under 

 tlie influence of the moisture, spread 

 lapidly along the surface of the earth 

 ill. the case, and filling up the bare 

 spots, make a velvety covering of light 

 feathery gieen, thus inducing shade 

 and moisture. F,„ 41 _4 pern Vase 



Countless seedlings of ferns and lycopodiums will spring up, of the different 

 varieties, and their unfolding fronds and subsequent development will be exceed- 

 ingly interesting to you. You will be agreeably astonished and surprised when 

 some fern, supposed by you to be dead, suddenly raises its head above the sur- 

 face and shoots rapidly upward to let you see its vitality is not to be questioned. 



As a pleasure, then, the Wardian case deserves a cordial reception ; but it will 

 11 



