MANURES FOR ORCHIDS 43 



throve well, and this shows that even with epiphytal Orchids 

 there is a field open for experiment ; but the operator must 

 not lose sight of the fact that he is "playing with edged 

 tools." We will now state what has been proved to be 

 beneficial when carefully carried out. Those who grow 

 batches of the showy Dendrobiums such as D. nobile, 

 D. Wardianum, D. Phalcenopsis, and others of the class, 

 and who, at the growing season, place them in a warm, 

 moist house, suspended from the roof for preference, 

 frequently give them weak doses of liquid manure during 

 the season of growth, and the plants make very fine 

 growth. 



The liquid from farm-yard manure, or from a stable, 

 should be avoided, as its strength cannot be known ; some- 

 times it is very weak, and at others fatally strong. A large 

 tub with liquid manure made of cow-dung, and in which a 

 coarse bag of soot has been sunk, is a safe manure for any 

 plant, and if properly diluted can do no harm to plants 

 requiring such a stimulant. 



Terrestrial Orchids such as Calanthes and Phaius can 

 scarcely be grown to their best without a liberal applica- 

 tion of this, or some other manure known to the operator 

 to be safe, during their season of growth. Cymbidiums, 

 Zygopetalums, Peristerias, and other strong-growing Orchids 

 have also been treated to weak liquid manure from the 

 commencement of growth until the flowers expanded, with 

 advantage so far as evidence is available. 



An occasional watering of liquid manure, or slight 

 sprinkling of guano, may be given beneath the staging 

 in the evenings during the growing season. 



The structure of the roots of Orchids does not favour 



