10 orchid-grower's manual. 



push up their young shoots as soon as the days lengthen and 

 the sun gains increased power. This being the case, when 

 the growing season commences, the temperature of the East 

 Indian house — the house in which the greatest heat is main- 

 tained, should be increased to 65° by night and 70° by day, 

 while by sun-heat it may be allowed to range up to 75°. As 

 the days lengthen, so the temperature may be permitted to 

 increase ; and during the months of May, June, July, and 

 August, it should range from 70° to 75° by night, and from 

 75° to 80° by day, or by sun-heat to 85°, or even 90°, which 

 will not do any harm, provided the plants are shaded from the 

 direct rays of the sun. 



The house devoted to the Brazilian plants and to some of 

 those from Mexico, should be heated to about 60° by night, 

 and from 65° to 70° by day ; and as the days lengthen the 

 temperature may be allowed to increase, so that during the 

 months of May, June, July, and August the night heat may 

 range from 65° to 70°, and by day from 70° to 85°. Great 

 attention should, at the same time, be paid to the state of the 

 atmosphere, as regards moisture. At all times of the year 

 this is of much importance to the successful growth of the 

 plants, for they derive the greater part of their subsistence from 

 moisture in the air, so that wherever any plants are growing, 

 the atmosphere should be well supplied with moisture : this is 

 obtained by pouring water over the tables, walls, and paths of 

 the house every morning and afternoon, thus causing a nice 

 moist heat to rise, which is of great value whilst the plants are 

 in a vigorous state of growth, especially as regards the East 

 Indian Orchids, such as Aerides, Saccolabium, Vancla, Phalts- 

 iiopsis, Dendrobium, and many others requiring a high tempe- 

 rature, with a considerable degree of moisture. The Brazilian 

 Orchids, most of which come from a cooler climate, not so 

 highly saturated with vapour, of course require less heat and 



