COOL ORCHID HOUSES. 2 1 J 



having been watered or damped down, it is a good plan in 

 practice to cover them with a thin layer of cannel coal, broken 

 up small and carefully washed. In addition to this, the 

 benches may also be made to hold water, which, during the 

 hot summer months, will be highly conducive to the health 

 and vigour of the plants. The space bordering on the path 

 beneath the side benches may be planted with Selaginella 

 hortensis, which will soon form a fresh green carpet and 



Cool Orchid House at Fernielmrst. 



materially aid in giving a neat and clean finish to the house ; 

 or a few Ferns may be planted, as shown in the illustration. 

 During the hot summer months the plants will require to be 

 carefully protected from the sun's rays, and blinds on rollers 

 should be provided for that purpose. In order to prevent 

 cold draughts from injuring the plants, it is a good plan to 

 cover the ventilators either with perforated sheets of zinc or 



