Plant-growing in Wardian Cases. 123 



for want of water, but during the winter months, when 

 all plants are comparatively at rest, less moisture and 

 watering will do. As a rule. Ferns can hardly be over- 

 done with moisture at the roots all through the grow- 

 ing season, as long as no stagnant water is allowed to 

 lodge about them. You should always make sure, 

 therefore, that the drainage is ample and in good 

 working order. 



The soil most suitable for the rockwork inside the 

 case is the same as recommended for pots ; that is, 

 roughly broken peat earth and silver sand in equal 

 parts, with a small proportion of sandy loam added. 

 If you go to any nurseryman he will give you the 

 proper soil yoa require if you tell him for what purpose 

 you want it. It is better to do this than to mix up 

 your own compost, aiid you are sure of getting good 

 soil ready for work at once. When arranging your 

 rockery make up a heap of this soil and place your 

 burrs or rocks in a natural easy style over it. There 

 will be no difficulty in planting your Ferns and mosses 

 afterwards ; you can just displace a stone to allow of 

 that being done, and replace it again. In this you 

 will have an opportunity of displaying your good taste 

 and skill as a plant-grower. The neater the arrange- 

 ment the more credit will accrue to you, and remember 

 that you should never give your Ferns manure water, 

 as I recommended for flowering plants ; they do not care 

 for it. 



The Wardian case can either be placed on a stand 

 or table in your room, on stair landings or in halls and 

 vestibules, or fitted up in a window recess in connection 



