ORCHID HOUSES. 47 



plenty of room for the plants to show themselves to advantage, and they 

 have likewise roomy paths, which is a great convenience, for nothing is 

 more unpleasant than not being able to inspect the plants with ease and 

 comfort. The inside dimensions of these houses are forty-five feet long, 

 eleven feet high in the centre, and eighteen feet in width ; there is in 

 each a table six feet wide up the centre, and a path all round three feet 

 wide, with side tables three feet wide, formed of slate. The floor is 

 concreted, three inches thick, and then covei-ed with Portland cement 

 and sand, which forms a capital surface. The whole is heated by hot 

 water, distributed in four rows of four-inch pipes on each side in the 

 East Indian house, and three rows in the Brazilian house, and each having 

 valves to stop or turn on the water as required. On both sides of the 

 Orchid houses are upright sashes, as recommended above, glazed in the 

 manner as set forth in the chapter on Glazing ; there are three venti- 

 lators on each side in the brickwork, close to the hot-water pipes, and 

 one at the end over the doorway. There are four small top-sashes, two 

 on either side, which open with hinges, and are furnished with ropes 

 inside to draw them up and down ; these are found very desirable to let 

 but the over-heated air. These ventilators have been in use for several 

 years, and are found very useful ; for if cold wind blows from the one side 

 the other can be opened, so that the chilly air, which is very injurious, 

 does not reach the plants. 



Complaints have been frequently raised against Orchid houses, on 

 account of their excessive heat and moisture, which quite prevents the 

 enjoyment of the beautiful flowers grown in them. This objection has 

 now lost much of its force, because we grow Orchids in a much cooler 

 temperature, yet in the case of the East Indian house there is still some 

 truth in it. The evil, fortunately, is one which can be readily remedied. 

 To that end a small house should be erected for, or a small division at 

 the end of each Orchid house assigned to. Orchids in bloom, or a portion 

 of the conservatory should be enclosed, as is recommended in the chapter 

 on the Treatment of Orchids in Bloom. Here, with some ferns and a few 

 other ornamental-leaved plants as a background, the blooming Orchids 

 should be placed, and here they may be enjoyed to the full, since the 

 place may be kept quite cool, so that while the most delicate constitution 

 will receive no injury, the blossoms will remain much longer in perfection. 

 This system is adopted by many cultivators of Orchids, and is a source of 



