Wardian Cases. 327 



as regards ventilation. My Case is constructed of wood (which I thinly 

 preferable to metal) and glass ; measures three feet and a half in length, 

 and two feet in breadth ; and is rather higher than broad, say two feet and 

 a half I have no drainage, either by holes in the bottom of my zinc pan 

 or broken potsherds in the earth, and no heat from artificial means. 



I have no ventilation for my Case ; and there is fione^ except that caused 

 by imperfect joints, which are very few. Mi". Warren says nothing about 

 artificial heat, but advocates drainage and ventilation : the latter he pro- 

 vides for by an apparatus constructed of zinc, and perforated with numerous 

 small holes. He says he finds by experience that ferns grow well in his 

 Case with this ventilation. I find, on the contrary {having tried both ways), 

 that all kinds of ferns and lycopodiums grow better in mine with the Case 

 made as air-tight as possible. I never water my Case from October (when 

 I plant it) to June, except on first setting out the plants ; and then not muc/i 

 is needed : but I depend on the moisture caused by condensation to support 

 the life of the plants. The first fern Cases made, and brought before the 

 public, were at the great World's Fair in England, in 185 1 ; they being an 

 English discovery. They were simple glass shades, of almost any size, 

 made air-tight by fitting into a groove made to receive the rim or base of 

 the shade. I have grown almost every variety of greenhouse fern and 

 lycopodium obtainable in this country, and find the growth of ferns more 

 rapid and more perfect without ventilation than with it ; it being no un- 

 common thing for an adiantum, or pteris, to send up fronds measuring three 

 and a half to four inches in height in from five to six days. By making 

 a Case as tight as possible, you keep the earth moist, do away with water 

 ing, keep up a more regular temperature (which is a great point towards 

 steady growth), obviate the necessity of drainage, and, by this means, secure 

 a number of advantages over a ventilated Case. 



When I first started, I followed directions which said to open the Case 

 e\'ery day to counteract an over-supply of moisture : this gave very fair 

 results. But my great success has been in following my own ideas, and 

 keeping things shut up. I have an easterly exposure for my Case, and 

 allow the sun to shine on it three or four hours in the morning. Mr. War- 

 ren says to raise the top if the moisture becomes excessive : this he has to 

 do if he uses ventilation. But, with an air-tight Case, no fears need be enter- 



