THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 
305 
2. Preparation of the soil , and mode of planting. —The soil, as prepared 
by Mr. M‘Nab, consisted of the following ingredients, which were placed 
in the box in the order now to be stated. Its bottom was covered with 
broken potsherds to the depth of two inches, over which was spread one 
inch of very turfy loam ; the remaining space in the box was filled with 
soil, composed of equal parts of peat and loam, with which a portion of 
rough white sand, amounting to about one-twentieth part, and free from 
iron, was mixed. After being planted, between three and four gallons of 
water were freely showered over the tops of the plants from a fine-rosed 
watering pot; this was continued till the water ran freely from two holes 
made in the bottom of the box for that purpose. After draining for 
twenty-four hours, the holes were tightly fitted with corks ; and the glass 
roof, or cover, was then put on. 
The case, with its plants, was placed at the window allotted for it. 
The window has a southern aspect, and the morning sun strikes upon it 
several hours in the day. During this period, the temperature within the 
case was several degrees higher than that in the room; while in the absence 
of sunshine, or when a fire was kept up, the temperature of the room was 
highest. At other times, when neither sun nor fire prevailed, the tempe¬ 
rature within and without the case rose and fell simultaneously. At no 
period of the winter did the temperature in the room fall to the freezing- 
point ; nor, it is believed, rise in summer higher than to about eighty 
degrees. No fresh water was given during the whole period; nor was 
the door of the case opened but to remove a dead leaf or plant that had 
damped off. Once only was the cover taken off, in order to check the 
'Lycopodium stoloniferum , which had grown so luxuriantly as to shade 
and injure the other plants. 
3. List of plants growing in the case. —Most of the following were 
planted in May 1838, and none less than nine months ago. The remarks 
are by Mr. M‘Nab, and apply to the time of examination in May 1839. 
BOTANICAL NAMES. 
CONTINENT. 
COUNTRY. 
REMARKS. 
Chamaerops humilis 
Europe 
Italy, Sicily, Spain 
Increased ^ its original size. 
Gentiana verna 
Europe 
England < 
f Flowered, but no difference in 
[ size. 
Adiantum capillus Veneris 
Europe 
England 
Increased |. 
Primula farinosa 
Europe 
Scotland 
( Flowered; atmosphere rather 
l damp for it. 
„ scotica 
Europe 
Scotland 
f Flowered ; atmosphere rather 
l damp for it. 
Verbascum Myconi 
Europe 
Scotland 
Increased |. 
Androsace villosa 
Europe 
Scotland 
Flowered ; not very healthy. 
Chamaerops Palmetto 
N, America 
Carolina 
Increased 
Dionaea Muscipula 
N. America 
Carolina 
Made •§. 
Sarracenia purpurea' 
N. America 
Carolina 
Increased 4 times its original size. 
Epigaea repens 
N. America 
Carolina 
Increased 
