THE -FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 41 
wood, because of the greater durability. The close stage should 
have a layer of shingle or gravel, from which all the sand and the 
stones larger than a hazel-nut have been removed, and this layer 
may be from one to two inches in thickness, and to keep it in its 
place tack a strip of wood along the edge of the stage. The path- 
way may be formed with tiles or stones, as may be most readily 
procurable. The space under the stages should be surfaced with 
Selaginella denticulata, and a line of free-growing ferns planted along 
the side of the pathway. The ferns have a pleasing appearance, and 
the mcisture rising from the shingle is most conducive to the health 
of the orchids on the stages above. 
To maintain a suitable temperature throughout the year three 
rows of four-inch pipes should be fixed on each side of the division 
intended for the temperate species, and two rows on each side of 
that for the cool kinds, the boiler to be fixed nearest the division in 
which the highest temperature is to be maintained, and valves fixed 
so that the heat can be shut off from the coolest division when 
required. 
Sor anp Reporrine.—The materials required for potting orchids 
are peat, consisting chiefly of fibrous matter, sphagnum moss, char- 
coal, and crocks. Suitable peat and the sphagnum can be purchased 
at the principal nurseries. The charcoal is required for mixing with 
the peat and sphagnum, and should be broken up into pieces of the 
size of a cob-nut. All the species do not require the addition of 
chareoal, but there is no risk of its being otherwise than beneficial 
to them. The crocks are wanted for drainage, and also for mixing 
with the peat and sphagnum. When required for the latter purpose, 
break them into pieces of the same size as the charcoal, but those 
for the drainage must be proportionate to the size of the pots, which, 
as a rule, should be filled to nearly two-thirds of their depth with 
crocks, and when the pots are of a large size the crocks also must be 
larger. Both pots and crocks must be used in a thoroughly clean 
state. The most suitable time for repotting orchids is just as they 
are commencing to make new growth, and as they differ in their 
season of starting, they must be potted whenever in a proper con- 
dition, without reference to the season, with the exception that they 
should not be disturbed during January and the two following 
months. In transferring them from one pot to the other, injure 
the roots as little as possible, and remove as much of the old material 
as can be taken away readily, and keep the base of the plants just 
above the level of the rim of the pot. 
GeneraL Manacement.—The temperature of the cool house 
should range from 55° to 65° from the middle of March to the 
middle of September, and from 45° to 55° during the remaining 
months; and of the temperate house, from 65° to 75° from March 
to September, and 55° to 65° in the other months. The night 
temperatures throughout the year to be about five degrees lower 
than those during the day. Rather liberal supplies of water to the 
roots will be necessary for the health of the plants when they are 
in free growth, and the atmosphere must be well charged with 
humidity, and this may be done by pouring water upon the floor 
February. 
