42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I have another case of smaller size, twenty-two inches by 

 fourteen, convenient and not expensive, to be placed on a stand. 

 This, in its genei'al characteristics, resembles the larger one just 

 described, having provision for complete ventilation and drainage, 

 and when filled with the following named plants, makes a charming 

 appearance : Maranta pulcliella, Adiantum cuneatum, A. setidosnm, 

 Pteris argyrcea, Onycliium Jajjonicum, Selaginella Wildenovii, S. 

 Stolonifera, Flttonia Pearcei, and Latania Borbonica. These 

 plants were taken from three and four inch pots, and were quite 

 large enough to commence growth in their new home. 



Management of Wardian Cases. — This is the stumbling block 

 which many find 'in the way ; yet it is a very simple thing, pro- 

 vided the case is started rightly, -with the kinds of plants suited to 

 the season, and the position you intend the case to occupy. 



We will here consider a case for winter decoration of a sitting 

 room, which we will suppose to be warm enough for comfort during 

 the day, and the fire not allowed to go wholly out during the night. 

 We will suppose the case to have been planted as early as the first 

 of September, so that the plants have had time to make consider- 

 able growth before the cold weather commences. All cases ought 

 to be planted as early as this for the winter. It is generally sup- 

 posed that Wardian cases require very little light ; on the contrary, 

 they need an abundance of it, but not necessarily the bright sun- 

 light. Place the case directly in front of a window. I should 

 prefer an eastern or southern exposure, as the sunlight is hardly 

 powerful enough during the short winter days to harm the plants. 

 We are now speaking of a ventilated case. When the case is ex- 

 posed to the sun the ventilators should be open. Water should be 

 given sparingly all through the winter. For this medium sized 

 case (twenty inches by thirty), if in a warm southern exposure, 

 use half a gallon of tepid water, once a month. If it has less heat 

 and sunlight it will be necessary to give only half this quantity. 



Be sure the soil is never muddy or pasty. If in this condition 

 you will soon lose your plants. Look over the plants every three 

 or four weeks, removing all unsightly or decaying foliage, and look 

 carefully after tbe brown scale. This little pest has a particular 

 fondness for some of our choicest ferns, and would soon render 

 them unsightly if not removed. The slug is another source of 

 annoyance, but watchfulness will soon discover the thief. We are 

 almost certain to find him during the day under cover of some 



