The Fernery at the Fireside. 53 



to become so saturated with water as to be hurtful to 

 the health of the ferns ; but the beginner is almost sure 

 to fall into this error, and the first disaster that occurs 

 is, nine times in every ten, to be attributed to a water- 

 logged condition of the roots. Make it a point to as- 

 certain, when purchasing a fern case, if there is any 

 perforation of the base to allow of the escape of water. 

 If there is none you must be the more cautious to avoid 

 charging the soil with excess of moisture. It is thought 

 to be impossible to provide drainage in those cases 

 which have boilers beneath, but I think it may be done, 

 and I hope some day to find time to carry out my 

 views. 



For the benefit of mechanical and experimental 

 readers, here is my idea of a fern case combining means 

 of heating with effectual drainage. 



I would go to the expense of having all the metal 

 work in copper well tinned ; it would be expensive, but 

 would last for ever. A, should be a trough for soil, 

 resting on a ledge all round the inside of the outer 

 wooden casing, and admitting of being lifted out at any 

 time. For the lifting there should be a ring attached 

 on each of the four sides. In the centre of this I would 

 insert a pipe, F, for escape of drainage, and this very 

 simple process makes an end of the principal difficulty. 

 The bottom of the trough might slope down every way 

 to the pipe, F, which would render its action more 

 effectual. For the communication of heat I would have 

 a space, B, allowing a depth of two inches at least under 

 the bottom of the trough, and additional spaces under 

 the sloping ends of the trough. By increasing the 



