53 
The Fernery at the Fireside . 
to become so saturated with water as to be hurtful to 
the health of the ferns ; but the beginner is almost sure 
to fall into this error, and the first disaster that occurs 
is, nine times in every ten, to be attributed to a water- 
logged 'condition of the roots. Make it a point to as- 
certain, when purchasing a fern case, if there is any 
perforation of the base to allow of the escape of water. 
If there is none you must be the more cautious to avoid 
charging the soil with excess of moisture. It is thought 
to be impossible to provide drainage in those cases 
which have boilers beneath, but I think it may be done, 
and I hope some day to find time to carry out my 
views. 
For the benefit of mechanical and experimental 
readers, here is my idea of a fern case combining means 
of heating with effectual drainage. 
I would go to the expense of having all the metal 
work in copper well tinned ; it would be expensive, but 
would last for ever. A, should be a trough for soil, 
resting on a ledge all round the inside of the outer 
wooden casing, and admitting of being lifted out at any 
time. For the lifting there should be a ring attached 
on each of the four sides. In the centre of this I would 
insert a pipe, F, for escape of drainage, and this very 
simple process makes an end of the principal difficulty. 
The bottom of the trough might slope down every way 
to the pipe, F, which would render its action more 
effectual. For the communication of heat I would have 
a space, B, allowing a depth of two inches at least under 
the bottom of the trough, and additional spaces under 
the sloping ends of the trough. By increasing the 
