ORCHID HOUSES. 61 



we grow Orchids in a much cooler temperature, yet in the 

 case of the East Indian house there is still some truth in it. 

 The evil, fortunately, is one which can be readily remedied. 

 To that end a small house should be erected for, or a small 

 division at the end of each Orchid house assigned to Orchids 

 in bloom, or a portion of the conservatory should be enclosed, 

 as is recommended in the chapter on the treatment of Orchids 

 in bloom. Here, with some ferns and a few other orna- 

 mental-leaved plants as a background, the blooming Orchids 

 should be placed, and here they may be enjoyed to the full, 

 since the place may be kept quite cool, so that while the 

 most delicate constitution will receive no injury, the blossoms 

 ■will remain much longer in perfection. This system is 

 adopted by many cultivators of Orchids, and is a source of 

 great pleasure to them. By an arrangement of this kind the 

 beauties of such plants as Calanthe vestita, Limatodes rosea, 

 the Pleiones and plants like them which are destitute of leaves 

 at the time of flowering may be greatly enhanced, as the 

 ferns and other plants can be made to hide the deficiency ; 

 and in summer the Orchids in flower will retain their full 

 beauty for a much longer time, if kept well shaded and cool. 

 This system of decoration is well carried out by Mr. 0. 

 Wrigley, of Bury. A long span-roofed house, which forms an 

 entrance to the other houses, is devoted to this purpose ; it 

 has a central path, with a table on each side, and the bloom- 

 ing Orchids being brought here and intermixed with ferns, 

 flowering and ornamental-leaved Begonias, Poinsettias, Eu- 

 phorbias, and many other plants, according to the season, 

 the efiect produced is charming. 



