74 ORCHIDS: HOW to GROW THEM succEssFtiLL. 



atmosphere are not over dry. Afterwards well wash the glass to 

 remove all dirt and to obtain all the light possible, also go over the 

 plants with a sponge to remove the soot, &c., that is deposited on the 

 leaves. Damp down once or twice a day. 



WARM HOUSE. Autumn Temperature. 



Now that more fire heat will be needed, see that the atmosphere 

 does not become too dry and arid, and damp down about twice 

 a day. I decidedly advocate sufficient rest for the plants, but some 

 cultivators do this to too great an extent. It should not be forgotten 

 that in their native habitats, should it not rain through the dry season, 

 there are refreshing dews at nights which serve to refresh vegetation. 

 Let any cleaning up also be attended to here, as in the other houses, 

 and ventilate with great care. 



DECEMBER. 



COOL HOUSE. Winter Temperature. 



During this month a good amount of fire heat will be wanted, but 

 avoid giving it in excess, tempering it as much as possible by damping 

 the house once or twice a day, as may be thought necessary, and 

 ventilating at top and bottom if the outside conditions admit of this 

 being done, especially on the leeward side, also raise the plants nearer 

 to the glass, and be very careful as to watering. 



INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. Winter Temperature. 

 See that no Orchid overhangs or shades another, studying which 

 place in the house is most suitable for each plant, and when such a 

 place is found, keep it there until the end of the winter or longer. 

 Damping once or twice a day, as may be found necessary, and keep 

 the temperature steady. Many plants in a growing state will still 

 make but little progress, but do not try to force them by giving extra 

 heat; rather be contented to keep in good health the plant as it is. 

 Pleiones may be re-panned or re-basketed and suspended from the roof 

 for a time, and kept moist. 



WARM HOUSE. Winter Temperature. 



If any ventilation is needed it must be carefully given, avoiding 

 extremes in temperature, and on no account try to force Orchids by a 

 superabundance of heat and moisture. In exceptionally severe weather 

 it is best to keep a covering on the roofs during the night, and 

 removing it if possible during the day. If Dendrobiums are par- 

 ticularly wanted in flower by the end of the month, a few of the 

 earliest blooming, such as Wardianum and nobile, may be brought 

 into more warmth, but it is best for the plants not to do so until the 

 beginning of February. Damp down about twice a day, and do not 

 allow plants in flower to become too dry at the root. 



