SYRINGING. 13 



given, and it may be extended close up to the plant. As a 

 general rule, let the operator observe never to water an Orchid 

 till it requires it, and let the quantity given be in proportion to 

 the size of the plant and its state of growth. At the base of 

 each new pseudo-bulb there is a kind of sheath. This sheath 

 holds water ; and when that bulb is young this water, lodging 

 in the sheath in dark cloudy days, will have a tendency to rot 

 the young shoot. In such a case the sheaths had better be 

 carefully torn open to let the water escape. As the pseudo-bulbs 

 increase in size and maturity the sheaths decay, and may then 

 be removed entirely. When the pseudo-bulbs have reached this 

 stage the greatest quantity of water should be given. Many 

 of the Dendrobiums may be deluged with water daily; for 

 upon the free application of water at that state of growth 

 depends the full development of the growths. In their native 

 climates there is, as is well known, a rainy season that is, it 

 rains heavily almost every day for many weeks: therefore it 

 behoves the cultivator to give abundance of water, in order to 

 get his plants well grown when the growing season takes place 1 

 more especially if the summer should be hot and dry. When 

 the pseudo-bulbs have attained what the grower may judge their 

 full size, then gradually reduce the quantity of water till the 

 dark days of autumn arrive, and then no more should be given 

 than will prevent the shoots from shrivelling too much. Fre- 

 quently in winter once a-month a small supply of water will be 

 necessary. 



SYRINGING. The same precautions must be used in syringing 

 as I have described above for watering with the garden-pot. It 

 may be freely used during the summer morning and evening ; 

 but in spring and autumn the syringing should be done only in 

 the morning, when the sun is likely to break forth clear during 

 the day. To create a moisture in the air in the evenings of such 

 days syringe the pipes and paths only. In all cases be careful 

 not to syringe over the flowers, for the least drop of water will 

 injure their beauty. 



