186 WINDOW GARDENING. 



Fig. 67 is much more symmetrical in shape, and easily made. The frame of this, 

 too, is made mostly of polished brass, and the glass sets down upon a groove 

 made in the top of the stand, which is of wood. The interior is hollow, with a 

 zinc basin for holding plants. 



Fig. 69 is a. Lady's Plant Case, a kind of Wardian case in miniature; and though 

 not affording very spacious accommodations inside, still there is a good deal of 

 novelty in its construction, sufficient to render it a very interesting object for 

 either the drawing room or library. 



A bell glass, or shade, fits closely at its base into a groove running all around 

 the edge of a stand constructed usually of wood. 



The plants inside are in small pots not over four inches in diameter, although 

 the proportions of the case may be enlarged from 18 inches in diameter up to 3 

 feet, and afford greater room. Any manufacturer of glass shades could make 

 such a shade in a special mould, and any cabinet maker could fashion a tasteful 

 table or stand beneath. 



Fiss. 71, 72 are sketches of two very pretty Wardian Cases, exhibited at 

 one of the Horticultural Society Exhibitions, and was much admired. They ad- 

 mit of considerably greater outline than the previous designs of Ferneries, and 

 are more ornamental. Fig. 70 is 7 feet high, 4 feet 2 inches wide, and 2 feet 6 

 inches in breadth. 



Fig. 71 is 4 feet high, 3 feet broad, and I foot 11 inches wide. These are con- 

 structed mostly with bright metalic frame work; the best quality of sheet glass 

 is used; castors are fitted to the base, and at the back there is a little door to 

 allow the entrance of the hand for watering the plants or removing dead leaves. 



Such designs as these, made to cover an entire collection of plants, should be 

 generally adopted, ami their manufacture encouraged. They do away altogether 

 with the daily task of watering, they are absolutely free from dust, and the 

 plants have a perpetual moisture inside, which affords not only the most desirable 

 and uniform temperature, but conduces to health of habit, and freedom from in- 

 sects. Our Window Gardeners must learn by practical experience that there is 

 but one practical solution to the difficulties of Window Gardening, " The plants 

 must lice in an atmosphere to themselves, shut out alike from the air of the 

 room, and from the outer air.'''' 



In apartments lighted with gas, the use of these glass covers or shades is again 

 made obvious, for no gas fumes will ever touch them. 



An opinion is general among amateurs, that these Wardian Cases must be 

 perfectly air tight. This is not quite true ; although they are fitted pretty close, 

 yet they are not absolutely air tight. Indeed it is sometimes quite desirable that 

 the case should be lifted a little to permit a free circulation of the air betwixt 

 the interior and the exterior, especially if there is a surplus of moisture inside, 

 and condenses so constantly upon the glass that the plant cannot be seen. 



A fact may often have been observed by flower lovers, that when two flowers are 

 plucked, the one stuck with its stem into a bottle or vase of water, and the other 

 thrown down into a wide basin of water, so the petals as well as stem are in the 



