486 Plant Case for growing Plants 



inch lower than the outer; and at each end is a notch, ^ of an 

 inch only above the bottom of the groove, to allow the condensed 

 moisture, which trickles down the inside of the glass, to flow 

 back to the soil. Instead of lead, the lining of this groove 

 should be of brass, which would prevent the galvanic action 

 which arises from the contact of the two different metals. 



It only remains to speak of the glass cover : its frame-work is 

 made of brass, with a door on one side, made to fit close, but 

 which can easily be opened when needed. The glass used for 

 the cover is flattened crown-glass, except for the door, which is 

 plate-glass. The glass panes were fitted into the frame with 

 great care, and with a putty specially made for the purpose; 

 this putty received afterwards three coats of paint. Along the 

 top of the roof two brass rods extend, from which small pots 

 containing plants may be suspended. The whole of the frame- 

 work is well fitted, and nicely put together, so as to preclude, as 

 far as could well be done, all interchange between the air in 

 the case and that in the room. It was before stated, that the 

 total height of the case is 4 ft. 2 in. Its length is 3 ft.; and its 

 breadth, 1^ ft. Its form and dimensions are accurately repre- 

 sented in the beautiful drawings (Jigs. 122 — 128.) of Mr. M'Nab, 

 which accompany this paper. 



2. Preparation of the Soil, and Mode of Planting. 



The soil, as prepared by Mr. M'Nab, consisted of the follow- 

 ing ingredients, which were placed in the box in the order now 

 to be stated. Its bottom was covered with broken potsherds, to 

 the depth of 2 in., over which was spread 1 in. of very turfy 

 loam ; the remaining space in the box was filled with soil, com- 

 posed of equal parts of peat and loam, with which a portion of 

 rough white sand, amounting to about -~q part, and free from 

 iron, was mixed. After being planted, between 3 and 4 gallons 

 of water were freely showered over the tops of the plants from a 

 fine-rosed watering pot; this was continued till the water ran 

 freely from two holes made in the bottom of the box for that 

 purpose. -After draining for 24 hours, the holes were tightly 

 fitted with corks ; and the glass roof, or cover, was then put on. 



The case, with its plants, was placed at the window allotted 

 for it. The window has a southern aspect, and the morning sun 

 strikes upon it several hours in the day. During this period, 

 the temperature within the case was several degrees higher than 

 that in the room; while in the absence of sunshine, or when a fire 

 was kept up, the temperature of the room was highest. At other 

 times, when neither sun nor fire prevailed, the temperature within 

 and without the case rose and fell simultaneously. At no period 

 of the winter did the temperature in the room fall to the freezing 

 point; nor, it is believed, rise in summer higher than to about 



