130 Mlmy Ferns in Cases and under Bell-glasses. 



shrivel up and die. Still a fair amount of light must 

 be allowed as long as the sun does not reach them. 



I do not think there is anything in connection with 

 window gardening of such absorbing interest as the 

 cultivation of these beautiful Ferns, and any one may 

 well be proud if successful in growing them as they 

 should be grown, for they are extremely beautiful and 

 interesting. 



A Warrington case being partly an Aquarium, it is 

 necessary to raise above the water small rocks and 

 islets of burrs or artificial stone, having hollow 

 crevices filled with soil in which the plants may grow. 

 Other suitable rests may rise from the bottom on which 

 to stand pots and earthenware baskets. Pots and 

 baskets hanging from the roof and earthenware 

 baskets at the sides complete the internal arrangement. 

 But here let me impress upon you the absolute necessity 

 of having ample drainage at the roots of your plants, 

 and always in good working order, to allow the water 

 to percolate freely away through the soil, for though 

 Filmy Ferns require moisture as a necessity of their 

 lives, they cannot endure the evils of stagnation. In 

 fact, if the drainage at the roots is ample and good they 

 cannot suffer from excess of moisture. A dry atmo- 

 sphere is their death warrant ; there is nothing that will 

 hurt them sooner. Used to the damp, dark crevices 

 of rocks, where the sun never shines and the drought 

 of summer is never felt, they perish at once in a dry 

 atmosphere ; and even if relieved in time to prevent 

 their death they are robbed of their beauty for an entire 

 season, their beautiful membranous fronds shrivelling 



