THE ORCHID REVIEW. 171 
syringed overhead daily during the growing season. No doubt whatever 
that his method of treatment suited his own plants, for they were with but 
few exceptions in exceptionally robust and rude health. His ideas are right; 
they cannot be questioned. But I may point out one fact of some little 
importance when one talks about treating his Orchids without exception to 
species, or genus, to the full glaring rays of a powerful summer’s sun 
through the glass. It is this ; on looking round I noticed that there were a 
good many tall trees in the immediate vicinity, and his Orchid houses 
stood well beneath their shadows, therefore it was not surprising that no 
shading was employed. None was necessary evidently, and if used under 
the circumstances would certainly do more harm than good. We all know, 
when a house is partially shaded by a neighbouring tree, how cool and 
delightfully refreshing the temperature therein seems on an oppressively hot 
summer’s day. And that, if one half of the structure is so shaded, the 
other half may be fully exposed to the sun, but no burning or scorching of 
the foliage will accrue because the one condition counterbalances the other 
to a nicety; and this, together with the air and moisture distributed, 
ensures healthy and invigorating conditions as the natural result. However, 
I must still continue to advise the shading of Orchids by some material or 
other when in exposed positions; but I advise also that such shading 
should be removed as early in the afternoon as the circumstances may 
admit, so that the plants may enjoy the syringe, the sun, and the air at one 
and the same time, for longer or shorter periods during the afternoon or 
evening, before the top air is taken off for the night. From this system 
of treatment weakly plants will derive much benefit, whilst strong specimens 
will become stronger still. My friend also keeps his plants in a continually 
wet condition at the roots. The majority of his plants seem to revel in it, 
but it must not be concluded therefrom that it is the correct thing to do. In 
such cases it often becomes a matter of the survival of the fittest. Yet 
when one sees a sight like this, where almost every plant, whether it be a 
Dendrobe, a Vanda, a Cypripedium, an Odontoglossum, an Oncidium, or 
any other species, growing vigorously and seemingly to be perfectly happy, 
treated as if it were half aquatic, it sets him thinking, and he begins to 
wonder whether Orchids are not sometimes too carefully treated in the way 
of water, and consequently somewhat starved—during their time of growth 
especially. 
A casual visitor must not, however, jump at conclusions, and be induced 
to alter his own methods of culture too completely in one item, without 
going into the matter as fully as he possibly can, and inquiring into the 
why and wherefore. For instance, I have pointed out that my friend’s 
houses are never shaded, although doubtless they do receive a considerable 
amount of bright sunshine. He then gives air abundantly to prevent 
