CULTURE. 7 
the blinds in addition during hot sunshine. Permanent 
shading has the disadvantage of keeping the plants un- 
necessarily dark during dull weather—a condition which 
certainly conduces to weak growth and few flowers. 
About the end of March is the best time to fix up the 
blinds. It is during the earlier stages of growth that the 
greatest care is required. The sudden outbursts of bright 
sunshine, so characteristic of April and May, do much 
damage to the young growths if the direct rays are not 
warded off. As the leaves grow older and firmer in 
texture, they can withstand stronger sunlight; and as autumn 
approaches, shade may be altogether dispensed with. It 
should be clearly understood by beginners in Orchid-culture 
that, during the duller months, the more light Orchids get, 
the healthier they will be. The glass should be thoroughly 
washed, both inside and out, at the beginning of autumn; 
and in foggy districts, such as London, it will be neces- 
sary to frequently repeat this operation on the outside. It 
is an excellent plan to arrange together the various genera 
requiring a similar degree of shading. Thus, in the tropical 
house, the Dendrobiums, Catasetums, Mormodes, &c., 
which require more light than the majority of Orchids, may 
occupy one part where the blinds can be drawn up as 
soon in the afternoon as the sun’s power begins to wane, 
without interfering with the requirements of such shade- 
lovers as Phalznopsis. Also, in the intermediate house, 
the Cattleyas, Lelias, &c., should occupy one part, and the 
Miltonias, Lycastes, &c., another. 
Details on this, and other points with regard to treat- 
ment, will be found in the cultural notes for each genus. 
Terrestrial Orchids. 
Notwithstanding the fact that many of the Orchids which 
grow upon the ground in a wild state are found in strong 
