ON MAKING ORCHID BASKETS. 29 



ever, prefer generally those made of wood, on account of their rustic 

 appearance, and besides, the roots like to cling to the wood. 



We have found teak wood to be the best for making baskets, as it is 

 hard and durable. The best baskets are those of square shape, made of 

 proportionate even-sized rods without the bark, of which we give some 

 sketches on page 28. The wood should be cut into short lengths 

 according to the size of the basket required. They should not be too 

 large, for there are objections to this : one is, they take up much space, 

 and again the plants do not require much room, as a basket which is of 

 a larcre size admits of too much soil about their roots. After the wood is 

 cut into proper lengths, the pieces should be bored within one inch from 

 the ends, taking care to have all the holes bored at the same distance: there 

 should be four lengths of copper wire, one for each corner, and this wire 

 being fastened at the bottom, should be put through the hole in each 

 piece of wood, and be afterwards brought up to form the handle for 

 suspending the plants from the roof. Copper wire only should be used 

 in making baskets, for any other is probably injurious to the plants. 

 Cylinders, rafts, boats, &c., made of teak, as shown on page 28, are now 

 largely employed in Orchid culture. 



The best kinds of wood for blocks are teak, acacia, apple, willow, 

 pear, plum, maple, hazel, or cork. The wood should be cat into lengths 

 suitable for the size of the plants ; some copper nails should be driven in 

 at each end, to which should be" fastened copper wire to form the handle ; 

 wind the wire round each nail, and leave the handle about ten inches 

 high. Small copper nails, driven in on the surface of the block, serve, 

 by means of copper wire, to fasten the plants on to the blocks. There 

 are some imitation blocks made of pottery ware which are very neat, 

 and last a long time, but it is questionable if they are so congenial to the 

 plants as wood. The great advantage of growing Orchids on blocks or 

 in baskets, is that of being able to get the plants near the glass, where 

 they may reap the full benefits of sun and light. 



