Bare 
1 
i . 
VISITS TO REMARKABLE GARDEN'S. 
149 
Silt. WARD S FERN-UOl'SK. 
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struction and planting of my large closed case, was to give a representation (in miniature of course) of 
a tropical forest, in -which the plants were to be seen growing in something like a state of nature. 
The ground was prepared for their reception by covering the gravelly soil of the garden with a foot 
or two of old brick rubbish, and upon this about two feet of sandy peat mould. In this soil most of 
the Palms, Ferns, Bamboos, Bananas, &c. arc planted. Some plants grow better in yellow loam, 
some iu sand or clay, &:c. ; but all have their wants supplied. A very great variety of different 
plants can be grown in a house of this kind by a little management. Shade-loving plants thrive in 
the darker parts, whilst succulent plants of all kinds grow equally well suspended from the roof. All 
have the benefit of an atmosphere free from mechanical impurities, which might interfere with the 
action of the leaves ; and at the same time this air is always undisturbed, enabling the plants to bear 
without injury very varying degrees of temperature. The thermometer in the winter months often 
falls to 40' during the night, rising to 100° in the day, even in the month of December, if the sun 
shine brightly. In summer the variations are still greater, the thermometer occasionally falling as 
low in the night, (in consequence of there being no fire.) whilst at mid-day it is frequently as lii^-li as 
130°. This high temperature, however, docs not often occur, as the house is shaded by a blind. 
Circulation of the atmosphere is effectually secured by means of that beneficent law which compels 
the diffusion of the various gases which, either ill a course of nature or as the result of various 
chemical operations, are continually being generated on the surface of tin' earth. By virtue of this 
law, the moment any gas is formed in the bouse, differing from the atmosphere without, diffusion im- 
mediately takes place; and that uniformity "I' its component parts, which philosophers have ascer- 
tained to be the case in air examined from every portion of the earth's surface, is the result. Open 
exposure to air is very seldom required with the majority of plants, whether natives of cold or of 
hot regions, if their wants are duly supplied. Oxalis AcetOSi lla. Dcntaria bulbifera. Primula vulgaris, 
