Management of Fern-Cases. 
65 
a small empty flower-pot in the centre of the case; then to make a flat-iron 
hot, and stand it on the flower-pot, and occasionally paint the iron with the 
turpentine by means of a brush. Better still, perhaps, is a solution of fir-tree 
or lemon oil, applied in the form of a fine dewy spray, by means of an 
apparatus called a spray diffuser, such as is used by hair-dressers. If fir-tree 
oil is not readily obtainable, a good substitute for it may be prepared by 
soaking cigar ends or tobacco in water for a few days, then straining off the 
liquid, putting it in a bottle and keeping it corked closely until required for 
use. In either case make it a rule to spray or syringe the foliage with clear 
tepid water an hour or so afterwards. With patience and perseverance, 
however, mechanical methods will be found sufficient. The insects can be 
removed by means of a camel's-hair pencil, and the fronds that are most 
disfigured may be cut off and burned. The beginner will no doubt have 
to deal with insects, but the adept will rarely see them, for good cultivation 
will keep them at a distance. 
Cases that are kept furnished by means of plants in pots will of course 
demand the aid of pits and greenhouses, if a frequent change and a rich effect 
is at all times desired. It is only by this method that any variety of flowers 
can be displayed in a plant-case, yet it will often happen that a hall or 
boudoir may be by the adoption of this system kept delightfully gay, and all 
kinds of flowering plants will endure the confinement for two or three weeks 
while at their best without harm, if reasonably cared for. A bed of green moss 
or of quite new cocoa-nut fibre refuse will suffice for the groundwork, and to 
hide the pots. When the cocoa-nut fibre has been some time in use, it must 
be changed, because its fine brown colour, which affords a charming relief to 
green leaves and flowers, will disappear. The moss will keep green a great 
length of time, and indeed will grow, and soon after every disturbance produce 
a fresh green surface. 
As explained in the preceding chapter, it is more satisfactory in the end not 
to attempt heating fern-cases ; but still, if it is desired to do so, the simplest 
method of heating is that known as the “ Louise ” Heater. This bijou 
apparatus, for such it is, consists of a small boiler, of about the size 
of an ordinary wall lamp, and a flow and return pipe. The piping is 
arranged in such a way that it traverses the sides and ends of the case, 
and thus distributes the heat equally to all parts of it. The water may 
be heated by oil or gas. Of the .two, however, gas is preferable, because 
more cleanly and needing less attention than oil. The boiler may 
