INTEODFCTOKY REMARKS, 



THIS little book is intended as a guide to the lover 

 of Nature, who, though not perhaps scientifically 

 acquainted with botany, may partake of the desire so 

 natural in all minds, to possess, in the best way cir- 

 cumstances will allow, some shadow of the green 

 country lanes and lovely scenes, so refreshing even in 

 the remembrance. The most desirable way to accom- 

 plish this, and even to bring something of the verdure 

 of a country lane into the close atmosphere of a city, is 

 by means of a closed or Ward's Case, in which not 

 only Ferns but some other plants will live and thrive. 

 Mr. Ward, the ingenious inventor of this device, suc- 

 ceeds in cultivating many spring flowers fairy roses, 

 and the most luxuriant tropical plants in his cases ; 

 but it must be remembered that the chief object in 

 these closed cases is to secure a moist atmosphere, and 

 freedom from the all-pervading dirt and dust of cities. 

 To many plants the moisture thus secured is injurious, 

 but to nearly all ferns it is peculiarly grateful, and to 

 them, therefore, especially, this mode of culture is 

 chiefly applicable. In Mr. Ward's own book on the 

 subject, he speaks of what may be done to imitate 

 nature in the growth of ferns ; how bits of natural 

 scenery may be artificially built up, with water trick- 



