THAP. XV VILLA aAEDENINCT 229 



of various ^izes may with advantage be mixed freely iu the com- 

 post ; and for stimulants dry horse-droppings, iu very moderate 

 proportions, may be used. In the case of this class of Orchids 

 the pots need not be quite filled, but the centre shoidd be raised 

 a little by forming the compost into a mound. The material 

 should not be rammed into the pots too firmly, as the roots need 

 air ; but as the material used is not very compressible, the pressure 

 of the finger must be brought to bear in order to fix the plants 

 securely, so that the roots can get a good grasp. Unhealthy plants 

 may often be brought back to health by planting them in baskets. 

 It often happens, either from having to use inferior peat, or some 

 other cause, that the compost becomes too close and sour, and the 

 roots perish. If all the dead roots are cut away and the plants 

 placed among rough fibry material in baskets, vigorous health will 

 come back quickly to them. Orchids doing well, or even ap- 

 parently so, require to have their roots examined occasionally ; and 

 we cannot with safety allow a specimen Orchid to go like a speci- 

 men Azalea, when it gets into a full-sized pot without repotting. 

 Most Orchids make a new annual root-growth. Many of the old 

 roots die, and repotting is necessary for the purpose of cutting 

 away dead roots, which, if left, might bring disease and decay 

 among the new roots just forming. 



Epiphytal Orchids dislike having their roots embedded in 

 soil ; most of them succeed best when fixed on a block and sus- 

 pended near the glass. In some cases it will be an advantage to 

 plunge the block in a pot filled with broken crocks, surfaced with 

 Sphagnum. Though this broken porous material may seem to 

 furnish nothing tangible for the roots to feed upon, yet a vapour is 

 continually arising from it, which is a great assistance to them. 

 Almost any hard wood will do for Orchid blocks. Teak is 

 commonly employed, but Pear, Apple, Crab, Birch, or any wood 

 that does not readily decay will do. Baskets are commonly made 

 of Teak, though sometimes wire ones are used ; but except in 

 the case of the Stanhopeas, which send their flower spikes down 

 through the soil, often projecting out through the bottom wood 

 is decidedly best. Baskets are specially suital)le for sm-face- 

 rooting Orchids, which of course most of the Epiphytal species are. 

 In the preparation of the materials for potting, great care must 

 be exercised, for to no class of plants is cleanliness more essential. 

 The Sphagnum should be chopped up to suit the plants and the 

 purpose for which it is required. The layer on the surface of the 

 pots or baskets should be chopped fine ; it will then grow, and 

 form a carpet of living green beneath the plants. Some growers 

 think this living gi'owth of Sphagnum adds to the well-doing of 



