38 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of the cabinet-maker, and in due time, made and set up in its 

 allotted place. This was made very large, for an experimental 

 case. Many of 3'ou will remember it, as it was exhibited in this 

 hall four or five years ago, at the Annual Exhibition. It was 

 nearly four feet square and stood six feet high from the floor to 

 the top of the roof. The box stood two feet high, set on heavy 

 casters, and moving on a pivot, so that it could be readily turned 

 to the light as the plants required. The inner box was half an 

 inch smaller than the outside all round, eleven inches deep, 

 thoroughly covered with white lead paint, and perforated through 

 the bottom with inch holes for drainage. The glass case, thirty 

 inches high, fitted into a moulding projecting above and around 

 the top of the box. The sash was made very strong, with iron 

 braces set into each corner. Each of the four sides consisted of 

 two panes of glass, two panes on two sides serving as doors. 

 The roof was formed of four sloping sides, surmounted by a flat 

 cap of wood, twelve inches square, tapering upward, with a turned 

 point twelve inches high. This cap fitted on like a cover, and 

 could be easily removed if necessary. The case was thoroughly 

 painted with three coats of white lead, and cost, when completed, 

 seventy dollars. It was as tight as ordinar}^ fitting would make 

 it, and in this condition was first planted. It stood before a large 

 south window, receiving the sun several hours each day. In the 

 bottom of the soil box, I placed small pieces of charcoal two 

 inches deep ; this was lightly covered with old moss to keep the 

 drainage free ; then I filled up the box with a compost of peat, 

 loam, and sand. To give the case color, I placed in the centre a 

 large plant of Dracmna terminalis^ and near it good sized plants 

 of Pteris argyrcea, Pteris tremula^ Pandanus Javanicus var., 

 Maranta zebrina, Maranta sanguinea, Dlefenbachia lyicta^ and 

 Sanseviera Zeylanica. This last named plant, I think, was the first 

 one of the kind brought to this city. Two plants were given me 

 by Mr. Irving, then gardener to Mr. Van Vorst, of Jersey City. 

 The other plant I gave to the Botanic Garden. Mr. Irving also 

 gave me a large plant of Pothos argyrcea, which was trained up the 

 sash and made a fine growth. A few small ferns and lycopods 

 were put in to fill up the spaces near the glass. Altogether, the 

 case made a fine appearance when planted, the color, form of 

 foliage, and habit of the plants blending and harmonizing well 

 together. 



