236 
THE cottage GARDENER AND COUNTRY ' 
their wants been described. I think he would have j 
been obliged to confess that fresh air was one want re¬ 
quiring a daily supply. 
If any plants at all would exist in a close atmosphere 
it would be the Orchideae ; yet, in my long experience of 
their culture, I always found them thrive better, flower 
more freely and with brighter colour, when a measure of 
fresh air was admitted every mild day, whether the 
season was winter or summer. The manner of admit¬ 
ting this fresh air is a different matter. It should never 
be allowed to blow directly amongst the . plants. The 
only species of plants that I can conceive will thrive in 
a close case are Mosses; hut they must be placed in 
such a position that the sun should scarcely ever shine 
upon them. A friend of mine, now no more, once 
attempted their culture in a lean-to house behind a 
north wall, and succeeded very well; but even here be 
allowed the door to stand open an hour or two every 
day. I wish I had a case similarly situated; I would try 
to cultivate that delicately beautiful but neglected tribe. 
With these few somewhat rambling remarks and ideas 
I must return to the main object of my present writing, 
namely, the management of Wardian cases, by which 
term 1 mean such as “Annah” describes having noticed 
in No. 426 of The Cottage Gardener, and also some 
of a larger size, so as to meet the wishes of other corre¬ 
spondents. “Annah” wishes to know the soil, manner 
of planting, and the kinds of Ferns suitable for a small 
case. I will undertake her case first, dividing my subject 
nearly as she has done, namely, 1st, Soil; 2nd, Situation; 
3rd, Planting; 4th, Management; 5th, List of Ferns 
suitable for a small case. 
1st, Sotl. —Any curious observer of such matters, who 
has had the opportunity of seeing Ferns growing in a 
wild state, must have noted that a great number of kinds 
grow on rocks on the north side, or that side least ex¬ 
posed to the sun, or else in shady woods. It is true 
there are some that grow in swampy places, and others 
in shady thickets, but very few iu exposed places. Now, 
if we wish to succeed in bringing these wild denizens 
under cultivation, it is needful to imitate the soil in 
which they grow ; therefore let me advise “ Annah ” and 
others to first procure some peaty soil, such as Heaths 
grow in, and also some turfy loam and a few broken, 
sandy stones, or even pumice stone ; beat the peat and 
sift out the finer particles; then mix that, the loam, and 
the stones together, and fill the case nearly full of this 
mixture or compost, first placing a thin layer of broken 
pots at the bottom ; the case is then ready to receive the 
Ferns. Observe this, however, first—choose a few of the 
most picturesque-looking stones: pumice stone is always 
so. These are intended to place on the surface of the 
soil amongst the Ferns, and may be so placed as to 
represent tiny rocks; they serve, also, to keep the soil 
moist, thus avoiding the necessity of frequent waterings 
2nd, Situation. —The best situation for a Wardian 
case filled with Ferns is to place it on a stand near to 
a window facing the morning sun. The afternoon sun, 
however, would answer nearly as well. I have no 
notion of growing even Ferns in the dark I have 
always found two or three hours of sunshine of advan¬ 
tage, especially for giving them a full, dark green colour, 
and drying the damp moisture of the glass. 
3rd, Planting. —Having fixed upon a suitable position, 
and procured a proper stand for the case, you may then 
proceed to put iu the plants. The bottom of the case 
and its glass cover should always be in two distinct 
divisions, so that the former can be filled and planted 
more conveniently. I have had cases to fill where I 
had only n small door to admit the plauts and my hands 
to plant them—a task of considerable difficulty. Now, 
however, I believe all such cases are made to have the 
bed to contain the earth and plants and the cover 
separately. I suppose the plants to be healthy and young, 
GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, January 6, 1857. 
. and in small pots. The planter should know which are : 
the tallest growers, and which are dwarf or low in habit. : 
For small cases three rows will be ample; the centre one 
should contain such Ferns as are tall, and the two side 1 
rows those of low growth. I generally set the plauts 
in their places in their pots agreeably to the above regula- | 
tion ; then remove the plants on one side row, and plant ! 
the centre row, keeping that row rather elevated above the 
side ones. When the first row is planted then place a 
few of the stones among them. If variety of surface is 
desired, that may be obtained by so placing the tiny 
rocks as to give an irregular surface. When this first or 
centre row is finished planting, then plant the row that 
had been removed to allow room to plant the first one. 
Arrange the stones as the work proceeds, and then plant 
the last row, leaving all neat and tidy. If you choose, \ 
you may place among the plants some light-coloured j 
shells or pieces of spar. If judiciously done, such j 
things give a variety of colour that is always pleasing. j 
When all is finished give a good watering to thoroughly 
wet and settle the soil;stones, shells, &c., in their places; 
then allow a little time for the foliage and surface of the 
soil to become dry, and after that has occurred place on 
the cover or glass top. If the case is a round one put 
a tallish-growing sort in the centre, and surround it 
with the smaller species. 
4th, Management. —I wrote above somewhat strongly 
in favour of giving air. A contrivance to allow lhat 
should always be adopted. As soon as the glass 
cover is put on, the inner surface will be covered 
with dewy moisture, completely shading the plants from 
being seen. This may be allowed for a few days, until 
tbe plants begin to push new roots. After that air must 
be given to allow the moisture to evaporate. If the 
inside can be wiped dry occasionally it will be of service. 
When the superfluous moisture on the surface of the 
soil is evaporated this deposit of moisture on the glass i 
will be much diminished; then rather less air in cold 
weather may be given. 
As the soil will in time become dry it should be then 
watered ; but I would always recommend the glass top, 
if possible, to be removed when the watering is done, 
and kept off for an hour or two till the leaves are dry. 
Excessive moisture is sure to cause mouldiness to appear 
on the older and even very young foliage, which is 
always injurious, and spreads rapidly if not checked by 
a drier atmosphere. On this rock many a cultivator of 
plants in Wardian cases has struck, and thereby ruined 
his plants. 
Another point is, to be on the look out constantly for j 
any decaying matter, such as leaves and moss, and to 
remove it instantly to prevent infection. Also, if any 
plant dies from any known or unknown cause, let its 
place be filled up with a young, healthy plant of the 
same species, or one of similar habit. Many species are 
deciduous, that is, lose their leaves in the cold season. 
Such should have their old fronds cut down the moment 
they begin to turn yellow. Decaying leaves in such a 
confined space are injurious to the evergreen species, 
the decaying matter giving out an effluvia or gas that is 
almost death to living plants in a very short time. I 
need scarcely mention that no weeds should be allowed i 
to exist in the case; they should be plucked up carefully 
as soon as they appear. 
Renewing the Plants. —However carefully a Wardian 
case is managed, a time will come when it will be 
necessary to take up all the plants that may be living, and 
to remove tbe old soil. Then is a good opportunity for 
cleaning and painting, and doing any slight repairs that 
may be needful to the case. A few fresh plants, also, 
should be procured and planted. This renewal will be 
necessary about every third year. 
The above instructions are meant chiefly for a small 
Wardian case; but the same points of culture apply to 
