THE ORCHID REVIEW. 267 
as well as a constant change, throughout the year; even during the winter 
there is no blank period, for if there is little growth then there is always 
something coming into flower. Their modes of growth are almost as 
various as the structure of their flowers. No wonder they have become 
popular, for they have just the qualities required by those in search of a 
really interesting hobby, and who have the means and leisure to give them 
the necessary attention. 
In speaking of Orchid giowing as a hobby it is well to have some par- 
ticular object in view, and as the collection above named is a fairly typical 
one, and I am pretty well acquainted with its history, it will serve to illus- 
trate my remarks. The owner has a good general garden, and some years 
ago he decided to add a few Orchids to his collection, but he soon found 
that the arrangements of an ordinary plant-house are not altogether adapted 
to their cultivation. Profiting by the experience of others, he decided not 
to alter any existing structure—often a difficult matter, and not always 
successful when completed—but to build a small range of those neat little 
houses which were being adopted by some of the most successful growers, 
and thus commence, at all events, under the most favourable conditions. 
It was a wise resolve, and has been justified by results. A good start is half 
the battle in Orchid growing, as in most other things. 
The houses are low, span-roofed, and run north and south, with 
sufficient piping to maintain the required temperature without having to 
drive the fires hard. The ventilation is well arranged, the top ventilators 
at the highest point of the house, and the side ventilators at the base of the 
house—neat traps opening near the hot water pipes, so that the incoming 
air is warmed before reaching the plants. These are far better than 
swinging sashes opening opposite to the side stages on which the plants are 
placed, because ventilation can be carried on at almost all seasons, and this 
is an important matter for the health of the plants. There are divisions for 
the usual classes of Orchids, as Cool, Intermediate, East Indian, and Mexican, 
the warmest ones being nearest to the boilers, The staging is double, and 
stands on iron pillars, the lower being solid and containing shingle or other 
moisture-retaining materials, and the upper open lattice work, on which the 
plants are placed, so that there is a free circulation of air about them. 
There are also open tanks for the storage of rain water at convenient places 
beneath the stages. The shading is well arranged, varying in thickness 
according to the requirements of the plants beneath, and running on rollers 
at the top of the house. There is a great difference among Orchids in this 
respect, some requiring all the light possible, short of unbroken sunlight, 
while others require rather ample shading. Many soft-leaved, terrestrial 
Orchids, for example, are very quickly injured by bright sunlight. 
As to the potting and arrangement of the plants, a description would 
