58 ORCHIDS: HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



long is connected, the entire length of the house can soon be damped 

 down and this is so often needed in hot, dry weather thoroughly 

 watering every available space about the floor and stages, without 

 watering the plants over head. If a syringe has to be used for this 

 purpose, much longer time is required. 



THE INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. 



Such a house running from east to west, the sides having one a 

 northern, the other a southern aspect, would enable an amateur to grow 

 a still greater variety of Orchids successfully those requiring a great 

 amount of light being placed on the south side, and those loving shade 

 on the northern side. This house is identical in structure with the Cool 

 house, with this exception, that it is convenient to have the house 

 higher, as some of the Intermediate-house Orchids have a taller habit of 

 growth and require more head room ; and the side ventilation, except 

 that opposite the pipes, may also be dispensed with. The centre stage 

 need not be quite so high as in the Cool house, and can have wider top 

 space to accommodate tall growing specimens. The same arrangement 

 will be required for the leaves over the hot- water pipes as is advised for 

 the cooler house. 



THE WARM, OR EAST INDIA HOUSE 



should have the same aspect as the preceding structure, so that full 

 advantage may be taken of the light and shade afforded, and which is 

 so necessary to the occupants of this house. The roof should be high, 

 and somewhat natter, but well supported, in order that the interior may 

 be utilised to its full extent for suspending plants, many of the Warm- 

 house Orchids thriving much better when near the glass. The centre 

 stage (F.) should be rather lower than figured, the soft water tank 

 running the full length of the stage; and it is a good plan to run a one- 

 inch pipe right through the water in the cistern, and connected with 

 the other pipes, so that the water for the supply of the plants may be 

 warmed to about ten degrees above the temperature of the house, as it 

 then gives off a moisture most beneficial to the plants when in a growing 

 state, but during the growing season only. Care must be taken not to 

 have the one-inch pipe too hot, or steam will be generated to such an 

 extent as to injure the young growth of the plants, causing spot or rot. 

 Should no tank exist, it then becomes necessary to have a supply of 

 water in the house for watering purposes, either in cans, pails, or other 

 utensils, which should be placed in the house sufficiently long to be 

 warmed as nearly as possible to the temperature of the house. 



As this structure is high, necessitating perhaps more side glass, it is 

 advisable to have roller blinds fixed on the south side of the house as 

 well as on the roof, although a permanent shading of whiting, mixed 



