CONSTBUCTION OF A FEEN CASE. 



GLAZED cases for the cultivation of Ferns in the windows of 

 our dwelling-rooms are now so popular that our work would 

 be incomplete without a few words upon their construction 

 and management. First as to the way in which to make one. 



We require a planed, well-seasoned deal board, 21 inches 

 by 12 inches, and l inch thick ; also other two planed deal 

 boards, 12 inches by 10 inches, of the same thickness. These 

 latter are firmly morticed perpendicularly into the ends of 

 the former, 1 inch from the edge. Grooves a quarter of an 

 inch by three-eighths of an inch are, in each case, cut in the 

 inner side of the uprights, and carried in a right line along 

 the base pieces half an inch from their edges. 



This framework may be covered all over with oil paint, 

 three coats in thickness ; or, if preferred, it can be (as in our 

 case) coloured with oak stain, and thoroughly varnished thrice 

 with shell-lac dissolved in spirits of wine. When dry, the 

 grooves are filled with white or red-lead putty, and glazed 

 with.one-eighth-of-an-inch sheet glass. The putty having set, 

 the joints can be varnished, and a frame of deal moulding 

 screwed on the top ; the screws passing downwards into the 

 uprights. Ornamental finials of turned deal are fixed by wire 

 pegs to the upper rail at its four corners. A sheet of glass 

 lies loosely on the top of the moulded rail. Thus, with the 

 addition of a few perforations in the vertical pieces above soil- 

 level, the ventilation necessary can he arranged to a nicety. 



The fernery is now complete, and when filled and fitted 

 with back scene, forms an interesting ornament. A few pieces 

 of tile should be spread at the bottom, and on them the un- 

 dulating sanded charcoaled bog earth. 



