[FOR THE USE OF MEMBERS.] 
Ropal FJustituttor of Great Britain. 
1854. 
WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, 
Friday, March 17. 
Sir Joun P, Bortzav, Bart. F.R.S. F.S.A. Vice-President, 
in the Chair. 
SrepHen H. Warp, M.D. Lonp. 
On the Growth of Plants in Closely-glazed Cases. 
Havine glanced at the various causes, the soot, dust, deleterious 
gases, and cold, drying winds, which interfere with the growth of 
plants in cities and towns, the Lecturer noticed the incident 
which, in the year 1829, led Mr. Ward to discover a remedy 
in the ‘‘ closely-glazed cases.” 
In the principle and construction of the Wardian cases there is 
no mystery whatever. The principle is, the exclusion from the 
plants of deleterious influences and agents, the admission and reten- 
tion of those that are necessary; and it is realized in a common 
stoppered bottle, a garden-pot, or a pan covered with a bell-glass, 
or a trough surmounted by a glazed frame-work. Nothing can be 
more erroneous than the notion which has been entertained, even 
by educated persons, that these cases are hermetically sealed, and 
that the plants live without air. Closely-glazed the cases are and 
should be, but not closed. Closed only to adverse, open to genial 
and indispensable influences. Excluding soot and dust and the 
deleterious gases entangled in smoke, guarding against sudden 
changes of temperature and drying winds, preserving the nutritious 
aqueous vapour, admitting light, and subtly, but certainly in obe- 
dience to the diffusion law, such renewal of air as is required by the 
plants. 
The construction of a case is very simple and is easily effected. 
The trough may be made of any material, wood tarred within, 
earthenware, or zinc; the last being perhaps preferable. To this 
a bell-glass or glazed frame-work is to be nicely adapted; and, 
supposing that ferns are to be grown in the case, the mode of 
arrangement is as follows. Into the bottom of the trough are 
thrown pieces of stone, potsherds, &c.; upon this a mixture of 
peat-mould and loam up to the level of the trough, and on the 
* surface any artificial elevation or picturesque rock-work. The ferns 
are then planted, the mould is well saturated with water, the glass 
No. 19. GG 
