THE ORCHID HOUSE. 53 



many advantages, the only objection being the obstruc- 

 tion of light. The pitch of the roof should be 30 to 33, 

 The glazing should be close, the larger the plates the 

 better, but they should not be above a foot in width. The 

 northerly end should always be of brick work as being 

 warmer and affording a convenient place for the growth 

 of climbing ferns and small Orchids. The southerly end 

 should be glazed with smaller glass than the roof, say 

 twelve to fifteen inches long by eight or twelve wide. 

 In a lean-to house the back wall should be of brick, as 

 being more durable, but wood may be used. 



A table about a foot wide should extend along the 

 front of the house. The pathway should be two or three 

 feet wide, along the side of the house, if a lean-to ; if a 

 span-roof, it may be through the centre, with broad tables 

 on each side, or, as we consider the best and most effec- 

 tive arrangement, a wide table may run all around the 

 house, and the walk may be all round a wide central 

 table. The side tables may be about three feet high ; the 

 centre should be a little lower if intended for large plants. 

 Arrangements should be made for a large tank in the 

 centre of the central table. 



In the Orchid house at Glen Ridge, the shelves are of 

 galvanized iron wire netting strained to angle irons and 

 supported by iron standards fixed in the cement of the 

 floor ; these shelves are over the hot-water pipes, and are 

 covered with sphagnum moss, on which the pots are 

 placed. The moss is kept moist and thus a gentle warm 

 moisture is always rising round the plants. Close to the 

 glass, shelves of heavy plate glass are fitted, which afford 

 an admirable place for small Orchids or small pots. The 

 central table is of gray stone brick with marble capping, 



