78 
WARDIAN CASES* 
that cold draughts of air, the fumes of gas, and other matters, 
find their way up among the plants to their evident injury. 
These may appear simple things in themselves, but it must be 
remembered that much is made of many littles, and our ultimate 
success in more important things is not unfrequently secured by 
attention to even more minute particulars than these. In the 
earliest part of the spring I procure a sufficient number to fill 
the case of such things as crocus, tulips, narcissus, and other 
early flowering plants, including the double and single snowdrops, 
the several varieties of the hepatica, the dog’s-tooth violet, the 
common and double violet, the Chinese primrose, &c., and, having 
them potted, they are placed in the case, their pots^env eloped, 
and the mould covered with bright green moss, from among 
which the flowers soon spring, and have a most enchanting ap¬ 
pearance. These afford a continuance of flowers, with a few 
trifling additions, up to the middle of April or even May, when 
they are succeeded by small, growing plants of Gloxinias and 
Achimenes, selected so as to have white, blue, scarlet, and their 
intermediate shades properly mingled throughout. At this season 
a little shade appears to enrich the colours of the flowers. 1 
therefore include a late plant of Tropceolum Jarrattii , or, failing, 
that, the Ipomcea 7‘ubro ccerulea. These are twined over, or rather 
under, the roof; and, should any additional shade be necessary, 
a piece of gauze thrown over the outside answers the purpose 
effectually. 
Water is not required more than once a week, supposing the 
case to be kept generally closed, but in proportion as the air is 
admitted by leaving it open, so much more water will be required. 
When the summer occupants begin to decline in beauty, the season 
will be so far advanced as to preclude the enjoyment of more 
flowers. They are consequently taken out, and, being bulbous- 
rooted, are dried and preserved till wanted in the next season, 
their places being filled with a group of cactaceous plants. Kept 
expressly for the winter decoration, they are shut up close pri¬ 
soners throughout the season, and are no trouble, still presenting 
the same irregular outlines, and, being enlivened with the green 
moss, wear a cheerful character, though devoid of floral beauty. 
Thus, the three sets of plants furnish the case through the entire 
year, and always present something interesting or beautiful. 
