2l6 



The Orchid- House. 



The accompanying plate represents a very neat and convenient contri- 

 vance for suspending tliese plants. It should be made of iron, galvanized ; 

 and is so arranged, that the plant may be turned round without removing it 

 from the rafter. 



A very pretty effect may be produced in an orchid-house by entirely dis-i 

 pensing with both shelves, staging, and tables, and fixing in the ground 

 large branching trunks of trees with the bark on. The orchids are fastened 

 to these, and nestle in the forks. Climbing-ferns and tropical plants are 



twined round the trunk, and terrestrial plants may be made to grow in the 

 hollows of the trunk ; and thus the interior of the house may resemble a 

 tropical forest. The plants succeed perfectly under this treatment, and the 

 effect produced is charming. 



This mode of culture, however, requires great care, as the plants are 

 thus more exposed to the attacks of insects, and, being fixed in position, 

 cannot at the resting season be removed to the cooler house. However 

 the plants are arranged, they should not be allowed to touch or rub each 

 other : there is nothing gained by crowding ; but both the health of the 



