1N-DOOR CULTIVATION. XI 



constructed case. Broken flower-pots, cinders, bits of 

 sandstone, and then a compound of peat-earth and 

 silver sand, should fill these pans or cases, and porous 

 bits of stone forming artificial rocks may be built up 

 and around the ferns when they are planted. On 

 these rocks, mosses and lycopocliums will grow and 

 thrive. For the covering of the commonest kind of 

 case, obtain a bell-glass just large enough to fit tightly 

 round the edge of the pan, so as to exclude the 

 external air. This may be removed occasionally, and 

 the fronds sprinkled with water, but not too often ; 

 and, as far as possible, the glass should be kept bright 

 and clear. The soil, before being used, should be care- 

 fully sifted, to prevent any worms or insect eggs being 

 admitted with it. Any appearance of blight may be 

 treated with lime-water. 



The case itself should not be placed in too retired a 

 part of the room (except as regards that containing 

 Trichomanes brevisetum, or Ilymenophyllum), as the 

 natural tendency of the plants to creep towards the 

 light would thereby be increased. An important point 

 in the success of a fern-case is the removal of dead 

 or decaying portions, as they soon spread, and produce 

 disease in the whole case. 



It will be found that all species of ferns will not 

 grow well together, requiring, as they do, in some 

 cases, different treatment. A case may be specially 

 devoted to shade-loving ferns, such as Hymeiwpliyllum 

 and Trichomanes, and sheltered from the light by a 

 gauze covering, or coloured glass ; but this is best 

 learned by studying the natural habits of each indi- 



