154 obchid-groweb's manual. 



rest by moving tliem into a cooler house ; and during the 

 time they are in a cool house give them very little vfater, 

 only just enough to keep the stems from shrivelling. This is 

 the only way to make them grow strong and flower freely. 

 When they begin to grow they should be moved back into 

 heat, and treated as described above. They generally begin 

 to grow after their flowers have faded. 



The above remarks apply to the East Indian kinds ; there 

 are, however, many of the Australian species which succeed 

 admirably in a cool house ; but some few even fi-om that con- 

 tinent enjoy the East Indian treatment during the season of 

 growth. When this is complete, they should be gradually 

 inured to a cooler temperature, and supplied with less water, 

 until it is entirely withheld ; after this remove them to the 

 open air for a few weeks towards the end of summer, which 

 will thoroughly ripen their just matured stems. They should, 

 however, be returned to the cool house before any danger 

 from the external air is to be apprehended, and placed in a 

 gentle heat at the commencement of winter to start them into 

 flower if they are required to bloom during the dull months ; but 

 if not wanted before spring, keep them cool and dry all winter. 



They are propagated in different ways : some of them form 

 plants on the old stems, which should be cut off and potted ; 

 some are propagated by cutting the old stems from the plants 

 after they have done blooming ; others are increased by 

 dividing the plants according to the directions given in the 

 chapter devoted to remarks on Propagation. 



The genus Dcndrohium being a very large one, contains 

 many plants of but little interest to the general amateur, 

 though well deserving cultivation for botanical purposes. The 

 following are among the finest in cultivation, and by their 

 beauty or interest wiU amply reward the care of the cul- 

 tivator :— 



