6 ORCHIDS : H(W TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



against the dwelling-house or a garden wall, having an east or west 

 aspect, and where Orchids, requiring the treatment of an Intermediate 

 house, can be grown, as also many of the Stove (Warm-house) Orchids. 

 If such a lean-to house has either a north, north-east, or north-west 

 aspect, Cool Orchids will flourish ; but it is not possible to grow Cool- 

 house Orchids in a lean-to house facing the south, unless it be shaded 

 from the sun by tall trees, but such an aspect would exactly suit either 

 Intermediate or Warm Orchids. Should the house be a span-roofed one, 

 as in Fig. 2, and standing in an open situation, then it could be made 



FIG. 2. SPAN-ROOFED HOUSE. 



suitable for all species of Orchids, either Cool, Intermediate, or Warm- 

 house, as well as those loving sunshine or thriving best in the shade. 

 In such a house the atmosphere, temperature, and other conditions 

 could be regulated as desired, by the aid of shading, ventilation, &c. 

 If, on the other hand, this house should be naturally shaded by the 

 growth of trees or tall buildings, it would be most suitable for Orchids 

 loving shade, or partial shade, and require the use of roller blinds 

 only when the sun acts directly upon the house. Having decided as 

 to what plants the houses are best adapted, the next point will be how 

 to buy the plants ; and although this may, at first sight, appear to be 

 an easy matter, it is nevertheless an important one, as success or 

 disappointment depends very much upon the health and strength of the 

 plant when purchased. Amateurs, therefore, should be very cautious 

 in making their purchases, especially at first, for they are too often 

 at the mercy of those who sell some of whom are not over scrupulous 

 in what they sell to beginners so that those about to purchase will 

 act wisely in consulting some experienced cultivator of Orchids, or, 

 at all events, some person who understands them, and really knows 



