The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



are cases which appear to be exceptions at a glance. 

 Among Mexican epiphytes, for example, we have 

 Cattlcija citrina, which craves sunshine, and. yet its 

 pseudo-bulbs are comparatively soft. But observe 

 the integument, like thin white paper, which clothes 

 them ; that is another deA'ice to serve the same 

 purpose. Dendrobiums, I think, are all sunny ; 

 but those most exacting can be distinguished by 

 their greater hardness and polish. Some Odonto- 

 glots have pseudo-bulbs less soft than others, and 

 such, like 0. Bossii, should hang close to the glass ; 

 but none can be termed hard by comparison with 

 Cattleyas. Thus they tell us to keep them shady. 

 But 0. grandc, from Guatemala, and its relative, 0. 

 Insleayi, are exceptions to the rule — though their 

 pseudo-bulbs are rough and soft, they like the sun. 

 Nature does not refuse us a warning in this case, 

 however ; the leaves are broad, harsh and thick, 

 unlike those of any other species, and they protect 

 the bulbs. 



I am not to give architectural suggestions for 

 the orchid-house; it is principles which signify. 

 Nevertheless they are displayed most efiectually 

 by illustration, and therefore I will sketch a build- 

 ing which seems, to Mr. Godseff's mature experience, 

 the ideal form to accommodate all three classes. 



This is called a " hip-span " house. It rises on 

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