ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 61 



Soot water is an excellent thing to apply to the paths for evapora- 

 tion, but those living in large smoky towns would never dream of 

 applying soot, the air being already sufficiently charged with it. Lime 

 water can also be used, but I doubt if it would be beneficial in districts 

 where the water supply comes through chalk. Guano, in small 

 quantities, sprinkled on the floor occasionally, I never knew to do any 

 harm, and I have often thought that plants showed increased vigour 

 and strength when it was used in this way. I also use liquid farmyard 

 manure, by pouring the contents of a small watering can on the floor 

 occasionally, and of an evening when all is quiet. The evaporation 

 from such stimulants being desirable, not so much for inducing moisture 

 as for producing a manurial stimulant in the atmosphere. Cultivators 

 will also please to remember the plan I have already indicated (see page 

 o7) of providing a supply of new leaves, laid on slates or tiles raised a 

 few inches above the hot water pipes, to produce evaporation and assist 

 in maintaining an even moist temperature. I have at times poured 

 weak liquid manure into the troughs on the hot water pipes with good 

 results, the ammonia from it escaping gradually into the house. 



PROTECTION FKOM COLD DURING WINTER. 



Although we cannot do without fire heat, every successful culti- 

 vator tries to do with as little as possible ; of course, duly considering 

 what the requisite temperature should be and the health of his plants 

 require. In very cold weather, when it is necessary to drive the fire 

 hard, an impoverishing aridity in the atmosphere of the house is the 

 result, and even then the thermometer may still show a temperature 

 below the given point. It frequently happens that plants, especially 

 those near the roof or standing near the glass ends of the house, have, 

 in the morning, a heavy dew-like moisture on them, and this sometimes 

 remains on the plants the whole day. This is not a satisfactory state 

 of things for the plant, and is brought about by the condensation that 

 arises from the extreme cold air outside acting upon the glass with very 

 much warmer air inside. A simple and effectual remedy in such a case 

 is to apply some kind of protecting material in cold weather, such as 

 garden mats, canvas, or pieces of sailcloth, either of which would make 

 a difference of from five to ten degrees in the warmth of the house, 

 especially when the doors and further end of the house is protected. 

 Some persons leave the roller blinds in position for winter protection of 

 of the roof, but, as a rule, the canvas is too thin to be of much service 

 and soon wears out with the winter weather and storms. Whatever is 

 chosen for covering should be so arranged as to be convenient for use 

 and removal when not wanted. I have occasionally kept the roof so 

 covered, both night and day, in extremely cold or very windy weather, 

 for if the plants are receiving plenty of light at all other times, a 

 day's comparative darkness now and then does no harm. 



