336 TREATMENT OF PLANTS Cjiat. XX. 



battens exteuding lenjG^thways. By this means the soil and 

 plants are not disturbed in the operation of moving the cases. 

 When the cases are finally closed the soil should be in a 

 medium state as regards moisture, and all dead foliage should 

 be removed. The cases should be made as air-tight as pos- 

 sible by filling the seams with putty, and every precaution 

 must be taken to preserve the plants from the slightest con- 

 tact with salt water." Mr. Mclvor strongly recommends 

 that the cases should be furnished with a false bottom, raised 

 about two or three inches above the true bottom, by bars 

 of wood of the required thickness being nailed on the under- 

 side. The false bottom should have holes bored in it at 

 regular intervals, with a few broken pieces of pot and a layer 

 of moss placed over them. He considers that the best sort 

 of soil is formed of equal parts of leaf-mould, turf}' loam, 

 and sand, mixed in a dry state, and spread out and exposed 

 to the action of the sun for a few days before being placed in 

 the cases. During the voyage the plants should have plenty 

 of light and air, one side of the case being left open for two 

 or tlu'ee hours, morning and evening, during fine weather, 

 when dead leaves should be picked off, and water admi- 

 nistered to any plant which may require it. The soil should 

 be turned up on the surface to the depth of about half 

 an inch with a small pointed stick every three or four days, 

 and always kept rough on the surface, so as to allow the 

 air to circulate in the soil. This circulation of air is also 

 facilitated by the false bottom. The action of the air on the 

 soil keeps the roots in fine condition, and entirely prevents 



•* Mr. Cross says that Wardian cases, 

 as tliey are at present constructed, 

 are notoriously unfit for the growth 

 of plants of any description. He adds 

 that the plants must be healthy root 

 and top before they are deposited in 



juices, stems, and leaves may be fully 

 developed and matured. Plants taken 

 out of hothouses, or from dense forests, 

 are not in a fit state to be sent away 

 immediately in Wardian cases. They 

 are then "blanched," and are easily 



the cases. They ought to be exposed affected by adverse influences, such as 

 for at least a month to the full action excess of moisture or drought, 

 of tlie sun and atmosphere, so that the ' 



