The Wardian Case. 



201 



There is danger from too much moisture, and especially from stagnant 

 wet : so a thorough system of drainage is absolutely necessary. I have a 

 false zinc bottom, perforated with holes at least an eighth of an inch in 

 diameter, supported by zinc standards in the shape of a quarter-inch pipe, 

 an inch high at the sides, that rests upon a true zinc bottom, falling 

 from all sides an inch or so to a common aperture in the centre, which, by 

 a pipe, communicates surplus water to a vessel in the drawer beneath. 

 The whole basin in which the earth and plants rest is lined with zinc ; and 

 the ventilator has-a small conductor on each interior side opening into the 

 soil, to allow the water that may collect there to pass out. The drainage 

 is shown by the accompanying cuts : — 



My Case is constructed to turn upon a pivot, as all plants will gradually 

 draw towards the light ; and an occasional turning prevents their becoming 

 awry, and thereby contributes to general neatness, which is an important 

 consideration to be observed in the management of these Cases. The 

 Case turns under the first member of the lower mouldings of the wooden 

 base, which to the eye, however, appears entirely solid. 



My Case has a Southern exposure ; but my neighbor's house, about forty 

 feet distant, cuts off the winter sun, so that the direct rays reach the win- 

 dow, where the Case is exposed, only for an hour every day. I have a 

 linen shade at the window to screen the plants whenever the sunshine is 

 persistent ; and this precaution is important. I hardly think I would pre- 

 fer a southern exposure if other situations were equally convenient, es- 

 pecially where no buildings intervened to modify or obstruct the direct 

 rays of the sun. 



