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better answer your inquiries respecting the growth of plants in such a 

 situation, than by stating what, after more than twenty years' experi- 

 ence, 1 conceive may be effected in a closed case in the worst possible 

 localUy. Old and hackneyed as the subject has now become, 1 will 

 give you, as briefly as possible, the results of my experiments. 

 Having tried in vain to grow plants in my former residence, in one 

 of the most smoky parts of the metropolis, 1 was led by accident to 

 make experiments on their growth in closely-glazed cases, and was 

 delighted to find all my endeavours crowned with success. One of 

 the first practical applications of my plan, was the conveyance of 

 plants to and from di;rtant countries. It would be fruitless to enter 

 into any detail of the hundreds of experiments made with reference 

 to this point. One example will suffice. The Horticultural Society 

 were so convinced of the efficacy of this new plan, that they sent out 

 Mr. Fortune to China with a number of closed cases; and they were 

 not disappointed in their expectation. Whereas in the old mode of 

 conveyance one plant only in a thousand survived the voyage from 

 China to England, two hundred and fifteen out of two hundred and 

 fifty arrived in perfect health by the new method. At present the 

 plan is universally adopted throughout the whole civilized world, and 

 all kinds of plants can be grown in any locality whatever^ provided 

 due attention be paid to their natural conditions, with respect to 

 solar light and temperature. It must likewise be borne in mind that, 

 owing to the quiet condition of the atmosphere in the closed cases, 

 plants, like man, will bear variations of temperature, which in open 

 exposure would prove injurious and even fatal to them. Hence it 

 follows, that numbers of plants belonging to more southern climes will 

 pass through our winters with impunity when surrounded by glass. 

 " Believe me to remain, very sincerely, yours, 



" N. B. Ward. 

 " Claphara Rise, July 9, 1851." 



P.S. — While a proof of the foregoing was in my hands, Mr. Paxton's 

 petition to the House of Lords, for the conversion of the Crystal Pa- 

 lace into a conservatory, was published in the 'Times' (July 12); and 

 as this petition comprises all that has been previously said on the 

 subject, I think that in fairness it should be appended to my proposi- 

 tion. Freely admitting as I do the very taking character of Mr. 

 Paxton's proposition, it will still be observed that his scheme is open 

 to reasonable objection, on the following grounds : — 



