11.2 Culture of Epiphytal Orchidecs. 



for a fortnight ; reducing it to 60° by night, and communicating 

 a little moisture by steaming. After this period has elapsed, 

 let us increase the heat in our house, in the daytime, till the 

 thermometer reaches 85°, being reduced, as before, to 60° at 

 night; and the strong and firm-looking pseudo-bulbs may be 

 well syringed three or four times a day, and well steamed the 

 first thing every morning. This treatment 1 should continue 

 till the plants began to break and root ; when, if the weather 

 was at all favourable, I would draw down two or three of the 

 lights, and admit the fresh air for a few hours every day. 



When the plants have made a good growth, and as they 

 become what we may call established, let us remove them 

 into our second house, in which the thermometer must be kept 

 at from 80° to 85° by day, at night reduced to 60° or 55°, and 

 allow them no moisture, except a good steaming once every 

 morning. Let us continue this check upon them for two or 

 three months, and then again remove them to our moist house, 

 in which we must not allow the temperature, by day, to be lower 

 than from 85° to 90°; nor higher, at night, than 60° ; and must 

 syringe them well and copiously seven oi* eight times, at least, 

 in the day ; at the same time allowing the entrance of a little 

 fresh air, if it can be accomplished without decreasing too much 

 the heat of the house. 



With this treatment, I am much mistaken if we shall not find 

 the Orchideae, now so apparently shy of flowering, throwing out 

 vigorous shoots and fine masses of flowers, which will amply 

 repay the trouble taken with them ; for, perhaps, it would be 

 difficult to point out any tribe of plants, in their own country, 

 which flowers more abundantly and universally than epiphytal 

 Orchideae. 



Should I receive from you an intimation that such a com- 

 munication would prove agreeable to your readers, I will en- 

 deavour, at a future period, to send you a brief account of the 

 mode of travelling in Demerara, and an account of the habits 

 and nature of the aboriginal Indians, and their character in com- 

 parison with that of the negroes of the British colonies. 



Clapton Nursery, Jan. 3. 1835. 



For the above most interesting and valuable account we are 

 exceedingly obliged to Mr. Henchman. It cannot fail to be of 

 the greatest use to cultivators of this most interesting family of 

 plants. We need hardly say that we, and, we are sure, all our 

 readers, will be much gratified by any farther communications 

 from him on the mode of travelling in Demerara, or on any 

 other point connected with the subject of this article. — Co?id. 



