THE ORCHID REVIEW. : 115 
Most vital points in its cultivation. It is, however, often one of the first 
included in a newly-formed collection, on the grounds that it is a cool- 
growing species. I will now describe what I have found to be the most 
successful treatment. It may or may not quite tally with the methods of 
some experienced growers, but on the whole I think it will be found pretty 
correct, and I can conscientiously recommend its adoption by those who 
wish to succeed. 
THE Hovuse.—I greatly prefer a little, low-built, span-roofed house, 
running north to south, either wide enough to admit a centre, step-like 
Stage, in addition to the side stages, or with the latter only.’ It does not 
much matter which, though for preference I should select one with the 
centre stage. Such a span-roofed house, however, is not absolutely 
necessary, for they may be grown in any other shaped house, and it may be 
in almost any position from due south to north—the management, of 
course, varying accordingly. But, whatever the structure selected, the 
means of ventilation both at top and bottom must be ample, and the stages 
must be so arranged as not to be too far away from the roof glass. The 
furthest point should not be more than 4 feet, and the nearest point not less 
than 1 foot from the glass. I great prefer stages of an open nature, that is 
to say, formed of slats of wood, with a space of one or two inches left 
between each slat, so that the air can circulate freely up between the 
plants. This question of open stages I consider of great importance, if 
really good results are to be obtained. The air plays a most vital part with 
these essentially air-loving plants, and the freest circulation which the 
outside conditions permit is at all times of the utmost importance. It has 
sometimes been thought that the principal point necessarily lay in the 
keeping of the house and the plants in a particularly wet and humid con- 
dition, because of the rains and the exceptionally heavy dews of its native 
habitat. This explains the origin of closed stages—covered with moisture- 
retaining material and kept constantly saturated—on which the plants were 
Stood. The idea, however, has proved to be wrong and misleading. I do 
not advise anyone who may be growing fairly good plants under such con- 
ditions to suddenly change his methods for mine, still I am ence convinced 
that the idea of closed stages is wrong in principle. It is right, of = 
to introduce, especially in summer, the large supplies of moisture — 
they in nature so much enjoy, but we must also allow the air to play its 
©ounteracting part in our houses, just as it does in their native = Z 
me, and it is quite unable to accomplish this when the plants are p ei 
on air proof stages in pots. The air should circulate around and benea 
mas well as above, and in order to grow hardy, healthy plants, 
Strongly recommend open woodwork stages. 
SUMMER TREATMENT.—The treatment during the summer months is 
