66 



quantities u-ually devote a hous3 to them, where they are either 

 epiead out upon a slightly moist stage or hung from the roof, the air 

 being kept in a moist condition. The object is to induce the growths 

 to " plump up," as it is termed ; and wh^n this has been effected and 

 the roots are showing free^ they can be potted in the usual way. 

 When small numbers are being"established the best way is to place 

 the plants in pots of rough clean potsherds and charcoal. The neck of 

 the plant must be well elevated, and some j refer laying the plants 

 upon the surface until roots are formed. Mr. J. Douglas has in this 

 way succeeded admirably with some Orchids ordinarily considered 

 difficult to establish. Most of the non-pseudo- bulbous Orchids like 

 the Cypripediums may be potted as described, and all seem better 

 than when laid upon stages, as water can be supplied more freely. 

 The priiicipal point is to give sufficient moisture to induce root- 

 growth without causing any portion of the plant to decay, as it is 

 very liable to do after its long journey and the severe drying it has 

 had. 



STRUCTURES FOB ORCHIDS. 



The fanciful idea thtt peculiarly constructed and expensive houses 

 of various kinds were essential for Orchids having been dispelled, it 

 was so >n found that much less depended upon the form of the 

 structure than had been long imagined, and that if the requi-ite heat 

 could be provided the plants would succeed in houses of all kinds 

 and in all positions. The primary consideration is insuring the full 

 exposure of the plants to light with sufficient means at command to 

 break the force of the sun in the hottest weather. In our climate 

 this is most important, for it must be remembered that exotic Orchids, 

 even those needing the coolest treatment, came principally from 

 equatorial regions, where, though at great elevations, they are exposed 

 to a nearly vertical sun during a great portion of the year. The in- 

 fluence of light upon Orohids is astonishing ; it matures the f /liage 

 and growths or pseudo-bulbs and lays the foundation for successful 

 flowering another season, for with these, as most other plants, much 

 depends upon the ripening of the current year's growth. It is 

 advisable to employ houses with roofs that offer the least obstruction 

 to light, those having large heavy rafters or broad laps being avoided ; 

 and it is absolutely necessary that the glass be kept clean at all times. 

 Some advocate close glazing, relying upon the u-^e of the ventilators 

 for admitting the requisite amount of air, but in the cool houses for 

 Odontoglossums and Masdevallias a kind of permanent ventilation is 

 provided by leaving a space between the bottom pane of glass and the 

 eave of about one-eighth of an inch, the glass overlapping the wood 

 sufficiently to throw off the water ; and in very severe weather these 

 spaces can be stopped by pieces of wood. There is a large cool house 

 at Downside, Leatherhead, with a roof constructed in this way. and it 



