178 



WINDOW GARDENING. 



heat can be raised to any degree up to 90°. The cases are of two sizes, the larger 

 ones being about four feet long, by two wide, and two high, while the boxes on 

 which the glassed frames rest are eight inches deep. The boxes are lined with 

 zinc, and fitted with hot water apparatus. No lamp or any heater is required, 

 hot water only being used, which is poured in through a concealed opening from 

 without, and when cold is let off by another opening. 



This water maintains the temperature at a height 

 sufficient for most plants for twenty-four hours without 

 refilling; but when greater heat is required it can be 

 raised to any degree from 65° to 90°, by adding more 

 hot water after the first twelve hours. The upper 

 glass sash is movable, and by a button or hook is 

 lifted at any time ventilation is needed or you wish to 

 examine the plants. This principle of heating the case 

 is principally for the sake of bringing into flower and 

 keeping in good health manj'^ tender stove plants, as well 

 as other delicate plants which cannot stand either a cool 

 or a dry atmosphere." 

 Fig. 61. The general outline and construction of Miss Maling's 



plant case is very similar to the " home made case" we have previously des- 

 cribed. Heating will be unnecessary if amatures will only choose but the 

 ordinary native or greenhouse ferns, and keep the case well closed away from 

 cold air. 



But it seems to us if the case is to be heated at all, 

 it should be divided into two apartments, one end for 

 plants needing the waim temperature, the other for 

 the cool temperature, or else put no plants in the case 

 unless they are all to be treated alike. 



Whenever, in the mind of a beginner, there appears 

 to be a doubt as to what to choose, take the Lycopodium 

 denticidatum, and other varieties of i. caesium, apodum, 

 heloctica, or variabilis will always appear to advantage ; 

 also the Pteris cretica alho lineata, or Cyrtomium fal- 

 catum, do remarkably well, being very strong growers." 

 These Fern Pillars are also made of Terra Gotta, in 



^ England, with openings in appropriate places for set- 



Fig. 62. ting in the bricks. The columns are also constructed 



as to permit a glass screen to shut completely over them and rest upon the base, 

 thus giving the same effect as a Wardian Case. Fig. 49 shows another design on 

 a table, with a glass top also. Fig. 50 shows one of the largest styles of fern 

 bricks, as it rests fitted into a fire screen. 



Fig. 51 is much more elaborate, and shows what may be done either in the side 

 of a wall or a conservatory, or to occupy a large fire place. These are made 



