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APPENDIX A. 
thin sheet India-mhher. The frames of the larger cases should he well 
painted, and the laps so filled with putty as completely to exclude soot. 
Do plants require water in these cases? — is a question frequently ashed. 
This depends not only upon the nature of the plants, but upon the season of 
their growth. Almost all ferns, if enclosed in small cases where the water can- 
not escape, will continue to flourish for years, and I believe that a century 
might elapse without any fresh water being required. Cactuses, and most suc- 
culent plants, would he equally independent. In larger houses, where the 
surfaces are very varied, the water will drain from the upper parts, and fresh 
supplies will occasionally he wanted. If we wish our plants to grow with 
greater or less luxuriance, we have of course, at all times, the power to give or 
withhold water. Numerous plants require to he well supplied with water up 
to and during the period of inflorescence, and when the flowering is over to he 
kept nearly dry. This is easily effected by removing the cover, and allowing 
the moisture to evaporate by exposure of the case for a short time to the sun. 
It is desirable that there should he an opening in the bottom of the cases for 
the purpose of draining off the superfluous moisture, and likewise of giving us the 
opportunity of washing the mould with lime water should slugs make their 
appearance, which sometimes occurs. With respect to the mould, it is perhaps 
best to select that in which the plants which are to he the subject of experiment 
ordinarily grow ; but this is not a matter of so much moment as is generally 
imagined. It is a very common impression that great knowledge of Botany is 
required before any successful attempts at the cultivation of plants in closed 
cases can be made ; now, it must be obvious, from all that has been said, that 
whether the plant be grown in a closed case or in the open air, the natural 
conditions must be fulfilled to ensure success Again, many complain that 
the enclosed plants frequently become mouldy ; this arises either from excess 
of moisture or deficiency of light, or a combination of both causes producing 
diminished vital action, or else from the natural decay of plants. It is 
very interesting to watch the progress of this. The moment a plant begins 
to decay it is no longer of any use ; and those small parasitical fungi, com- 
monly called moulds, are some of the means employed by nature in removing 
that which has now become an encumbrance : — “ cut it down, why cumbereth 
it the ground ? ’’ 
The simple circumstance which set me to work must have been presented to 
the eyes of horticulturists thousands of times, but has passed unheeded in con- 
sequence of their disused closed frames being filled with weeds, instead of cu- 
cumbers and melons ; and I am quite ready to confess, that if some groundsel 
or chickweed had sprung up in my bottle instead of the fern, it would have 
made no impression upon me. 
