MANURES FOR ORCHIDS — 43 
throve well, and this shows that even with epiphytal Orchids 
there is a field open for experiment ; but the operator must 
not lose sight of the fact that he is “playing with edged 
tools.’”’” We will now state what has been proved to be 
beneficial when carefully carried out. Those who grow 
batches of the showy Dendrobiums such as D. nobile, 
D. Wardianum, D. Phalaenopsis, and others of the class, 
and who, at the growing season, place them in a warm, 
moist house, suspended from the roof for preference, 
frequently give them weak doses of liquid manure during 
the season of growth, and the plants make very fine 
growth. 
The liquid from farm-yard manure, or from a stable, 
should be avoided, as its strength cannot be known ; some- 
times it is very weak, and at others fatally strong. A large 
tub with liquid manure made of cow-dung, and in which a 
coarse bag of soot has been sunk, is a safe manure for any 
plant, and if properly diluted can do no harm to plants 
requiring such a stimulant. 
Terrestrial Orchids such as Calanthes and Phaius can 
scarcely be grown to their best without a liberal applica- 
tion of this, or some other manure known to the operator 
to be safe, during their season of growth. Cymbidiums, 
Zygopetalums, Peristerias, and other strong-growing Orchids 
have also been treated to weak liquid manure from the 
commencement of growth until the flowers expanded, with 
advantage so far as evidence is available. 
An occasional watering of liquid manure, or slight 
sprinkling of guano, may be given beneath the staging 
in the evenings during the growing season. 
The structure of the roots of Orchids does not favour 
