Wardian Case
Wardian Cases are invaluable for packing pot-plants that have to travel long sea voyages. By their aid many new and rare plants of foreign climates are annually imported into this country, and others which we possess are exported in a similar way. The importation and exportation of plants in Wardian Cases is mostly conducted by some of the principal nurserymen and those in charge of botanic gardens, who usually make special arrangements, so that what they send away or have sent to them shall be of sufficient value and importance to warrant the outlay incurred, which is often somewhat considerable. Certain seasons are also selected for sending plants to particular countries abroad, such as are best calculated to favour a safe voyage in respect of the effect of climatic conditions on the plants during transit. Wardian Cases are made in different sizes to hold small or somewhat large plants, as the case may be. The pots are usually packed in soil or cocoa fibre, and held in position by narrow strips of wood, which are firmly secured by nailing them close down on the top of each inside the Case. The roof, if it may be so called, is made of two frames which fit on the ends and meet together at the top, where they form a ridge. They are glazed, and the glass protected by thin pieces of wood, which are fixed a short distance apart, so as to allow as much light as possible to pass to the plants inside. One or both of these sash-frames is movable, and may be unscrewed and taken off for the purpose of packing or unpacking. When travelling, Wardian Cases are nearly air-tight, so that but little evaporation or change of air can take place, only a small circular hole, covered with perforated zinc, being allowed at each of the ends near the top. The frames in which the glass is embedded are made air-tight by being fitted up with putty before being screwed. Instructions are invariably given as to the part of a ship where Wardian Cases should be placed during the voyage.
Other kinds of Wardian Cases are those used for plant-culture in drawing-rooms, &c., and in ferneries, for the special accommodation of Filmy Ferns, and such as require a very moist atmosphere. The former, with the stands on which they are placed, are usually rendered ornamental for associating with the surroundings, and have a fine appearance when filled with green Ferns, small foliage plants, and Lycopods. In Ferneries, such cases may be quite plain externally; they, of course, answer their purpose equally well for preserving moisture inside.