FERN-CASES. 85 



suggest the idea of a fernery, which was not very 

 long ago placed on view by a proud contribu- 

 tor, and which, it is to be regretted, obtained a 

 prize. Six months later the owner was forced to 

 remove the cover, that the plants might rise to 

 any thing like their natural height. This planting 

 of ferns which soon become too large for the case 

 is, by the way, one of the most common mistakes 

 made by the inexperienced fern-grower. 



To form the frame of the case, iron is preferable 

 to wood, both for strength and lightness. Many 

 styles of cases with iron frames have been recently 

 put upon the market. Plate n is a representa- 

 tion of a case which Messrs. M. D. Jones & Co. 

 of Boston manufacture for $30. The base is six 

 inches deep (inside measure) ; and the legs, which 

 are 30 inches high, are strongly braced. The case 

 itself is 35 inches by 20 inches, and is 22 inches 

 high from the base to the summit of the curved 

 glass top. The panels in the base are the only 

 woodwork about it, and are ebonized, or may be 

 painted dark Pompeian red, and the ironwork 

 painted red and black, at the owner's fancy. The 

 case may be lifted from the base ; and at each end 

 is a door, which, instead of moving on hinges, is 

 arranged to lift out. The top may also be con- 

 structed so that it can be elevated for ventilation. 

 Mr. Emerton in his drawing has filled the case 

 with Nephrolepis exaltata, Blechnum Brasiliense, 



