SEASONS OF GROWTH AND REST. 65 



off. Yet some discretion must be used in exposing the 

 plants to direct hot sun, and at times an awning is neces- 

 sary. 



When the plants begin to grow, the temperature should 

 be greatly increased, and may be raised by the sun dur- 

 ing the summer to 90 or 100 without injury, but the 

 plants must be shaded from the direct rays of the sun. 

 In the Mexican house, however, the temperature should 

 never be allowed to go above 80 to 85. 



Great attention should be paid to the state of the at- 

 mosphere as regards moisture, as at all times of the 

 year this is of great importance to the successful growth 

 of the plants, for they derive the greater part of their 

 substance from the moisture of the air; so especially 

 whenever any of the plants are growing, the atmosphere 

 should be well supplied with moisture. To obtain this, 

 water should be poured over the tables, walls, and paths 

 of the houses ; the slate tables if made with a rim may 

 be filled with it, and evaporating pans may be placed on 

 the flues or pipes. The hot water tanks should also be 

 kept full, or a little water may be poured over the pipes 

 if there is a gentle fire. Thus a gentle steam will rise, 

 which is of great value while the plants are in a vigor- 

 ous state, of growth, especially as regards the East In- 

 dian Orchids, such as Saccolabiums, Aerides, Vandas, Phal- 

 cenopses, Dendrobiums, and many others requiring a high 

 temperature with a considerable degree of moisture. 



The Mexican Orchids, most of which come from a 

 cooler climate, not so saturated with moisture, of course 

 require less heat and moisture, but they should have a 

 much greater degree of warmth than when at rest. It 

 should be greater during the months of May, June, July, 

 5 



