THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
279 
frame of wood, is cheaper than the other, and greatly better-looking. 
The sketch fig. 69 will serve to give you some idea of it. The principal 
innovation is in providing for 
the perfect isolation of the air 
within the case from commix¬ 
ture with the air of the apart¬ 
ment it may be placed in. It 
appearing to me that the con¬ 
traction of bulk consequent on 
reduction of temperature during 
the night must necessarily cause 
an introduction of air from the 
apartment at a time when it 
was most likely to be con¬ 
taminated with sulphuretted 
hydrogen from the gas-lights 
and other causes, I have introduced a small tube through the bottom of 
the case, passing upwards to the surface of the soil. On the exterior end 
of this tube there is a coupling screw, by means of which I connect it 
with a flat bag of Mackintosh cloth hung under the case, half full of good 
air at the time of its attachment: the alterations of bulk consequent on 
changes of temperature, therefore, are provided for by the dilatation or 
shrinking of the bag, and no pressure is ever expected to pass air through 
the joints of the case. Unless, therefore, the plants themselves cause a 
permanent change in the constitution of the air (which some of the best- 
conducted experiments seem to render improbable), it will remain un¬ 
vitiated, and be subjected to those compensating changes only which the 
plants appear to make in light and darkness. 
I do not mean to fill the case with permanent plants until May next, 
and in the mean time shall make use of it to flower hyacinths, &c. If 
you have attended to the subject of Mr. Ward’s system, and should 
choose to suggest any experiments which the condition of this case may 
render practicable, I shall be happy to undertake them for you on your 
explaining your wishes. 
December 28th .—I have filled the case for three quarters of its depth 
with soil, have set on it several hundred bulbs (from snowdrops up to 
hyacinths, &c.) and have filled all the interstices between the bulbs with 
green moss. I have given only two gallons of water (Mr. Ellis’s 
appeared to me rather moist), and have closed all up: some time must 
elapse before any judgment can be formed from the appearance of the 
Fig. 69. 
GLASS-CASE FOR PLANTS. 
