English: The label reads:

"The Wardian case is a portable propagation container, which can be used to transport plants over a long distance. Before the invention of the Wardian case, plants were shipped in open containers on the decks of ships. Many plants died because of dehydration and salt spray. In 1829, the British physician and botanist Nathaniel Ward found a solution. He placed the plants in a closed case of glass. In the case, the plants grew in a more or less stabile environment without the influence of salt water. Sunlight could access the Wardian case easily through the large number of windows. The windows could be opened when a plant had to be taken in or out the case. Starting around 1830, many tropical plants were brought to Europe by means of the Wardian case.

Among them, cinnamon and clove trees from Java reached the Amsterdam Hortus, as did mango, cycads and several gingers. In addition to the invention of the Wardian case, two other factors influenced the transport of plants. The Nederlandse Handels-maatschappij (a Dutch multinational trading company) was founded and soon started transporting plants and the increasing use of steam vessels reduced the transportation time of the plants. "