The Orchid-house 



gardener may think a plant is soaking when in 

 fact its roots are dry. But then, again, if mischief 

 follow sometimes, there is a permanent advantage. 

 Insects hate the syringe. It is to be observed that 

 all professional growers with whom I am acquainted 

 use it freely. But they would rather not; they 

 advise everybody to abstain, for the practice can 

 only be justified by necessity. So I leave the 

 matter. Do not syringe if you can keep your 

 orchids clean and moist without it. 



Insects play the part of Nemesis in our schemes 

 of enjoyment. Every plague that haunts the green- 

 house attacks orchids, but if the gardener be quick 

 of eye and watchful, they are easily kept under in 

 the cool house, provided he have time and means 

 to battle with them; to grudge him either is im- 

 becility, though not unusual. It must be re- 

 membered, however, that Thrips of both species and 

 Ked Spider are native pests. Flourishing in the 

 garden outside, they cannot long be excluded from 

 the house, though Ked Spider, which dislikes damp, 

 will not take up its abode there unless, by bad 

 management, the atmosphere be kept far too dry. 

 There is an exception, however. It will attack 

 Disa grandiflora under all circumstances. But of 

 this I speak in another place. 



Insects are combated by smoking, steaming, 

 25 



