12 SIZE OF THE BLOCKS WATEKIJNtf. 



texture, and, consequently will bear a gentle pressure. At the 

 same time place a thin layer of green moss on the log, and some 

 on each side of the plant. If it should happen that the root- 

 stock is soft and fleshy, a little moss should then be put under 

 the wire to prevent it from cutting the root- stock. The plant 

 will, when it begins to grow, put forth new roots, and even the 

 old living roots will send out branchlets of new roots. Some of 

 these will catch hold of the log and wrap round it. Then if the 

 root-stock swells, and the wire appears to strangle it, let the wire 

 be cut in pieces to prevent further mischief. Some delicate 

 species are better without any moss excepting a bit under the 

 wire. These species I shall give a list of in the group below. 



Size of the Blocks. When the plant is large it should be 

 placed upon a large block, but in order to lessen its weight it 

 may be split in two. Such large blocks should have a stronger 

 wire, which should be fastened to each end and suspended from 

 the centre. Small plants, on the contrary, should have small 

 logs, and the wire fastened to one end only, and a loop twisted 

 at the other end to suspend it by. 



I have been rather minute in describing the different operations 

 of potting, basketing, and blocking, which if carefully and 

 rightly performed at the proper season will leave the plants 

 ready for the next equally important operations of watering and 

 syringing operations that require particular and constant 

 attention during the whole period of growth. 



WATEKING. Plants in pots and baskets, when newly placed 

 in fresh compost and just beginning to grow, sending forth new 

 roots and shoots, should have very moderate supplies of water, 

 and that should be given round the edges of the pots or baskets, 

 so as not to wet the plant at all. I use for this purpose at that 

 season a small pot, with a long small spout without a rose. The 

 operator has with such a pot a greater power over the quantity 

 of water he ought to give to each plant. When the young shoots 

 have half formed their new pseudo-bulbs, and the days have 

 become longer and the sun more powerful, more water may be 



