168 
WINDOW GARDENING 
amateur wants. They may be shifted from one window to another at pleasure, with 
little fear of dangerous consequences. If placed in the south window keep them 
back a little from the heat of the midday sun. A half shady position is much 
better than a sunny one. A northern out look will suit them admirably if not 
too cold, — and an eastern or western one is at all times suitable. 
It would be best to have tables provided especially for the fern case to rest 
upon. This should be strong and yet easily moved by castors, (use the brass 
ones, not the rubber or wooden ones.) 
If the cases are quite small, say 
within 9 inches diameter, they 
may be suspended, and some of 
these hanging ferneries are quite 
ornamental. 
The secret of good management 
is told in a few words, viz., tvater 
icell after planting, then shut up 
your case, and leave it to itself. 
A successful fern case grower, 
writes us that " the most success 
ful winter I ever had with ferns, 
was one in which I only watered 
the case once after planting, and 
only opened it a few times in the 
seven months from November 1st 
to June Ist^and then to remove 
dead fronds." 
If you water sufficiently at time 
of planting, (and you need not 
water any more than ordinarily 
for pot plants,) you will have no 
occasion to water again. The 
closed case prevents all evapora- 
tion. 
Some fronds of course will die 
or turn brown. These must of 
course be removed. Insects may 
invade 3'our little plant home, and 
Fig. 48.— Feru Pillar. thesc must be removcd, but there 
will not be many and they are easily disposed of. 
Some of our florists recommend ventilation for the case, feeling that the plants 
will be much the better for the pure air and the sunlight. This may be done 
only when the temperature of the outer and inner air is about the samo, and only 
for a short time. It should not be done frequently, but may be tri-id at long 
intervals of one or two months. 
