Al!^J) CONSEEVATOET. 221 



the pots could be stood on saucers turned bottom upwards. 

 By arrangements of this kind a salutary humidity will be 

 maintained in the atmosphere, and the orchids will be far 

 more healthy and robust than if kept in a dry, woody, white- 

 washed house, such as the Mexican succulents would delight 

 in. Having made suitable provision for their comfort, the 

 rest is easy, provided always that you do not attempt to grow 

 stove orchids in greenhouse temperature, for in that you will 

 certainly fail. Great things have been done of late years in 

 the cool treatment of orchids, but there are certain kinds that 

 require a high temperature and an abundance of atmospheric 

 moisture, or they simply live without flowering, or, perhaps, 

 instead of living, dwindle away. The selection at the end of 

 this volume comprises all the best and safest for the amateur, 

 every one of which may be grown to perfection in a suitable 

 house by the adoption of the simple means we shall now de- 

 scribe. 



There are two sections of orchids — the epiphytal, which 

 grow on the branches of trees ; and the terrestrial, which 

 grow in soil. The epiphytal kinds can be grown fastened to 

 blocks of wood, and be suspended from the roof, or in pots or 

 baskets ; but the terrestrial kinds must be grown in pots, and 

 be potted in a compost consisting of turfy loam and peat in 

 equal proportions, with the addition of a little leaf mould and 

 silver sand. The epiphytes must have a compost much lighter 

 than the above, and nothing can surpass a mixture of fibry 

 peat, from which all the fine soil has been removed, and 

 sphagnum moss, well mixed together. It is not necessary to 

 be particular about proportions, because the whole of the 

 epiphytes suitable for the greenhouse will grow in either peat or 

 moss separately. Before using the latter, take the precaution 

 to destroy all insect life that may be lurking in it, by putting 

 it in boiling-hot water for a short time. Always efi"ectually 

 drain the pots ; one half, or even two thirds, of the pot should 

 be filled with broken potsherds. Place sufficient compost on 

 the crocks to fill the pot to within an inch or so of the rim, 

 and then spread out the roots on this, after carefully remov- 

 ing a large proportion of the old worn-out soil, and place a 

 layer of the new material over them. If necessary a few pegs 

 may be inserted to keep the soil in its place and the plants 

 steady. To put them on blocks, simply fasten a little moss to 

 the block with matting, and then spread out the roots over 



