346 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (NOVEMBER, 1906. 
ORCHIDS FOR AMATEURS. 
Ir has several times been suggested that an Amateur’s page would be an 
acceptable feature of the Review, this being specially devoted to those who 
have only a small house, and attend to their plants for the most part them- 
selves. If some amateur of this kind who has gained sufficient experience 
could be induced to conduct such a page its success would probably be 
assured. But the most experienced were beginners once, and although the 
writer long ago passed the initiatory stage, he will endeavour to keep in 
view those early days in writing the following notes for beginners in 
Orchid culture. 
There is no need to dilate on their beauty and attractiveness, for these 
are already known, and there are few possessors of a glass house who have 
not at some time or other wished to try their hand at this fascinating 
family of plants, but have hesitated, perhaps, because of the supposed 
difficulties in their culture, or because they were thought to be very 
expensive plants to grow. The former point has sometimes been unduly 
magnified, especially when, as sometimes happens, a few Orchids have been 
introduced among ordinary greenhouse plants, and have not fulfilled 
expectations. The fact is the two require somewhat different treatment, 
and the conditions of the house can hardly be arranged to suit both at the 
same time. 
Nor is there in most cases any need to build a special Orchid house, if 
there is already some house that can be adapted to the purpose. Orchids 
may be grown successfully in a house of almost any shape, height, or 
aspect, if itis properly shaded and ventilated. Of course there must be 
some means of heating it when required, and these three essentials being 
secured the rest is easy. The secret of successful Orchid culture is the 
provision of a suitable atmosphere, and it has been maintained that an 
Orchid grower can tell when the conditions are suitable by its effect on 
himself on entering the house. This, however, is probably the result of 
experience, and the beginner will be well advised if he keeps a sharp eye 0? 
the thermometer, the shading, and the arrangements for keeping a suitably 
moist atmosphere. , 
One of the first points in converting an ordinary greenhouse into an 
Orchid house is to see that the ventilators, top and bottom, are arranged s0 
that an even temperature cam be secured. The top ventilators should be 
in the highest part of the roof, and the bottom as near the ground 4s 
possible, say within a foot from the floor. Side ventilators on a level with 
the stages are unsuitable for Orchids, and any such should be permanently 
fastened up, and replaced by ventilating traps near the ground, as 
recommended, Next attend to the shading. Movable blinds should be 
