PROPAGATION. 27 



baskets with a host of wet material about them, which is 

 unnatural. My practice is to give but little water at the 

 roots during winter, and not so much as many people in 

 summer, because I have seen the ill effects of it. The treat- 

 ment I recommended some years ago I still follow, and with 

 uniform success. 



Some Orchid growers give more heat and moisture than I 

 recommend, and the plants have done well for a time \ but 

 under such exciting management they are apt to become 

 spotted, and get into a permanently bad state of health ; in 

 short, the least chill, after so high a temperature, is liable to 

 induce disease. The great secret in the cultivation of these, 

 as well as all other plants, is a proper house, sufficient ven- 

 tilation, heat and moisture, and good glass, without drip. 

 Let the temperature throughout the whole year be in ac- 

 cordance with directions laid down in this book, which is the 

 result of long experience and close observation. 



Propagation. 



There are different modes of propagating the various kinds 

 of Orchids ; some are easily increased by dividing them into 

 pieces, or by cutting the old pseudo-bulbs from the plants 

 after the latter have done blooming : such plants as Dendro- 

 biums are increased in this way. The best time for dividing 

 the plants is just as they begin to grow, or when they are at 

 rest ; they should be cut through with a sharp knife between 

 the pseudo-bulbs, being careful not to harm the roots : each 

 piece should have some roots attached to it. After they are 

 cut through they should be parted, potted, and put into 

 some shady part of the house, without receiving much water 

 at the roots till they have begun to grow and make fresh 

 ones, then they may have a good supply. Dendrobium nobile, 

 Pierardi, pulchellum, macrophyllum, Devonianum, and similar 

 growing sorts, are easily propagated. This is effected by 

 bending the old pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in 



