HOW TO GROW FEllNS. 



15 



exists in the belief tliat the cases must be air-tight; and 

 the other, that it is quite sufficient, at stated intervals, to 

 let in upon them a deluge of water. 



The form of the case may be accommodated to individual 

 taste. Some prefer the octagonal, some the quadrangular. 

 I/et each consult his or her peculiar taste ; and we will 

 describe one to serve as a model either to imitate or shun, 

 as taste may prompt, the object being rather to illustrate 

 the principle of construction, &c., than to establish any 

 orthodox standard. 



Krst of all construct a strong wooden box, 30 inches 

 in length, 17 inches in width, and 5 inches deep. Cover 

 it well inside with pitch, and outside with paint. At one 

 end, and on a level with the bottom, insert a small stop- 

 cock or a wooden plug, so as to draw off, if necessary, any 

 superfluous water. Lay on the bottom, to the depth of 

 1 inch, any drainage material. Then fill to the top with 

 soil. Some will prefer sifted cocoa-nut refuse and char- 

 coal, others a mixture of fibrous peat and sand, whilst 

 others will be content with a light loam. In this the ferns 

 may be planted, according to taste. The upper portion, 

 which consists of a zinc framework glazed, may rest upon 

 a ledge, half an inch below the level of the top in the 

 interior of the wooden box. Or if the case is smaller than 

 the above dimensions, and the top not too heavy, it may 

 rest on the soil, leaving a space of half an inch all round 

 between the box and the cover: by this means the ex- 

 ternal air passes and is filtered through the soil before it 

 enters the case. Whatever may be the form of the upper 

 portion of the case, it is always advisable to have at each 

 end, at the top, a strip of perforated zinc, about an inch in 

 depth, and extending across the case. This should be 

 furnished with a shutter inside, so contrived that it may 

 be opened or closed at will. This arrangement will obvi- 

 ate the cloudy appearance of the glass, which in perfectly 

 closed cases often prevents the contents being seen, and 

 will, moreover, be advantageous to the ferns. As the 

 consumption of water is small, such a case seldom will 

 require its addition, and never improve under a deluge. 



