236 REMARKS. 
plants, for it is absolutely necessary to health that the process of 
transpiration should proceed freely under all ‘circumstances, In a 
confined atmosphere like that in which Orchids grow, it might be 
found beneficial to the health of the plants if. a small quantity of am- 
monia or carbonic acid were set free in the air, or dissolved in the 
water used in syringing the plants, both these substances being very 
soluble. The latter might be applied to the air, by placing large 
pieces of fresh chalk or limestone on the shelves, and pouring sul- 
phuric acid, diluted, over them: shallow pans, ,filled with oats, or 
barley beginning to vegetate, are also beneficial to plants confined in a 
warm damp atmosphere. With respect to those kinds which require 
to be grown upon wood or in baskets, less danger is likely to accrue 
froma slight excess of moisture, when they are in a growing state, than 
from a want of it; therefore sphagnum or rough fibry peat should be 
fastened round the blocks, or placed about the roots in the centre of the 
baskets, in order to retain sufficient moisture when the atmosphere 
becomes too dry. The blocks on which the plants are grown should 
be those kinds like the apple or pear, with a smooth surface, and in a 
fresh state when the plants are fastened upon them. The fastenings 
should be effected by copper wire and nails; old dry blocks, with 
rough bark, or charred ones, are bad, on account of their easily be- 
coming too dry, particularly the charred ones, whose black surface 
absorbs heat, which is injurious to the young roots, especially in summer. 
Blocks or baskets are perhaps, in the majority of cases, best for true 
Epiphytal Orchids, but on these they require more attention, in regard 
to moisture, than when grown in pots. In the case of Stanhopeas, 
however, it is absolutely requisite to grow them upon blocks, as their 
flowers grow downwards, Again, with Aerides, and all true air plants 
having thick, fleshy, aerial roots, it is necessary to place them upon 
blocks or in baskets, and to suspend them from the roof, so that their 
roots may grow freely in the damp atmosphere, for if confined under 
the soil they soon perish. Fibry peat, moss, or sphagnum, when used 
for the purpose of covering the roots, is of no other use than that of 
retaining moisture. Moss or sphagnum of all kinds is bad, if not fully 
exposed to the atmosphere, and soon becomes mouldy ; it should only 
be used on blocks, or on the outsides of the baskets. In suspending 
the blocks, always place them perpendicularly, and the baskets quite 
horizontally ; and invariably have them taken down and examined 
every third day in summer, and once a week in winter, to see if tuey 
want watering. This must be done independently of syringing, for 
some parts of the blocks may be found to be quite moist enough, while 
other parts are dry.—Mr. Gordon’s Paper in the Journal of the 
Hort. Society. 
CHEAP FLOWER GARDENING.—Those who do not possess a suf- 
ficient extent of glass frames for the propagation of Verbenas, Cal- 
ceolarias, and other half-hardy bedding plants, may make a splendid 
display by filling some of the beds with masses of the more durable 
annuals sown in the places in which they are to remain. It is not to 
be expected that the duration of these will be equal to the plants for 
which they are substitutes, but with a proper exercise of taste in 
arranging them, the result will be much more satisfactory than many 
