Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-02-21
Gardening HObby
Art of Terranium
Gardens Explained
By Show Officials

Terraniums, miniature green
houses, Wardian cases, or what
ever underglass gardeners choose to
call them, will be on display in
the exhibit ofthe Garden Clubs of
Greater Washington which will
form part Of the National Capital
Flower and Garden Show due at
the National Guard Armory on
March 6.
About Ia terrariums from the
Washington area are scheduled
for the show.
HOw-tO-DO-It
For those would be Terranium
|. fanciers, the Garden Show Com
mittee has released information on
both the history and how-to-do-it
on these interesting relaxatlons
for indoor gardeners.
The first Terrarium was invent
ed by accident in London in 1929
by Dr. Nathaniel Ward when he
buried the chrysalis Of a Sphinx
Moth in a glass jar covered with
; metal liz. Nothing is known
about the fate of the chrysalis,
for DR.. Ward was too excited by
the fern and grass which appear
ed in the bottle and continued to
thrive without additional water
for nearly four years. Finally
While DR.. Ward was away, the lid
rusted ana let rain into the jar,
waterlogglng the soil and causing
the plants to rot.
He experimental with many
types of plants and kept some
ferns growing for Is years and
some palms in another jar for Is.
He felt that there was no reason
why they shouldn't be kept going
Tor 30 or 100 years.
A glass-encased garden is spar
ed the exigencies of modern apart
ment dwelling, for instance, where
. drafts, dust, and the endeavors of
the apartment house janitor to
turn the average living-room into
the dried out atmosphere of Sa-
hara desert, play hob with strug-
Cling plant life. Terrariums are
never watered, as sun shining
through the glass makes the
; leaves vaporize.
: Best Containers
Fish bowls, battery jars, and
: brandy snifters are among the
many containers used for these
gardens, but are not too satisfac-
tory, as there is no means of es-
cape for soil water and, as a re-
suit, the plants will not last more
than six months. Miniature green
houses, IL inches by 26 inches, are
new on the market, or it is DOS
sible for the would-be Terrarium
gardener to build his own.
A flat box about four inches
deep, will serve as base. If there
are no cracks, five or six half-inch
holes should be bored inthe sur
face to permit water to escape.
Have a glazier cut two pieces of
glass about sixteen inches wide
, (this dimension will be the heigh.
: of the Terrarium but can vary ac-
: cording to the size of the box. so
that it is in proportion). These
two pieces should BY the exact
length of the inside dimensions Of
the flat length-wise. Two more
pieces should be cut the same
heights and width of the box, less
two thicknesses of the glass. These
, are used for the sides.
One additional piece, quarter
inch in excess of the inside and
breadth is cut to serve as the
: cover. The side and end pieces are
, fitted vertically in the flat and
r soil, which will help hold the flat
is put in place. The exposed
/ joints are bound with adhesive
d tape.
Careful Planting
For planting, a one-inch lave,
). of coarse sand, or fine grave
$ should be placed in the bottom
4 first covering the drainage hole,
!. with pieces of broken flower not
A thin layer of moss over tn,
drainage is desirable to keep the
fine soil from sitting down anc
clogging it. Add several pieces OF
charcoal if there are no drainag,
holes. Mix two parts fiberou,
loan (not too rich), two part,
coarse sand and one part flake,
: leaf mold. (Soil must not be to,
5 rich, as plants then grow too fast
> A hairpin or knitting needle make,
good planting tool. Earth SHOULD
u not be packed, but left loos,
{ around the plants. When tn,
s. plants are set, they should be wa
: tered enough to make the soil mois
d and to wash off any crumbs of dir
from the leaves.
: Care should be taken in selectin,
4 plants which respond to a green
4