60 ORCHIDS. 



strong growth and fine flower. If the same heat is 

 always maintained and constant moisture afforded, the 

 plants will continue growing, or will produce weak second 

 growths and either fail to flower or else produce weak 

 and few blossoms. 



A most ready way to secure this rest is to remove the 

 East Indian Orchids to the cooler or Mexican house 

 during their resting season, that is, after they have per- 

 fected their growth, and again to remove the Mexican 

 Orchids to the greenhouse during their resting season. 



There are some East Indian Orchids, such as Phal&n- 

 opses, Aerides, and Vandas, which grow perpetually ; these 

 should always be kept in the hottest house, but the heat 

 should be somewhat reduced lest the plants be forced 

 into too active growth or bloom, as these plants often kill 

 themselves by over-flowering. 



The temperature thus must vary greatly at the different 

 seasons of the year and at different times in the course 

 of the twenty-four hours. 



In this matter of temperature, the importance of " live " 

 air cannot be too strongly impressed upon the Orchid- 

 ist. A close, dead air is fatal to the health of many 

 plants. Be the temperature what it may, the air should 

 have a freshness and vitality. We know Orchid houses 

 that resemble a vapor bath, and in this temperature some 

 plants thrive, but it is unendurable to human lungs, and 

 there is no satisfaction in visiting such a house. The 

 plants do not need it, many die in it, and all will thrive 

 better, make sturdier growth, and give more satisfaction, 

 in a lower and fresher temperature. 



In the Glen Ridge East Indian house, one can spend 

 hours in examining the plants without inconvenience 



