FERN-CASES, 



97 



" The hanging-fernery I designed to take the place of the 

 hanging-basket, which so seldom appears in good condition 

 in the home. The base was turned from walnut, several 

 pieces being glued and nailed together to get the proper 

 depth, and also to keep the wood from warping. It tapered 

 to a point at the bottom, to give lightness to its appearance. 

 A zinc pan, with a rim to receive the shade, fitted the base 

 loosely enough to be readily removed when watering was 

 necessary. This, as first constructed, was covered with a. 

 shade eight inches in diameter and ten inches high, and was 

 suspended by silvered copper wire. The case first exhibited 

 had a shade twelve inches in diameter, and fourteen inches 

 high; was elaborately turned from maple and walnut, orna- 

 mented with ebony trimmings, and filled with the following- 

 named plants : Onychium Japonicu7n^ Adiantuin assiinile^ 

 A.cuneatujn^ Selaginella Wildenovii, Pajiicuin variegatum^ 

 Fitt07tia Pearcei^ F. argyroneura^ Lycopodium denticulatum 

 var., and Mitchella repens^ some lichens and wood-mosses. 



" This case, when taken from the hall, was suspended in 

 my window, where it received the morning sun for about an 

 hour each day, and was not disturbed again till January, ex- 

 cepting when it was occasionally turned to the light. It was 

 a mass of green. I noticed considerable soil on the glass, 

 carried up by slugs in their nocturnal rambles ; also some 

 decayed fronds of the Adiantum. Altogether it was as much 

 of a success as a close case could be, and would probably 

 satisfy most people who grow plants for home decoration." 



He also says, — 



" The great difficulty I have always found in ferneries is 

 to reach the plants after they have filled, or partly filled, 

 the case. It is easy enough to remove the shade ; but to 

 replace it, so that the plants may retain their former position, 

 is not so easy. Frequently I have been forced to allow a 



