Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-06


AN UPRIGHT FKRNERY.
sitting room about the construction of case
which could be fitted to a window, and
find that my description of the one made by
my friend was not perfectly understood
1t has been suggested that I furnish al
article to be accompanied by design which,
if it does not make my description clearer,
Will be sufficient to give carpenter an idea
ofwhat is required, and take pleasure in
complying with the request.
The accompanying illustration gives a
rough outline of the case when placed at
the window. The front and sides should
be of sash, glazed; the top and bottom Of
wood. The front should be in two sections.
hung on hinges, like doors, to swing open
and give one chance to get at the plants.
One shelf will be sufficient That will be
better if of wire than of wood, as the light
viii receive less obstruction, and the dom
inant idea of fernery should be airiness or
Eghtness of construction Any thing heavy
and clumsy in character is not only not In
keeping with the class of plants TO be
grown in such a case, but positively de-
tracts from their graceful appearance. If
the frame of the case could be made Of
iron, the general effect would be greatly
improved, because it would be lighter in
appearance; but as it will have to be made
at home, or by the local carpenter, unless
some manufacturer sees money in the idea,
wood VIII have to be used. If hard wood Is
chosen for the material of the frame, it can
be made lighter than pine and still be as
strong. But the material will have to be
left to the choice of the maker, or the per-
son who has one made.
1t should be at least eighteen inches deep.
BY that / mean that there should be a
space of eighteen inches between the front
and the window against which it is placed.
Its height and width will have to be in
correspondence with the size of the window
at which it is to be placed would make
1t the full size of the window, rather than
of half the window, as many more plants
can be kept in il, and the effect will be so
much finer, while the cost will not be
greatly increased. 1t should rest on
wide shelf placed on the window sill, which
shelf should be supported from below by
brackets or braces of some sort. The case
can be fastened to the window frame at the
corners by little hooks which slip into eyes
screwed into the frame. Any carpenter viii
readily understand the details of this part
of the work without further instruction
The window at which it is placed should
have two thicknesses of glass between the
plants and outdoors. A storm sash can be
screwed TO the outside of the frame. This is
necessary, for with but one thickness of
glass, the delicate fronds of ferns would be
sure to be injured if they came in contact
with frosty pane. When there are two
panes between them and the outside air
the frost never collects on the inner one,
and their foliage win not be injured by cold
if allowed to touch the glass. would ad-
wise keeping it from the glass as much as
possible, however, for if moisture collects
and runs down the glass it generally Injuries
the foliage with which 1t comes and remains
IL contact.
would not advise planting your ferns in
pan of earth at the bottom of the case /
much prefer growing them in pots You
have them under better control in pot.
You can change them about To suit you.
The stronger growing kinds can not crowd
out the more delicate sorts when each has q
pot of its own. If you object to the looks Of
pots plant TradeScantia, or some such vine,
in little pots, and place among the ferns,
and in short time all unsightlineSs viii be
hidden by its pretty foliage.
For the center Of such case / would Sc
lect some fern of robust habit II the WIN
dow is of ordinary size, pteris tremula, or
pteris robusta, or arygea, the variegated
variety, will do well. Among the more
delicate sorts l would select adiantum Gu
neatum, and A. gracillimum. These reser-
bic the native maiden hair quite closely in
general appearance, but their fronds are
lighter and more delicate. A. gracillinum
suggests lace in its airy beauty. 1t is enc
of the finest Of all ferns.
FOR hanging basket at the upper part Of .
the case would advise the sword fern.
NV, 10 &C
be used. The new asparagus tenuissimus
ought to be found extremely useful here.
as the climbing fern, Lygodiurl scandens.
from Japan, will be sure to be. Nothing
finer for climbing can be found than the lag
ter variety.
Rex begonias will flourish in such a case,
and delight you with the magni fcence of the
coloring of their great leaves.
Lycopodiums and Sehganellas will grow
as wei here as IN a greenhouse. If vour
case is not filed till spring. vou can take
ferns and other shade and moIsture-lo,-ir-
plants from the woods, and IN q short li,na
they will adapt themselves TO the ne,y1ra,-
ditions and make fine growth. You VIII
find that you can grow almost any plant IN
such case that does well in a moist green
house, and many plants will flourish here
that you can do nothing with in the ordinary
W luOo". tnS EldSS EODHntS tllS atElOS-
phere in which water is held in suspension,
and the consequence is that the plants have
that moist air to grow in that Is Just adapt
ed to their requirements. When the air
comes in contact with the glass the moist
ure is condensed, and water trickles down
the panes.
Air should be admitted daily Open the
doors, and leave them open until the moist
are on the glass disappears. Care must be
saEen in watering. On account of the con-
hned condition OF the air, evaporation does
not take place very rapidly, therefore twill
not De necessary to water often. As long
as moisture collects freely on the glass, you
may know that the soil is wet enough If
more IS gwen there is danger of stagnation
and sour soil.
The best soil for ferns and any plant of
similar nature is earth from the woods.
You VIII find places where leaves have
drifted in and about old stunps and logs.
In time they rot, and form a light. rich soil.
which is generally full of tiny, t;brous roots.
This sarfh-the trpe laaf-mnld-is inst what