48 ORCHID-GROWEK S MANUAL. 



great pleasure to them. By an arrangement of this kind the beauties of 

 such plants as Galanthe vestita, Limatodes rosea, the Pleiones and plants 

 like them which are destitute of leaves at the time of flowering may be 

 greatly enhanced, as the ferns and other plants can be made to hide the 

 deficiency ; and in summer the Orchids in flower will retain their full 

 beauty for a much longer time, if kept well shaded and cool. This 

 system of decoration is well carried out by Mr. 0. O. Wrigley, of Bury. 

 A long span-roofed house, which forms an entrance to the other houses, 

 is devoted to this pui-pose ; it has a central path, with a table on each 

 side, and the blooming Orchids being brought here and intermixed with 

 ferns, flowering and ornamental-leaved Begonias, PoinsetUas, HupJiorUas, 

 and many other plants, according to the season, the effect produced is 

 charming. 



GLAZING OF ORCHID HOUSES. 



IN the houses already referred to, the 21 oz. English glass is used, 

 being the best for the purpose because not easily broken. The 

 squares of glass in the roof are two feet six inches long by nine inches in 

 breadth ; those in the upright sashes at the sides are fourteen inches long 

 by nine inches wide. The laps are very close. We remember seeing an 

 Orchid house much injured after a hail-storm, a large portion of its 

 valuable contents being nearly spoiled ; in this instance the glass used 

 was only 16 oz., whereas, if it had been 21 oz., it would most likely 

 have withstood the storm. We therefore recommend 21 oz. glass, or even 

 a heavier kind, as not being likely to get broken by cleaning or otherwise. 

 Too large squares are bad, as they are apt to get broken by frost. The 

 upright glass at the sides ought to be of the size stated above, to 

 correspond with that in the roof and also in the ends and the door. 

 The sash bars should have a small groove down them to carry the 

 condensed moisture to the bottom, in order to prevent it from dripping 

 on to the plants. Or small pieces of zinc nailed to the bars serve to form 

 a sort of gutter to carry off this moisture, and thus prevent drip, which is 

 very injurious to the plants in cold weather ; even when the weather is 

 warm the foliage may be injured, and a deal of harm may be done by 

 drip. 



