WINDOW GARDENING. 



169 



Avoid too much moisture. If there should be too much inside the case, open 

 it daily until a little has evaporated into the outer air, and then close again. It 

 will not need watering or opening again for a month or more. 



Plants for The Fern Case. 



In arranging your plants place the strongest growers in the centre, and the 

 smaller at the sides. 



Besides standard plants in the fernery, there are often introduced little hang- 

 ing plants suspended from the top of the glass frame. Plants for this purpose 

 are simply taken out of their pots, their balls of earth are surrounded with 

 moss, tied with copper wire, a loop running from which is fastened into a hook 

 in the top, and then it becomes a 

 miniature hanging basket. In Eng- 

 land small potsof gutta percha are 

 manufactured for this express pur- 

 pose. 



You will perhaps be advised by 

 some florists not to choose for your 

 fern case anj' of our native plants, 

 because it is difficult to transplant 

 them from their native soil, just at 

 close of summer when they have 

 done growing, and compel them to 

 continue life continuously there- 

 after, in opposition to their nature, 

 which demands rest during the 

 winter season. Nevertheless it is 

 done, and many a pretty fern case 

 is indebted to some plant treasure 

 of this character stolen from Syl- 

 va's bowery retreats, to grace the 

 setting room ; they still thrive, de- 

 spite the prognostications of wise Fig. 49.— Parlor Fern stand covered with Glass. 



heads as to failure. The LygocUum Palmatum, or Climbing Fern, is very suit- 

 able, and can be usually found in shady or moist spots in any of our Ea.stern 

 States. It has a slender running root and stalk, from which proceed twining 

 flexible stems, with very smooth palmate leaves or frondlets; these running 

 stems or stalks are ofteh three feet long, and the whole plant resembles in growth 

 a delicate little Ivy. Besides its suitableness for the Fern Case, it is especially 

 desirable for Rock Work in a conservatory. 



The Partridge Vine, (Mitchella,) is also invaluable, for its brilliant scarlet 

 berries enliven the sober green of the ferns or form an excellent contrast with 

 the mosses. Take up large vines of it, with as many berries as you can procure ; 



