186 WINDOW OARDENING. 
Fig. 67 is much more symmetrical in shape, and easily made. The frame of this, 
too, is made mostly of polished brass, and the glass sets down upon a groove 
made in the top of the stand, which is of wood. The interior is hollow, with a 
zinc basin for holding plants. 
Fig. 69 is aLady's Plant Case, a kind of Wardian case in miniature; and though 
not affording very spacious accommodations inside, still there is a good deal of 
novelty in its construction, sufficient to render it a very interesting object for 
either the drawing room or library. 
A bell glass, or shade, fits closely alf its base into a groove running all around 
the edge of a stand constructed usually of wood. 
Theiplants inside are in small pots not over four inches in diameter, although 
the proportions of the case may be enlarged from 18 inches in diameter up to 3 
feet, and afiord greater room. Any manufacturer of glass shades could make 
Buch a shade in a special mould, and any cabinet maker could fashion a tasteful 
table or stand beneath. 
Fie:s. 71, 72 are sketches of two very pretty Wardian Cases, exhibited at 
one of the Horticultural Society Exhibitions, and was much admired. They ad- 
mit of considerably greater outline than the previous designs of Ferneries, and 
are more ornamental. Fig. 70 is 7 feet high, 4 feet 2 inches wide, and 2 feet 6 
inches in breadth. 
Fig. 71 is 4 feet high, 3 feet broad, and 1 foot 11 inches wide. These are con- 
structed mostly with bright metallic frame work; the best quality of sheet glass 
is used; castors are fitted to the base, and at the back there is a little door to 
allow the entrance of the hand for watering the plants or removing dead leaves. 
Such designs as these, made to cover an entire collection of plants, should be 
generally adopted, aid tlieir manufacture encouraged. They do away altogether 
with the daily task of watering, they are absolutely free from dust, and the 
plants have a perpetual moisture inside, which affords not only the most desirable 
and uniform temperature, but conduces to health of habit, and freedom from in- 
sects. Our Window Gardeners must learn by practical experience that thei'C is 
but one practical solution to the difficulties of Window Gardening, " The plants 
must live in an atmosphere to themselves, shut out alike from the air of the 
room, and from the outer air.'"" 
In apartments lighted with gas, the use of these glass covers or shades is again 
made obvious, for no gas fumes will ever touch them. 
An opinion is general among amateurs, that these Wardian Cases must be 
perfectly air tight. This is not quite true; although they are fitted pretty close, 
yet they are not absolutely air tight. Indeed it is sometimes quite desirable that 
the case should be lifted a little to permit a free circulation of the air betwixt 
the interior and the exterior, especially if there is a surplus of moisture inside, 
and condenses so constantly upon the glass that the plant cannot be seen. 
A fact may often have been observed by flower lovers, that when two flowers are 
plucked, the one stuck with its stem into a bottle or vase of water, and the other 
thrown down into a wide basin of water, sc the petals as well as stem are in the 
