FERNEEIES, WARDIAN CASES, ETC. 
59 
soil are kept constantly damp, though a circulation is main- 
tained which prevents stagnation — the result being precisely 
what the Filmy Ferns require. The principle once grasped, 
it was seen that ordinary bell-glasses afford the same con- 
ditions of growth, so that a round, red, earthenware pan, with 
a bell-glass fitting neatly into it, forms a cheap and handy 
Wardian case. It will be seen that, even with these water- 
loving Ferns, drainage is as requisite as with the others; 
hence, in starting a Wardian case, or bell-glass substitute, a 
good substratum of broken crocks and bits of brick should 
be put in first, over that some fibry material or sphagnum 
moss, and upon that a rough mixture of peat and sand. The 
plants should be pegged down upon this, a little more sand 
sifted over them, and then a good heavy shower from the rose 
of a watering-pot given, to wash the sand well in and bed 
the plant comfortably. See that your bell-glass or case doors 
fit close, and leave the plants alone for a week at least. The 
Killarney Fern, thus treated, will form a delightful object 
in time ; its motto is, generally, “ slow but sure.” The 
Hymenophyllums are pretty and moss-like, but comparatively 
insignificant. 
We have been very successful in the culture of the Kil- 
larney Fern in a glass milk-dish about 24in. diameter, 
covered by a 20in. bell-glass. We half filled the dish with 
large pieces of flower-pots, arranged as hollowly as possible; 
on these we put a number of small pieces of brick, then a 
layer of sphagnum. We then planted the Fern in a red 
earthenware pan, which we stood in the centre, packing it 
round with living moss, watering it thoroughly until about 
lin. of water stood in the dish among the drainage. The bell- 
glass was then put on, and silver sand poured round the rim 
of the glass dish outside, and wetted until it was bedded tightly. 
The result is all that could be desired, and, practically, no 
attention at all is requisite, the plant thriving without having 
been watered in any way for many months. To all appear- 
ances it would stand for a year or two without requiring more 
water. 
A very small Todea superba we treated in the same manner 
