The Orchid- House. 217 



plant and the general effect may be destroyed. It is better to grow a dozen 

 plants well than a hundred poorly ; and free light and air are essential to 

 the health of orchids. 



Heating. — There is nothing better for heating an orchid-house than 

 hot water. The heat thus obtained is more equal, moister, and less exposes 

 the plants to a change of temperature than either steam or hot air. In 

 these two latter methods, the pipes lose their heat as soou as the fire goes 

 out ; while, in the former, the heat is retained for several hours. A proper 

 regulation of the heat is one of the requisites for the successful cultivation 

 of orchids. 



During the winter season, the greater proportion of the plants are at rest : 

 it is not, therefore, necessary to maintain a high temperature. 



When the sun is in position to warm the houses, the heat should be 

 slackened in the pipes, but should be again turned on just before the sun 

 leaves the houses. 



It is well to begin to put fires in the orchid-houses about the middle of 

 September, for then the nights are cold ; but at this time, also, the supply 

 of moisture should be reduced. 



During the winter months, until the end of February, the heat should be 

 rather dry than moist, and never excessive. 



It is advantageous to have open water pipes or basins through which 

 hot-water pipes pass, which give out vapor which is beneficial to the plants. 

 The water in these pipes should be frequently renewed, as thus a pure, 

 clean atmospheric moisture is preserved. 



In heating with hot water, three rows of four-inch pipe should run round 

 the house, and two round each centre-table inside of the brick-work on 

 which the table rests, or the pipes may run through water-cisterns which 

 will always give a moist heat; and in cold weather, or the resting season, 

 the water can be drawn from the tanks, and a dry heat obtained. Small 

 ventilators, made to open and shut, should be inserted into the brick-work 

 of the tables on each side, so as to allow heat and moisture to pass into 

 the house when required. There should be means provided for going 

 under all the tables by means of little doors, in order to examine the pipes 

 if at any time they are out of order, 



VOL. IV. 28 



