Wardian Cases. 17 



the window of some poor woman, who cannot afford to have these fine 

 stands and shelves for plants. She has some plants of geranium and ivy, 

 the former almost always in bloom, the latter always green and fresh, and 

 growing wonderfully. If we enter, we find a small room, and order and 

 neatness such as they can be under the circumstances : six or seven chil- 

 dren are in the room ; some on the floor, and some " packed away " where 

 they won't obstruct the limited means of travel. Every thing is crowded 

 into this small apartment, and usually quite conspicuous is a good-sized 

 cooking-stove. Why, with all these occupants, and this latter article, should 

 these plants flourish so ? The secret is simply this : the plants selected 

 (whether by accident or preference) were adapted to the air of the room ; 

 and, as plants absorb the gases which are injurious to man, the large num- 

 ber of human beings in proportion to the size of the room seems to ex- 

 plain another part of the secret of the growth of these plants. It is not 

 necessary to put six or eight persons into a small room to make similar 

 p la 71 is grow : this instance or illustration is not cited to show such to be 

 an essential to success. We are apt to take things too literally. The selec- 

 tion of plants of 2i proper kind, adapted to the temperature, size, and situa- 

 tion of rooms, is the important point. Now, such rules and directions can- 

 not be laid down to a nicety ; and some people will always fail in their at- 

 tempts to grow window-plants : but to such as are really fond of plants, 

 and can see in Nature the beauties and wonders alike of plant or flower, 

 I would say. There is a method of growing plants oi certain kinds, in which 

 the temperature of the room, the question of over-watering, or insects, are 

 not known or considered, provided certain simple and essential points are 

 kept constantly in view. To this method I would like to call the attention 

 of those who have been, are, or will be, interested in it. To such I would 

 say, There is no reason for failure, nor can there be any. The subject of 

 Wardian cases is one which cannot fail to awaken an interest in all alike, 

 whether it be those of us who have succeeded or failed in making them 

 what they ought to be. They are the solution of the question, " What plants 

 shall I grow in my window .'' " I hope, in a future number, to give some 

 directions for constructing, stocking, and managing Wardian cases. 



Boston, December, i868. 



(To be continued.) 

 VOL. VI. 3 



