8 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



and style, can be seen instances suggesting the evolu- 

 tionary process ; these would be more common but for 

 the number of connecting links which have dropped out 

 in the great struggle for existence. 



CHAPTER III 

 DIFFICULTIES TO OVERCOME 



SOME of the difficulties which the cultivator of Orchids has 

 to contend against arise from the fact that his houses have 

 to accommodate plants which have been brought from widely 

 separated countries, or from different altitudes in the same 

 region. They therefore require very different cultural con- 

 ditions, especially in the matter of temperature. 



Consideration of the climatic conditions under which 

 the plants are found growing in their native habitats is very 

 helpful to all engaged in Orchid culture. Many problems 

 have already been worked out by the experience of culti- 

 vators, but some of the conclusions have been arrived at 

 only after costly failures. In the early days of Orchid 

 culture, before the advent of the modern Orchid house 

 with its improved methods of ventilation and means for the 

 promotion of humidity, the great mortality among culti- 

 vated Orchids was caused by excessive heat and drought. 

 Even at the present day more mischief is done by excessive 

 heat than by cold treatment. 



