WINDOW GARDENING. 



423 



usual manner, will exclude frost of 

 considerable intensity. Sometimes neat 

 green gauze blinds are fastened to the 

 top of the sloping roof inside, and made 

 to run on wires close to the glass, for 

 the purpose of shading; and again the 

 bottom and shelves are often so contrived, 

 by having wire basketwork round their 

 edges, that the pots are plunged in green 

 moss, which, being kept constantly moist, 

 supplies the plants with moisture, and 

 counteracts the bad effects of a scorching 

 and drying up sun. 



The lady's plant-case, fig. 581, is a 

 miniature adaptation of the Wardian case, 



Fig. 581. 



and is admirably calculated to form an 

 interesting object either in the drawing- 

 room or hall. The vase, as will be seen, 

 is furnished with a groove all round, into 

 which fits a glass shade, which covers the 

 plants. It may be all in one piece, or 

 framed with elegant and light brass, cop- 

 per, or even silver sash-bar, and glazed 

 with long, narrow, strips of glass, bent to 

 the proper curvature. Indeed, it may be 

 made to represent a conservatory in 

 miniature. 



Large crystal bell glasses are now made 

 for the purpose of covering a whole vase 

 of plants ; and we question much but ere 

 long every flower table or stand will be 

 fitted with a glass shade, both when cut 

 flowers are used, and for plants in pots. 

 In both cases the duration of the flowers 

 and plants in a perfect state will be pro- 

 longed, and their beauty unimpaired. At 

 all events, their use during night must be 



obvious, more especially in apartments 

 lighted by gas. 



The annexed, figs. 582, 583, represent 



Fig. 582. 



two very pretty Wardian cases, exhibited 

 at one of the Horticultural Society's fetes 

 at Chiswick. Fig. 582 is 7 feet high, 4 

 feet 2 inches wide, and 2 feet 6 inches in 



Fig. 583. 



depth. Fig. 583, 4 feet high, 3 feet broad, 

 and 1 foot 1 1 inches in depth. The work- 

 manship is in the very best manner of 



