268 Orchid Culture. 



should be withheld gradually until autumn, and then no more given than 

 will keep them from shrivelling ; and during the w^inter months but a 

 very small supply will be necessarry. 



Syringing. — The same precaution as described for watering must 

 be used. In summer the syringe may be used both morning and even- 

 ing, but in autumn only in the morning; and to create a nice, moist 

 atmosphere in the evening of such days, the paths and pipes only should 

 be syringed. In syringing, care must be taken not to wet the flowers, 

 as water will injure their beauty very much. 



Soils. — The necessary soils are fibry loam, peat, sphagnum moss, 

 leaf mould, charcoal, silver sand, and cow-dung, and for drainage a 

 good supply of potsherds, broken up into two or three sizes. 



Fibry loam can be best obtained from an old pasture ; the surface, 

 being taken off" from two to three inches thick, is the very best for 

 this purpose. It will only require to be cut in small pieces and used in 

 that state. 



Peat. — The best I have ever had is from Mr. George Such, the 

 successful orchid grower of South Amboy, New Jersey, but I am told 

 it can be got nearer here ; but I doubt if it can be obtained any cheaper, 

 his price being only two dollars per barrel. This also must be chopped 

 in pieces and pulled apart with the hand ; after that it should be passed 

 through a fine sieve, and what remains in the sieve is what is required 

 for orchids. The fine which passes through may be used for aza- 

 leas, etc. 



Sphagnum Moss is found very abundantly in boggy marshes. It 

 must be collected in dry weather, and stored in a dry shed until wanted. 

 This must be chopped up with a fine, sharp hatchet, passed through a 

 fine sieve to take out the dust, and then it is fit for use. 



Leaf-mould., as is well known, is made of leaves that fall in autumn. 

 For orchids it is best not to be too much decayed. For terrestrial 

 species, such as Bletias, Cypripediums, etc., this forms a large part of 

 the compost. 



Charcoal is very useful to mix with the loam, peat, and moss, also to 

 use on the top of the crocks for drainage. Break it in pieces the size 

 of a walnut, and use it as required. 



Cow-dung. — This should be collected from the pasture in a partially 

 dry state, laid out on a floor until fully dry, and stored away in boxes 

 or barrels until required for use. 



Drainage. — A good supply of broken garden-pots is the requisite in 

 this case. When they are broken, sort them into three sizes, using the 

 largest in the bottom of the pot, the second size next, and the third 



