62 AMERICAN 
HOMES AND GARDENS 
February, 1911 
A case for a moss fern garden 
A shelter for a moss and fern garden made out of plain glass 
A home made moss garden 
An Indoor Garden of Moss and Fern 
By S. Leonard Bastin 
certain number of plants which can stand 
the trying conditions of room culture. The 
dry, dusty atmosphere of the average 
apartment is fatal to the well being of 
most ferns, and their near relatives, the 
mosses. Yet these plants are especially desirable for room 
culture in that their fresh greenness is very attractive to 
the town dweller. To this end has been devised the indoor 
garden of moss and fern, whereby these and similar plants 
may be grown in conditions nearly allied to those which they 
enjoy naturally. 
The formation of the moss garden is very simple, the 
idea being to grow the plants in a nearly air tight case and 
in this way to maintain for them a distinct atmosphere which 
shall be saturated with moisture. Several contrivances are 
well adapted for the purpose. A glass shade fitting well 
into a grooved metal stand answers the purpose admirably. 
An infinitely cheaper and quite as effective a device can be 
formed out of pieces of glass which can be obtained any- 
where for a few cents. Four of these should be of the 
same size, the actual measurements depending upon the 
fancy of the individual although it is not desirable to make 
the shade too large. A fifth cutting of glass is necessary 
to cover the top when the sides are assembled. ‘The glass 
is well joined together with linen, or other non-tearable 
material on the lines indicated in the illustration; a strong 
adhesive which is not greatly affected by moisture being 
used. A wooden stand made of two slabs should now be 
prepared; the uppermost portion must be of such a size 
that the pieces of glass, when joined together, fit quite tightly 
over the outside edge. Some metal receptacle of a non- 
rusting material is necessary to stand in the case and it is 
in this that the moss and ferns are to be planted. 
Very little soil is required in starting the moss garden. 
First of all it is a good plan to spread a number of clean 
pebbles over the floor of the metal tray, and in between 
these a small amount of mold may be sprinkled. It is quite 
essential that everything should be in a very moist condition 
before anything in the way of planting is attempted. 
Almost any kind of moss may be used, but, of course, some 
sorts are much prettier than others. Well established 
pieces of the growth should be selected and those which 
have a plentiful supply of the hair-like roots. These should 
be fitted in between the portions of stone, the roots being 
buried with mold. When everything is in place a further 
sprinkling of water should be given and then the shade may 
be put into position. The moss garden should be placed 
in front of a window or in some situation where plenty of 
light will fall on it. At the same time a great deal of direct 
sunshine is not especially helpful. When once fully started 
little or no additional water will be necessary, as, if the 
arrangement is nearly air tight a perfect little atmospheric 
The shade in readiness for planting the moss ferns 
A moss fern garden under a glass shade 
