SUMMER TREATMENT. 



69 



Plants in baskets should be taken down, when growing, every 

 other day, and dipped in the cistern ; and many plants on logs will 

 be benefited by a bath in water occasionally in addition to the 

 daily syringing. 



In dry, dusty, hot weather, a due supply of atmospheric 

 moisture should be attended to constantly. This may be attained 

 by wetting the floor and walls. In such weather the plants 

 will be greatly benefited by washing the leaves once a-week with 

 a wet sponge. This cleanses the surface and clears the pores of 

 the leaves, also keeps down various insects such as red spider, 

 scale, and thrips, and also gives a freshness and tidy appearance 

 to the plants. Nothing looks more untidy and careless than 

 seeing leaves covered with dust, green moss, or any other kind of 

 dirt. This sponging is beneficial at any time of the year ; only in 

 winter, or when the plants are at rest, squeeze the sponge very 

 hard before using, in order that no water may lodge in the hollows 

 of the leaves. When the plants are in bloom, then the syring- 

 ing must be dispensed with, as the flowers are easily spoiled by 

 the application of water over them. 



SUMMER TREATMENT. During this period these plants should 

 be encouraged by a liberal supply of moisture and heat, in order 

 to make their growths. Those on blocks of wood should be well 

 syringed on the evenings after a sunny day. In dull weather a 

 slight sprinkling in the morning only should be given. If 

 severely syringed in such weather, there is great danger of damp- 

 ing off the young shoots and leaves. On this point, therefore, 

 the amateur must exercise his best judgment ; for though, on the 

 one hand, Orchids require plenty of moisture when in a growing 

 state, yet if, as is often the case in our climate, there succeed 

 several days in succession that are of a rainy damp character, the 

 giving water then is not needed at least not in abundance. 

 Water at the roots of such as are grown in pots and baskets 

 should be regulated by a similar rule that is, water most freely 

 in hot dry weather, but more gently in dark dull weather. The 

 proper application of water is of the greatest consequence to these 



