60 ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



that it is convonient to have the house higher, as some of the 

 Intermediate house Orchids have a taller habit of growth and 

 require more head room ; and the side ventilation, except that 

 opposite the pipes, may also be dispensed with. The centre stage 

 need not be quite so high as in the Cool house, and can have wider 

 top space to accommodate tall growing specimens. The same 

 arrangement will be required for the leaves over the hot-water 

 j)ipes as is advised for the cooler house. 



THE WAEM, OE EAST INDIA HOUSE 



should have the same aspect as the preceding structure, so that 

 full advantage, may be taken of the light and shade afforded, and 

 which is so necessary to the occupants of this house. The roof 

 should be high, and somewhat flatter, but well supported, in order 

 that the interior may be utilised to its full extent for suspending 

 plants, many of the Warm-house Orchids thriving much better 

 when near the glass. The centre stage (^4.) should be rather lower 

 than figured, the soft water tank running the full length of the 

 stage ; and it is a good plan to run a one-inch pipe right through 

 the wsitev in the cistern, and connected with the other pipes, so 

 that the v/ater for the supply of the plants may be warmed 

 to about ten degrees above the temperature of the house, as it 

 then gives off a moisture most beneficial to the plants when in a 

 growing state, but care nmst be taken not to have the one-inch 

 pipe too hot, or steam will be generated to such an extent as to 

 injui-e the young growth of the plants, causing spot or rot. 

 Should no tank exist, it then becomes necessary to have a supply 

 of water in the house for watering piu-poses, either in cans, pails, 

 or other utensils, which should be placed in the house sufficiently 

 long to be warmed as nearly as possible to the temj)erature of the 

 house. 



As this structure is high, necessitating perhaps more side glass, 

 it is also a good plan to have roller blinds fixed on the south side 

 of the house, although a permanent shading of whiting, mixed with 

 milk, can be used; or summer cloud will answer the same 

 purpose, but roller blinds are much to be preferred, as they can 

 be rolled up in dull weathei-. Side ventilation (not bottom) is 

 unnecessary, and what is known as "drip" must be prevented, drip 

 being caused by water from the moist atmosphere condensing on 



