CULTURE. 9 
regulated, the plants do not dry at the root so quickly as 
when this is neglected. All Orchids require the atmosphere 
about them to be kept moist—almost at saturation point— 
whilst they are in active growth. This is provided by 
pouring water upon the stages, floors, and walls of the 
house several times a day. Amateurs had better not syringe 
their Orchids overhead till they have had some practice in 
their cultivation. In hot weather it is perfectly safe to 
dew the plants overhead late in the afternoon; but if the 
atmosphere is kept well charged with moisture, the syringe 
pneed not be used. 
When growth is completed and ripened, most Orchids 
should be allowed to rest—vz.e., water should be supplied 
much less frequently, or not at all, and the atmosphere kept 
drier than when the plants were growing. But different 
kinds require different treatment in this respect, and the 
details will be best stated in the cultural notes for each 
genus. In a great many cases the production of flowers 
is altogether controlled by the kind of rest the plants get. 
No matter how strong and perfect the growth made, if the 
treatment during rest is not proper no flowers will be 
developed. When to water, and when to withhold water, 
are, therefore, questions of importance in the management 
of Orchids. 
In every case soft, or razz, water should be used. For 
damping the stages, &c., ordinary tap-water answers; but 
for the plants at the roots, soft water should always be 
provided. 
Ventilation. 
Orchids require the same constant supply of fresh air as 
do other plants, and no more. Unfortunately, however, this 
is one of the requisites which is rarely understood by 
