I have no

room for a cold frame, and no suitable

window for plants; yet the win

ter is long, with nothing fresh

and green to cheer me.

Is there no way I can grow

flowers?" exclaims some one, almost in despair.

Patience a while, my friend; this chapter is for your benefit.

Flowers are so universally loved, and accepted every where as necessities of the moral life, that whatever can be done to render their cultivation easy, and to bring them to perfection in the vicinity of, or within the household, must be regarded as a benefaction.

But in the midst of the smoke and dust of the city there is but one way to have real verdure, in the freshness of its original strength and life, and that is, by the culture of it in Wardian cases.

Not only may many ornamental plants be thus preserved in full beauty in the midst of a dry, dusty atmosphere, but the rarer and more delicate forms of vegetation, which refuse the tenderest care under ordinary circumstances, readily submit to domestication, and manifest high development of beauty in these cases, if the requirements of their constitutions are severally fulfilled.

It was in the year 1829 that Mr. Ward placed the chrysalis of a sphinx in some mould, in a glass bottle, covered with a lid, in order to obtain a perfect specimen of the insect. After a time, a speck or two of vegetation appeared on the surface of the mould, and to his surprise

turned out to be a fern and a grass. His interest was awakened; he placed the bottle in a favorable situation, and found that the plants continued to grow, and maintain a healthy appearance. On questioning himself about the matter, the answers readily presented themselves, inasmuch as air, light, moisture, and the other requirements of the plants, were contained within the bottle. This was the first Wardian case.

The experiment was extended; the case was shown to be self-supporting, and admirably adapted to some kinds of plants. Further experiment showed that while the Wardian case, as an air-tight structure, was in many cases a success, yet for a great proportion of plants a change of air is necessary, and thus at the present time the Wardian case is simply a green-house on a small scale, ventilation and heat being provided according to the requirements of the plants grown.

In a close case some ferns will live and flourish; others will maintain their beauty for a time, and then perish.

In a close case it is impossible to raise flowering plants of any kind, and whatever may be grown in such a structure will be more or less drawn, spindling, and sickly. The glass will usually be in a semi-opaque condition, from excessive condensation of moisture.

Let us, however, regard ventilation as a necessity. The Wardian case becomes a miniature green-house, and we can grow almost any thing. Before, we were confined to ferns, because of all plants they bear a damp imprisonment with wonderful patience; but now the field is open for the introduction of flowers of the choicest kinds, and by applying heat, the working department of plant propagation may be carried on in-doors with success. In the design of an oblong, rectangular case, graceful outlines may be attained by the adoption of the following proportions:

First, determine the general dimensions of your case; then, whatever is to be its length, let the width be nearly one half. If from right to left it is to measure thirty-two inches, let its breadth from back to front be fourteen or fifteen. The height of the glass sides should be the same

Then to roof it, let the

as the breadth of the case. summit of the roof be formed of four sloping sides, surmounted by a flat top; and let the flat top be as much above the edges of the four sides as half the height of those sides; then you will have an angular object, possessing as much grace as can be infused into the simple rectangular design. One side of the top should be fixed on hinges, so as to give occasional ventilation. material for the frame may be metal or wood.

The

Now, it will be better to have a stand made expressly for it, with four legs, and an elliptical arch of fretted work, to break the monotony of straight lines. The stand may be varied very much to suit individual taste; light work is more suitable than heavy carving. Of course, the principles of art may be applied to glass structures in many ways, so as to insure grace of outline.

The above has only been given by way of example; every variation may be adopted, but it may be remarked that imitations of villas, temples, with many corners, and fancy convolutions, or any intricate design that may be adopted for a Wardian case, is more likely to produce puerility than grace. Let the form be simple, and the proportions symmetrical, and you will not hereafter fail to be pleased with your work.