November 23, 1833
#OTD Captain Charles Mallard wrote Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward.
Nathanial's wood & glass #Wardian Cases were little portable #Greenhouses on the deck of #Ships where they could absorb #Sunshine. Lined with soil, the case's battens kept #Pots upright. After watering, the case was nailed & tarred shut. Now #Plants could survive 6 -12 mos. on ships.
Captain Charles Mallard saw the cases worked like a charm & wrote:
"Your #Experiment for [keeping] plants alive... has fully succeeded."