160 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



form, the plants are covered by a bell-glass, which is 

 tilted up a little at the side when there is an appearance 

 of excess of moisture. This condition of excess is known 

 by the glass becoming dimmed by moisture, and the water 

 trickling down the side. Usually, when this appear- 

 ance is seen, by raising the glass lid of the Wardian Case 

 an inch or so for a day, it will relieve it enough to enable 

 it to be kept close, which is the proper way to keep it for 

 the well-being of the plants. The plants grown in this way 

 are of kinds valued for the beauty of their foliage rather 

 than for their flowers, and should be such as are of a some- 

 what slow growth. All rampant growing plants, such as 

 Coleus, are unsuited. The effectiveness of these Cases 

 depends a great deal on the arrangement of the plants. 

 The tallest and most conspicuous things should be in the 

 center, with smaller ones towards the edges, varying the 

 interest by contrasting the different colorings and forms 

 of leaves. Among the plants best suited for growing 

 under these glass coverings are Dracaenas, Gymnostachi- 

 ums, Marantas, Caladmms, some of the ornamental 

 leaved Eranthemums, and dwarf -growing Begonias, Pe- 

 peromias, etc., and Ferns and Lyeopods of the finer sorts. 

 The most of these are plants whose natural habitat is 

 shady woods or marshes ; and for their well being, the 

 nearer that the Wardian Case or Jardiniere can be made 

 to imitate such, the better. 



The soil used in these cases should be light and porous. 

 The most convenient, and a very suitable material, is leaf 

 mold, which can be got in any piece of woodland. After 

 planting, the soil should be watered freely, to settle it 

 around the roots. To allow evaporation, ventilation 

 should be given for a few days after the watering, when 

 the glass may be put down close, only to be opened, as 

 before directed, when an excess of moisture shows on the 

 glass. Other than this there is no trouble whatever in 

 the management. The watering given on planting will 



