ORCHID CONFERENCE. 



59 



thermometer. I therefore compiled the following scale for the 

 whole year : 



TABLE OF TEMPERATURES FOR ORCHID HOUSES. 



Degrees Fahrenheit. The higher day temperature to be attained by 

 Sun-heat when possible. 



This scale cannot, of course, be followed to the letter, neither 

 is it necessary that it should be ; it is intended rather to give a 

 basis on which to operate, to enforce a strict guard over the 

 regulation of the heating, and to the preserving of that lower 

 night temperature which is of such vital consequence to the 

 plants, and which should in all cases be insured by night ventila- 

 tion and by every other means at command. In summer the 

 prescribed temperature will often be exceeded, but it hardly 

 matters by how much if the extra rise is due to sun-heat, and 

 the houses in which the plants are are properly shaded and kept 

 moist. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS. 



And now the manner of the arrangement of the plants in the 

 houses demands attention, as I am bound to confess that in all 

 ages of Orchid culture, even down to this day, a great mortality 

 has always prevailed among small growing plants. This arises, 

 probably, in many cases, from excessive heat and too little air, 

 but in by far the greater number of cases by the lesser plants 

 being made to occupy the front portions of the graduated stages, 

 thus reversing the proper order of things, and placing the strong 



