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FERNS IN GLASS CASES. 
FERNS IN GLASS CASES. 
By Mr. JOHN COX, Gabdeneb to "\V. TVells, Esq., Eedleaf. 
tT is veiy gratifying to observe tlie study of oxu' beautiful native Ferns becoming so popiilar, pai-- 
ticnlarly amongst lady amateurs. No study can possibly be more interesting, I may say fasciuating, 
when entered into con amore. Now, as I do not doubt but tbat there are many -who are partial to tbe 
pm'suit Tvho have no garden in which to plant them, yet would like to have a few, at least, of then- 
favoui'ites growing under theii' immediate inspection, I ■ndll endeavour to describe a method of prepar- 
ing a glass case, by which they may succeed in growing several varieties in a very interesting manner. 
I should prefer a stand similar to that represented in the engraving ; it shoidd have a diameter of 
thi'ee feet, but less would of course suffice, in cases where that may be thought too large. The glass 
case should be made to fit exactly to the inside of the stand, and 
should have the fi-ame-work formed of stout brass bai's, well secured 
to a strong rim of zinc round the bottom. A department on each 
side should be made to open, care being taken that these openings 
are made as nearly ah'-tight as may be, and a few hooks should 
be secm'ely fastened to the bars in the 
upper part of the dome, by which to 
suspend small plants in pots. The 
stand should be fiUed nearly to a level 
with the rim with broken potsherds or 
sandstone, or any rubbly porous mate- 
rial. Over this should be laid a small 
stratum of sand, to make a very level 
surface. In the centi'e, on this level 
surface, place a four-sided cone of zinc, 
about sixteen inches in height, with a 
saucer at the top, and having some sti'ong pieces, of about two 
inches square, well fastened to and projecting from the sides. Nest 
commence around the base of the cone, and place angular' pieces 
of sandstone of about five or six pounds weight each, and pile 
up thus completely over the cone. The projecting pieces will assist 
in retaining the stones in position ; and a most important point to 
be observed is, that every stone must be laid perfectly fii'm from 
bottom to top, as the plants will not flourish on a moveable stone. 
This may be insui-ed by the use of a Uttle cement, as the operation joroceeds ; but I have also made 
use of small, flexible wire, passed several times roimd the mass, for the same purpose. The inter- 
stices between the stones may be filled with some nice flbry loam, sandy, soft, and unctuous to the touch. 
The Ferns are to be planted in these interstices, taking cai-e to make them firm in position. 
With regard to sorts, although the smaller-growing varieties are undoubtedly the best adapted for 
such a case or vase, yet I have used seedling plants of the lai-ger kinds, and these can be removed 
when they get too large. A case of the size proposed wpuld hold a plant of nearly every British spe- 
cies ; but if this were attempted, it would, of com'se, more frequently require re-ai-ranging. The spaces 
between the Ferns may be appropriately fiRcd up with various Mosses, Marchantias, Jxmgermamiias, 
Lyeopodiums, &c., so that the whole of the miniature rock may be covered with vegetation, and pre- 
sent a gi-een surface. A large plant of Lycopodium umbrosum, on tlie summit of the pile, would look 
beautifal ; and small pots of the trailing Lyeopodiums may be suspended from the hooks in the upper 
part of the dome. Previous to the stones being placed, they ought to be soaked for a few hours in 
water. The saucer at the top of the cone shoidd also be filled with water, and the x-oots of each plant 
dipped in water as the planting proceeds, '\^'^len all is completed, sprinkle the whole with water 
through a fine watering-pot rose, but avoid deluging it ; this watering may be repeated ft-oni time to 
time thi'ough the doors, but the case being almost aii--tight, and evaporation being prevented, water 
will not often be necessary. The sandstone I have mentioned is a soft ferrugineous stone, found in many 
parts of Kent, and so congenial to the growth of Ferns, that their seeds or spores falling on the shady, 
moist sides of the rocks composed of it, germmate by thousands. 
May I, in conclusion, ventm-e to recommend 3foore's Kinul-Booh of British Ferns to any one who 
