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moisture. The principal forms are shown in the accompanying cuts, 

 which represent some of those made by Mr. Sidney Williams, 21, 

 Farringdon Road. The ordinary square basket is formed with the 

 bars extended at the end, as in fig. 16, or with the ends flush, and it 

 is immaterial which is employed ; they are also made with four wires 

 for suspending them by, and with two, but the former is generally 

 preferred. Fig. 17 represents a boat basket, a convenient form for 

 some Orchids, and fig. 18 is a cylinder, employed in many establish- 

 ments for Phalsenopsis and similar kinds. Mr. Bonny, Hackney 

 Downs, also constructs very useful baskets in which the wires are 

 removeable, so that different lengths can be employed as desired, and 

 cane is used between the bars instead of lead. For blocks almost 

 any wood is suitable that is not so soft that it readily decays, or of so 



Fig. 16. 



Fig. 17. 



Fig. 18. 



hard and close a texture that the roots cannot obtain a hold upon it ; 

 but teak slabs are also frequently used as blocks, rafts formed of 

 parallel bars answering the same purpose. A soft freestone has been 

 used as blocks for epiphytal Orchids with good results, and porous 

 earthenware pots, filled with water inside and the plants secured to 

 the outer surface, have been found similarly suitable for many 

 species. The use of compressed sphagnum for this purpose has been 

 already noticed. 



Of miscellaneous utensils the most important, in addition to the 

 ordinary watering cans with fine and coarse roses, and syringe with 

 nozzle and rose, will be a little metal tank on wheels for dipping 

 baskets, blocks, &c., where the collection is large, as it can be 

 taken round the house and the work quickly performed. For a small 

 collection a pail will suffice. 



