INDFALLS. 



185 



weather. But nevertheless, with all these drawbacks, 

 it has proved to be the best soil for strawberries that I 

 have ever worked. I was surprised when I came here 

 four years ago, to find how long strawberry beds would 

 last. Very good crops have been taken from beds four 

 or five years old. The quality of the berries is also 

 excellent. The largest specimen of Sharpless that I 

 raised last year was eight inches in circumference as 

 measured with a tape, and there were many more that 

 approached it in size. The chances of success in gar- 

 dening are somewhat increased by the fact that water 

 for irrigation, pumped up from the river, is available to 

 those who are willing to pay for it. With its help one 

 can modify the bricky condition of the soil in dry 

 weather, and work it when it dries to the right consist- 

 ency. — H. J. Seymour. 



Spring Flowers. 



I know not which I love the most, 



Nor which the comehest shows, 

 The timid, bashful violet, 



Or the royal-hearted rose. 

 The pansy in her purple dress, 



The pink with cheeks of red, 

 Or the faint, fair heliotrope, who hangs, 



Like a bashful maid, her head. 

 For I love and prize you one and all, 



From the least low bloom of spring 

 To the lily fair, whose clothes outshine 



The raiment of a king. 



— Plia-be Cary. 



A Home-Made Fern Case. — In one of Eric's long 

 vacations he made a fern case for his plantiloving 

 auntie's birthday. There were three half windows in 

 the cellar, each with a single glass. He bought end 

 pieces, fitted them, and used one of the windows for a 

 cover, fastening on with strong hinges. He bought a 

 zinc tray that could just fit inside, the case standing on 

 a table, and the whole could be lifted on and off ; though 

 being very heavy the cover was generally lifted when 

 the plants were watered, or new ones put in. Auntie 

 was delighted with her gift and preparations for filling 

 the tray employed our leisure for many a day. First 

 came excursions to the woods for soil that ferns like. 

 This is to be dug out of old stumps, and rich, black, 

 scented stuff it is. One day when we came to a very 

 large old stump, and put in a trowel, out jumped a 

 chattering squirrel and several little ones, as much as- 

 tonished as we were, but they were gone before we 

 could gather our wits. This earth was mixed with 

 meadow soil and sand, and all of it baked in a hot oven 

 to destroy the insect germs that raise such havoc among 

 the choice ferns and begonias. After the soil was in the 

 tray, placed on a table in a north bay window where the 

 sun would not burn the leaves, we commenced to collect 

 the plant family that would live harmoniously in their 

 glass case all winter. And for this, much wisdom and 

 experience is necessary. Native ferns die down in the 

 fall, so it is best not to gather these ; for we want our 

 case to refresh our eyes, with its lovely shades of green, 

 when winter reigns without, and we can look through 

 the case at the snow-covered ground beyond. The 



florists have southern ferns that when small are not 

 costly, and they grow very fast in the moist air within 

 the glass. But there are things in the woods that will 

 do well, and many pleasant excursions with basket and 

 trowel can be taken for specimens. Moss of all kinds 

 looks green all winter. Partridge vines will show their 

 red berries, and if you can find a root of arbutus, you 

 may succeed in raising this lovely flower. Begonias do 

 well, especially the Rex varieties, so hard to raise in the 

 window garden. Their leaves grow very large and 

 beautifully marked behind the glass. When you have 

 had a fern case one winter you will always want one. 

 In the summer it can stand on a shady piazza or down 

 cellar. If the hot sun strikes the glass it will burn 

 everything in the case. But in September the trav will 



A HoME-M.ADE Fern Case. 



need arranging. I take all my plants out, throw away 

 those that are wilted, put in new earth, water thoroughly 

 and it soon looks nicely. One of the charms of a fern 

 case is to find new specimens every fall. 



Last September I went to the florist and bought a 

 Manmta discolor. The leaves are shaded from white 

 to dark green, and are very pretty. It also has a pretty 

 white flower. Another was a Sanchezia iiobilis. It 

 lights up the case, for the leaves are streaked with yellow. 

 A florist is generally willing to advise you about the 

 plants that will do well in a case. After the plants are 

 put in, the soil well soaked with water, your case takes 

 care of itself. Only one thing you must watch for — 

 snails. With all your care, they may get in, with a new 

 plant. They leave an ugly smear on the glass, and when 

 you see that and a large hole in your choicest Begonia 

 Rex, search until you find him. He is generally behind 

 a leaf ; or, if in the evening, on the glass. If you put a 

 small piece of potato in, it is a good trap. If the read- 

 ers of The American Garden knew what a beautiful 

 ornament a fern case is, and interesting all the time, es- 

 pecially if they study about the ferns and other plants, 

 they would be sure to have one. — Sister Gracious. 



Heating Hot-Beds. — The American Garden desires 

 to secure the experience of every one who has experi- 

 mented with the heating of hot beds by any other means 

 than by manure. 



