62 orchids: how to grow them successfully. 



occasion, for they derive so much of their nourishment from the 

 atmosphere by means of their roots and the under surface of the 

 foliage. 



Soot water is an excellent thing to apply to the paths for 

 evaporation, but those living in large smoky towns would never 

 dream of applying soot, the air being already sufficiently charged 

 with it. Lime water can also be used, but I doubt if it would be 

 beneficial in districts where the water supply comes through chalk. 

 Guano, in small quantities, sprinkled on the floor occasionally, I 

 never knew to do any harm, and I have often thought that plants 

 showed increased vigour and strength when it was used in this 

 way. I also use liquid farmyard manure, by pouring the contents 

 of a small watering can on the floor occasionally, and of an 

 evening when all is quiet. The evaporation from such stimulants 

 being desirable, not so much for inducing moisture as for producing 

 a manurial stimulant in the atmosphere. Cultivators will also please 

 to remember the plan I have already indicated of providing a supply 

 of new leaves, laid on slates or tiles, over the hot water pipes, to 

 produce evaporation and assist in maintaining an even moist 

 temperature. I have at times poured liquid manure into the 

 troughs on the hot water pipes with good results, the ammonia 

 from it escaping gradually into the house. 



PROTECTION FROM COLD DURING WINTER. 



Although we cannot do without fire heat, eveiy successful 

 cultivator tries to do with as little as possible ; of course, duly 

 considering what the requisite temperature should be and the 

 health of his plants require. In very cold weather, when it is 

 necessary to drive the fire hard, an impoverishing aridity in the 

 atmosphere of the house is the result, and even then the thermo- 

 meter may still show a temperature below the given point. It 

 frequently happens that plants, especially those near the roof or 

 standing near the glass ends of the house, have, in the morning, a 

 heavy dew-like moisture on them, and this sometimes remains on 

 the plants the whole day. This is not a satisfactory state of 

 things for the plant, and is brought about by the condensation 

 that arises from the extreme cold air outside acting upon the 

 glass with very much warmer air inside. A simple and effectual 

 remedy in such a case is to apply some kind of protecting material 



