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pate, Mr. Norman, Mr. Aticarp, Mr. Cox, and Mrs. Lawrence, all in the neighbourhood of London,—Mr. BrockLe- 
wurst, at Macclesfield—Mr. Horsratt and Mr. Moss, at Liverpool,—and Mr. WankLYN and Mr. Bow, at Manchester. 
There are also good collections at Enville (Lorp Stamrorp); Arley (Lorp Mountnorris); at Carclew (Sir CHaRLEs 
Lemon); Penllargare (Mr. Luswetyy); Bicton (Lavy Rotte), &c. &c.; in fact an epiphyte-house is already considered an 
almost indispensable adjunct to a place of any consideration. 
Although many of the collections above enumerated are nearly on a par, as respects the number of species they con- 
tain, there is a wide difference in the modes of culture employed, and in the degree of success attained ; and, therefore, a 
tour among those of greatest note would be of more service to the young Orchis-grower than any code of instructions 
that might be laid down for his guidance. 
The collections which may be studied with the greatest advantage, are those of the Duxr of Devonsuire, at 
Chatsworth; the Messrs. Loppicss, at Hackney; the Rev. Jonn Ciowes, of Broughton Hall, near Manchester; and Mr. 
Rucker, of West Hill, Wandsworth. The two first are on an immense scale, and are dispersed through several 
houses, which differ in their temperature and general arrangements, according to the particular section of the tribe that 
they are intended to accomodate. At Chatsworth, the largest epiphyte-house is maintained at a moderate temperature, 
and contains a large number of Nipalese and South American species; while a smaller house, in which a much higher 
degree of heat prevails, is devoted to plants from such sultry localities as Sierra Leone, the Mauritius, and the East India 
Isles. At the establishment of the Messrs. Loppicss, a house immensely long, and hot and damp almost to suffocation, 
contains their principal collection of Orchidacez, a smaller house and lower temperature being reserved for the remainder. 
In the great house are some magnificent specimens, and the general aspect of the plants is vigorous and healthy ; but the 
system tends to produce exhaustion, and the number of plants seen in flower is smaller in proportion than at Chatsworth.* 
The collections of Mr. Crowes and Mr. Rucker are admirably grown, and the houses in which they are disposed, 
seem so well adapted to serve as models, that, with the permission of the owners, a ground plan of each is given 
in a subsequent page. Mr. Rucker’s} plants are the most vigorous; but the house of Mr. Ciowss is the most 
enjoyable, and displays Orchidaceze to greater advantage than any other that we have hitherto seen. The plans will 
explain themselves. ) 
And now as respects the leading points in cultivation. Supposing the plants established in a suitable house—which 
is an indispensable preliminary—the following rules will be found to contain all that is most essential for their successful 
management. 
Ist. The plants can scarcely have too much light or too little sun. 
Light prevents mildew, strengthens the fibre, and checks the disposition to throw up a succession of weakly shoots, 
which are quite incompatible with the production of flowers. The sun, on the contrary, scorches and turns the leaves 
yellow, especially when it first begins to shine powerfully upon plants that have just left their winter quarters. In order 
to secure as much light as possible, many species should be suspended in the air from rafters or chains, some being placed 
on blocks of wood (cork-wood is the best) or fragments of cocoa-nut husks, and others in baskets of wire or wicker-work 
filled with moss and broken peat, or in pots with pierced sides. ‘The latter answer perfectly for plants (e. g. the Saccola- 
biums) which are of slow growth, and thrust their roots into the air. Baskets answer best for Stanhopeas and the like. 
Examples of all these contrivances will be seen in the vignette at the conclusion of this article. To prevent injury from 
the rays of the sun, shading is, of course, necessary, but this should be so arranged as to be easily removed, as it ought 
not to be continued for more than ten or twelve hours on the very longest summer’s day. Exotic climbing plants, intro- 
duced sparingly, are advantageous, and have a good effect. 
2nd. Take care of the roots. 
On the health of the roots everything depends. The winter is with them the most critical season, for if suffered to 
grow too dry they shrivel up and perish; if too wet, they rot. Much, of course, depends upon the mode in which the 
plants are potted, and which should be such as to admit of their readily parting with all superfluous moisture ; and to 
secure this nothing is better than a plentiful admixture of broken potsherds. High-potting is now so generally practised 
* An example of perfectly natural treatment will, probably, ere long be afforded in the great conservatory at Chatsworth, where the palms and other glories of 
the tropical forest will soon be ready—at the rate they are now progressing—for the reception of epiphytes of all denominations. 
¢ Mr. Rucker has kindly sent the following memorandum of the mode of treatment, &c., at West Hill :—“ Our average temperature, in winter, is about 65° at the 
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warm end of the house, which usually falls to about 60° at the other end, in summer 75° to 80°. I find that all the plants from temperate climates thrive better at the cool 
end of this long house than in another where is less moisture, and a lower temperature.” 
