WIXDOW GARDENING. 
161 
ai.y knowledge of it, but it is one of the few things which in time will be as pop- 
ular as flowers themselves are, and every window will be decorated with their 
presence. 
It has been an invaluable means of introducing to the floral world, and suc- 
cessfully growing many most delicate plants from the tropics which otherwise 
would scarcely ever have been seen out of their native haunts. By its use the 
Botanist has been enabled to transport plants to and from great distances through 
extremes of climate; and j-et so unfailing has been the working of it that rapes 
judiciously planted have been knovn 
to maintain their freshness and vigor 
for nine years, and no air or water 
was ever supplied in that time. 
It is quite curious, to watch its 
operation, and to many it is evidently 
as much of an enigma as a plea- 
sure. 
Apparently, moisture is constantly 
being condensed and deposited on 
the glass sides of the case. This 
supplies the plants within, who givo 
it out again, and yet none escapes ; 
thus affording the spectacle of a little 
world by itself. 
This moisture is very desirable for 
the growth of ferns, and in no other 
form can they be so successfully and 
evenly maintained as here ; nor can 
any other variety of plants furnish 
so interesting a study. 
The Lycopodiums are very suitable 
and grow very satisfactorily. They 
drop their pendant roots, and, under 
the influence of the moisture, spread 
rapidly along the surface of the earth 
in the case, and filling up the bare 
spots, make a velvety covering of light 
feathery green, thus inducing shade 
and moisture. ^ v\^.l\.-&. Fem vaser" " 
Countless seedlings of ferns and lycopodiums will spring up, of the different 
varieties, and their unfolding fronds and subsequent development will be exceed- 
ingly interesting to you. You will be agreeably astonished and surprised when 
some fern, supposed by you to be dead, suddenly raises its head above the sur- 
face and shoots rapidly upward to let you see its vitality is not to be questioned. 
As a pleasure, ihen, the "Wardian case deserves a cordial reception : but it wili 
11 
