40 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



a gift, unless it was properly drained and ventilated. I should feel 

 quite sure of losing some valuable plant that might cause more 

 annoyance than the expense of a case properly constructed. I do 

 not think the shape matters much, solongasit suits the possessor, 

 but a medium size is better than a small one, and easier to manage 

 than a large one. Twenty inches by thirty, I think a very good 

 size ; not too large for most rooms, and large enough to grow good 

 sized plants. The case I last exhibited here is of that size, and 

 is my beau ideal of a perfect Wardian case. It is constructed of 

 the best seasoned material, and though it was made nearly two 

 years ago, and has since been in almost constant use, all the joints 

 are as perfect as when it came from the cabinet-maker. 



The following are the dimensions of this Wardian case : depth 

 of table seven inches, made with an outside moulding to receive 

 the sash. The turned legs are so morticed into the box that 

 they are jjerfectly solid, and fastened into brass casters — the only 

 proper way of putting on casters. The table, with the casters, 

 stands twenty-eight inches high ; a zinc lining closely fits the 

 box, forming a lip round the moulding to receive the sash. This 

 prevents water that happens to drip from the glass, or when 

 watering the case, from coming in contact with the wood. A zinc 

 tube passes through the bottom of the case for the purpose of 

 drainage ; within this, and less all around by a quarter of an inch, 

 so that it can be easily removed, is a wooden box of half-inch stuff, 

 also lined with zinc and perforated through the bottom with an 

 inch hole. Across the outside of the bottom, on either end is a 

 narrow cleat half an inch thick, so that the water in passing 

 through can find ready means of escape through the tube. The 

 sash has a circular top, the extreme height, thirty-three inches, 

 coming on the side, instead of the end, producing a fine efi'ect when 

 the case is filled with plants. Each end of the top forms a quarter 

 circle, which is hinged from the top bar, and can be opened to 

 reach the plants, or to increase the ventilation. The corners of 

 the sash are firmly secured with brass braces, so that no amount of 

 dampness will affect it. In the bottom bar of each sash is fixed a 

 slide five inches long by one inch wide, which can be readily 

 opened when ventilation is necessary. There are six half-inch 

 holes in the top bar, which are never closed. The method of drain- 

 ing this case was the same as that of the other. 



For soil, I prefer good leaf-mould, mixed with sand. Masons' 



