The Nature of Orchids 



some reason there was assuredly in the local condi- 

 tions. I myself saw a report of Dr. Paterson's 

 system in the days of inexperience. It agreed with 

 my own observations in either hemisphere. Orchids 

 are quite comfortable in tropic glare— how absurd 

 to protect them against our feeble sunshine ! Forth- 

 with I discarded blinds in the stove and interme- 

 diate house. It was midsummer. In three days 

 the leaves showed a brown patch, which spread and 

 spread, though I lowered the blinds in haste. That 

 will certainly be the experience of ninety-nine per 

 cent, who follow the same course. The hrmdredth 

 escapes, owing to some peculiarity of circumstances. 



Those who denounce shading forget that the 

 Dendrobe on a tree-top has no glass above its head. 

 There lies the fatal difference. But there is another 

 point. Its roots do actually burn up, and its 

 pseudo-bulbs wither, in the hot season. But that 

 does not signify — in fact, it is a process necessary 

 for the health of the plant. For in the wild state 

 orchids rest in summer ; with us they grow, and rest 

 in winter. 



As a general rule, the amateur will do wisely to 

 disregard the reports of travellers. Even though 

 they be well acquainted with orchids in the natural 

 state, unless they understand the conditions to 

 which we must necessarily subject them, their 



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