PATENT PLANT CASE. 
171 
containing the plants, the result of which has been the creation of what may be termed 
a “ steaming ” heat within the case, so that the plants have been literally boiled. 
Great damage results also fi’om the breaking of the glass on board vessels, which at 
present frequently happens, thus exposing the plants to the action of the sea air. 
Various devices have been resorted to for the purpose of obviating these serious evils, 
such as the nailing across the case strips of wood, bamboo canes, canvass and other 
plans, but all the means hitherto used, so far as I know, have more or less failed to 
accomplish the object in view, as they either make the interior of the case too dark, 
or do not prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating directly into the case. 
Now in order to remedy the evils above referred to, and also to protect the plants 
from injury by the dripping on to them of the condensed vapour from the glass, I 
cover the glass with, a frame or frames formed with louvre pieces a, so arranged as to 
pei’mit the necessary light to enter the case, but to protect the glass from the direct 
rays of the sun, and from breakage ; and in order to protect the plants from the 
dripping of condensed vapour, I arrange the glass covers and interior of the case, as 
shewn in the Drawings, so that the condensed vapour shall pass down the surface of 
the glass into small channels or chambers &, provided within the case to receive it, 
which chambers b are filled with sphagnum moss or charcoal to absorb the moisture. 
I furthermore guard the plants against injury from sea water entering the case during 
the washing of the decks, by constructing the case with projecting parts or legs c in 
such manner that its bottom shall be raised some distance from the surface of the 
deck, and thus allow any water to flow underneath without soaking it up. I provide 
for the escape of foul and overheated air from the interior of the case by placing at 
each end thereof, or at one end only, a ventilator of the kind shewn at Figs. 3 and 4. 
A small chamber d is formed in the upper part of the end of the case ; this chamber 
communicates through openings e with the intei’ior of the case, and through openings 
/ with the external atmosphere. The openings e and /, which I prefer to make about 
one inch in diameter, are covered by screens g, made of the finest wire netting 
procurable, and outside of this netting by a farther covering of finely perforated zinc 
plate 7i, through both of which coverings the air is as it were “ wire-drawn ” in its 
passage into and out of the case. The number of openings e and / may bo varied to 
suit the requirements of the climate through which plants have to be conveyed, and 
the length of the voyage or journey, increasing the number of holes e and f according 
to the length of the journey, and the nature of the plants, as will be well understood 
by horticulturists. 
This invention is the result of great observation aud experience, for as a large 
importer and exporter of new and rare plants I was induced to turn my attention to 
devising some practical means for obviating the serious evils already referred to in 
consequence of having suffered great losses for several years in importing plants, 
many of which were not only new to this country but to science. 
Having’ thus described the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the. 
same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, I declare that what 
I claim as of my Invention and desire to have secured to me by the herein-before in 
part recited Letters Patent, is, the improved construction of plant case herein-before 
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings or any mere modification 
thereof. 
In witness whereof, I, the said William Bull, have hereunto set my hand and seal, 
this Twenty-fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight 
hundred and seventy. 
WILLIAM BULL. 
