The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



sphere. No reasoning mortal has ever urged that 

 cool species will flourish, or even exist, without 

 protection from the sun. And Odontoglots rest so 

 lightly that too many amateurs scarcely let them 

 rest at all. Even under those circumstances they 

 live and flower, but they do not increase in size 

 from year to year as they should. And such 

 misguided amateurs, as I observe, are apt to treat 

 their Oncidiums in the same way, which is dis- 

 astrous. Oncidiums take a decided rest if they be 

 allowed ; and if they be not allowed they dwindle 

 and perish in two or three years. However, these 

 practical matters are dealt with elsewhere. 



The use of manure for orchids is an interesting 

 question, debated from time to time with small 

 result. That they love the fumes or gases of 

 ammonia is indisputable, but I refer to the applica- 

 tion of manure in solid or liquid form. It is 

 understood that some growers, who take no part in 

 the discussion, improve the look of their plants 

 wonderfully by this means — at the expense of their 

 vitality say others. Opponents of the system ask 

 how things which live upon a naked bough, high up 

 in air, could make acquaintance with the unsavoury 

 compounds recommended ? I do not advocate 

 manure, for the one thing certain is that it must be 

 used with great discretion, or disaster will be the 



12 



