54 ORCHIDS. 



and contains three tanks, the water of which is kept at 

 different temperatures by hot water pipes. In these 

 tanks the blue and red water-lilies (Nympkcea ccerulea 

 and Devoniana) grow and bloom profusely. The ends 

 of the house are of coarse brick, wire netted ; the space 

 between the brick and the wire is filled with sphagnum in 

 which ferns, Pothos, ^Eschynanthus, Ctssus, and Vanilla 

 grow luxuriantly ; so the whole forms a wall of graceful 

 green. In the whole house there is nothing that can de- 

 cay from moisture : all is brick, iron, glass, or cement. 



Ventilation should be afforded by openings in the front 

 wall and sliding sashes in the roof ; but care should al- 

 ways be taken to allow the air to pass over a heated sur- 

 face before coming in contact with the plants. If we do 

 not wish to paint or wash the glass, it will be necessary to 

 provide a canvas awning so arranged as to be spread 

 and removed at pleasure. It is also well in our more 

 northern States to have wooden shutters fitted to the out- 

 side of the roof for the protection of the plants in cold 

 winter nights. 



A potting room should be provided connected with the 

 house and heated in order that the plants when removed 

 to it may not be chilled. 



A larger house may be built on the same plan, only 

 taking care not to increase the height. Orchids never do 

 well in a high house. The interior arrangements may 

 vary considerably according to the taste or fancy of the 

 owner. 



The material used for greenhouses is usually wood, 

 but where it can conveniently be obtained, iron is far bet- 

 ter. A house made of brick, iron, and glass would last an 

 indefinite time and beyond an occasional coat of paint 



