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in good collections, that it is needless to insist upon its importance. Rapidly growing plants, such as the different species 
of Phaius, Gongora, Peristeria, Stanhopea, &c., require to be broken up and entirely repotted every second or third year ; 
on the other hand there are some air-plants, &c., that may remain undisturbed for five or ten years together. 
3rd. Beware of noxious insects. 
Orchidacez are more particularly exposed to the attacks of the following insects—woodlice, crickets, and cock- 
roaches, the thrip, a minute woolly white scale, and a diminutive species of snail; the two last being infinitely the most 
pernicious. Woodlice are easily kept in check by placing the plants on saucers, or within troughs filled with water, 
especially if the valuable aid of a few toads be called in. The “ onyscamyntic epiphyte-stand” * invented by Mr. Lyons, 
is an ingenious and, no doubt, effectual way of accomplishing the same end. It is made by merely fixing a forked branch, 
or block of wood, to the raised centre of a massive saucer or feeder which, being kept constantly full of water, forms a 
sort of foss—impassable to vermin—round the plant it is intended to guard. Crickets and cockroaches are very fond of 
flower-scapes, and to be dreaded accordingly. Red wafers scattered over and among the pots, are to them very tempting 
baits, and, if swallowed, the red lead they contain acts as a poison, but these pests are best destroyed by the mixture 
recommended for the white scale. The thrip does not do much mischief, except where plants are either neglected, or 
grown in too hot and dry a temperature. It usually first appears among the Cataseta, and is to be removed by careful 
washing. Small snails abound in some collections, while, in others, they are unknown; it is difficult to conjecture whence 
they come, and all but impossible to eradicate them entirely. They batten upon the tenderest roots, such as plants put 
forth when they are just beginning to grow, and if not kept in check would speedily produce irretrievable mischief. 
Lettuce leaves, slices of potato, turnip, &c., are very enticing, and while they divert the attention of the enemy from the 
roots, they also afford an opportunity of capturing him. The collections which are watered exclusively with rain-water 
are the least infested. But the worst plague of all is the small white scale, which, in its first insidious approaches, appears 
only as a white speck upon the leaves, then covers them with a soft whitish down, and finally kills them. For this the 
following remedy will be found efficacious ; viz., dissolve half a pound of camphor in a pint of spirits-of-wine; the result 
will be an impalpable powder, to which add one pound of Scotch snuff; one ditto, pepper; one ditto, sulphur, and keep 
in a bottle (carefully stopped). ‘This mixture should be dusted over the infected parts, and repeated whenever or 
wherever the enemy shows itself. If persisted in for some time, the mixture rarely fails to effect a perfect cure; and it 
has the further good property of acting as a most deadly poison to cockroaches, &c., which have quite disappeared in the 
collection at Knypersley since this mixture came into frequent use. Besides the above annoyances, the red spider and 
the brown scale are frequently injurious, but never except in cases of gross neglect. 
4th. Give the plants a season of rest. 
Without a season of rest, most plants will not flower at all, and others do so very imperfectly. It is easily accom- 
plished in a variety of ways, either by moving the plants from the warmer to the cooler end of the house; or by 
diminishing the quantity of water; or by placing them in a cooler house. Even exposure in a hot, dry atmosphere, 
although it scorches their leaves, not unfrequently throws them into vigorous flower. Plants from the East Indies, and 
from other climates where the extremes of drought and wet are not felt so severely as in Brazil or Hindostan, require a 
season of rest proportionably short, and of a less decided character. 
5th. Attend to the condition of the air. 
In winter 60° to 65° is a wholesome temperature for most of the species; in the summer it may rise to 70° or 75°, or 
even higher if derived from the heat of the sun. Where there are two houses, the warmer one should not be lower than 
70° even in winter; but, fortunately, there are comparatively few kinds that insist upon so hot a berth. The air 
should always be soft, and nearly saturated with moisture. The latter should, however, be prevented from dripping 
upon the plants, as it condenses ; and this is easily effected by fixing a small copper pipe, or piece of channelled wood, under 
each rafter and sash-bar, to catch and carry off the water. 
6th. Do not over-water. 
This a beginner is very apt to do, and a grievous fault it is. When plants do not shrivel or flag, it is a sign that they 
are content with the humidity that the atmosphere of the house supplies. When watering is necessary, it should not be 
done indiscriminately, but according to the wants of particular plants. It is, also, of great importance to use rain-water 
only, which may be collected for the purpose in a tank, as shewn in the plan of Mr. Rucxer’s house, and which should 
* What a pity Mr. Lyons did not invent an easier name for his ingenious device. 
