Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward¹ to Faraday   7 February 1840²

1 Welclose Square | Frid. Aft.

My dear Sir

I send you for exhibition this Evening three or four small cases. No. 1. contains Scilla sibirica which has been in flower above a month - cyclamem coum - crocuses Ornithogalum Sternbergia and one or two other plants not yet in flower[.]

This case was planted in October last & has stood outside the whole winter in a Balcony with a Southern aspect. No. 2. contains Crocuses which has stood inside a room the whole winter, where the therm[ometer] has never fallen to 32°. This increased temp accounts for the plants being rather drawn.

No. 3 was filled in Oct. 1837 - & contains succulent plants with a species of Aekillea which came up accidental[l]y in the soil. No. 4 although the least showy is by far the most interesting case of the whole. This case was filled at the Isle of France in Sept. 1837 with one or two small annuals by Mr Newman³ superintendent of the Botanic Garden & sent to me. I rec[eive]d it in Jany 1838. The little plants ran their course and perished, but observing that the surface of the mould at the sides of the glass was covered with seedling ferns I did not remove the canvas cover, but placed the bottle in one of my windows, where it has remained ever since. This case has suggested to me, among others, one very useful idea. I believe that the readiest way of procuring ferns from distant countries, would be to collect a handful or two of the earth from their respective localities, which earth might if conveniences offered be placed at once in small cases, or moderately dried, & then conveyed to any other country where they were intended to be grown.

I hope to be able to see you this evening.

I am My dear Sir | Yours most truly | N.B. Ward