96 FERNS IN THEIR HOMES AND OURS. 



large doors, so that the whole may be thrown 

 open towards the room, and all the plants be 

 reached at any time. 



For circular ferneries, any bell-glass or glass 

 cover on any kind of dish has all the practical value 

 of any of the most elaborate and expensive parlor 

 stands. Broken retorts from the laboratory have 

 been converted into charming fern-cases. But best 

 of all is the glass dome which has for years cov- 

 ered the fast-dropping bouquet of wax flowers in 

 the best parlor. This, in connection with a deep 

 old Delft plate from the cupboard, may become of 

 some real service, and, filled with pretty ferns, make 

 the living-room smile with its suggestions of tropi- 

 cal warmth. 



The black glass or " slag " ware makes the clean- 

 est base for the circular fernery. It is sold in all 

 sizes at a very reasonable price. Great care must 

 be taken that the glass cover fits loosely into the 

 base, as it is likely to snap if it is held too tight- 

 ly. PI. 17 shows a fernery whose base is of this 

 ware. It seems as good as ever, after a service 

 of many years. The terra-cotta or earthen-ware 

 bases, some which are well decorated, are very 

 pretty ; but in time the absorbed moisture causes 

 the paint to peel off, and they become hopelessly 

 shabby. In the paper previously referred to, Mr. 

 Halliday describes a hanging-fernery, which the 

 writer remembers to have been especially attrac 

 tive : 



