WAKDIAN CASE. 
WARDIAN CASES AND FERNERIES. 
Some plants will not endure the atmosphere of our living rooms, such as the Ferns, and like 
plants, that are found growing naturally in shady places in the woods and groves, and on the 
cool banks of brooks. For the purpose of growing these successfully the Wardian Case or 
Fernery is necessary. These are simply glass cases, that exclude outside air and dust, while, of 
course, the air inside is confined and hu- 
mid. Here ferns, and other delicate plants, 
will grow and flourish with a luxuriousness 
unknown to plants cultivated in the open 
air, or subjected to the dust and drafts of 
our parlors. The soil should be light and 
porous, composed of leaf-mould with a 
little sand. To fill them properly put a 
layer of broken charcoal, an inch and a 
half in depth, in the pan which is found 
at the bottom of the fernery, and upon that 
place the soil. When setting the plants, 
give a good supply of water to settle the 
soil, but not enough to make it soggy : the earth should absorb it alL 
Place the glass over them, and for the first few days watch the case 
closely. If any of the plants show signs of moulding, raise the glass, 
and let part of the moi.sture escape. In regard to ventilation no stated directions can be given. 
A few Ferns and Lycopods will live in an air-tight case, yet even these will do fully as well if a 
little air is admitted. We would advise an airing once a week. The glass should not be left off 
too long — fifteen minutes will be enough. Ferns, Mosses, Begonias, Gesnerias, Peperomias, 
Marantas and Dracaenas, can be used to good advantage. Many plants from the woods do nicely, 
such as Partridge Vine, Hepaticas and Trailing Arbutus. With a little experience and care 
these cases will make an ornament worthy of a place in any parlor. 
PLANTS FOR HOUSE CULTURE. 
In giving a list of plants for house culture we name a few varieties only, and such as we 
know to be of easy culture, of real merit, and that will please the lovers of flowers. 
FOR TEMPERATURE BY DAY 65°, AND 45° BY NIGHT. 
Foliage Plants. — Dracaenas, Euonymous, Farfugium, Begonias (Rex type), Rubber Tree, 
Abutilon Thompsonii, Palms, Hard Ferns, Vinca variegata. 
Climbers. — Solanum Jasminoides, Ivies, Cobcea scandens, Pilogyne suavis, Maurandya,, 
Lygodium, Hoya or Wax Plant, Passion Vine. 
Bulbs. — Hyacinths, Tulips (Due Van Thol), Crocus, Narcissus, Cyclamen, Oxalis. 
Floivering Plants. — Abutilons, Jasminum grandiflorvim. Geraniums, Fuchsias, Carnations,. 
Primulas, Libonia, Cupheas, Camellias, Azalias, Violets, Roses, Othonna crassifolia. Oleanders, 
Chrysanthemums, Callas. 
Of the above. Geraniums, Camellias, the Holland Bulbs, Primroses, Violets, Chiysanthemums 
and Carnations, will do best kept quite cool. 
FOR TEMPERATURE OF 75° TO 8o° BY DAY, AND 6o° BY NIGHT. 
Begonias, Bouvardias, Cissus, Crotons, Heliotropes, Marantas, Tropaeolum, Salvias, Poin- 
settias, Smilax. 
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