294 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [OCTOBER, 1909. 
** BLINDS will be needed, which are either made of wood laths or 
canvas, but they should be raised from 6in. to gin. above the roof by means 
of an occasional parallel rafter, to ensure a circulation of air over the glass. 
If specimen Leelias and Cattleyas are wanted then a larger house will be 
required, with a central stage, but the method adopted is exactly identical 
with the smaller structures. 
“ THE INTERIOR.—Inside the house a rain-water tank should be dug, 
capable of holding sufficient for three or four months’ supply. For damping 
purposes tap or pump water can be used, thus saving the rain water for the 
Orchids. The stages should be 4 ft. wide, running both sides of the house, 
and formed of slate or other durable material, resting on iron supports, 
and covered with a layer of finely-broken coke or shell shingle to a depth of 
2in. Above this another stage is usually placed, made of unpainted battens, 
so as to raise the plants near the glass, and facilitate damping down; while 
they retain moisture for a longer period than when painted. In some 
collections, however, this second stage is dispensed with, and inverted 
flower pots are used instead. 
“* Regarding artificial heat, more piping should be allowed than is really 
necessary for a normal winter. It is far better to exceed the orthodox 
quantity, as it prevents that smell of fire heat so detrimental to plant life 
and the hard driving of the fires during frosty weather. Four inch pipes 
leading from the main are generally chosen, and six would be ample. 
‘*‘ Brick or tiled floors must be ignored, and what is known as coke — 
‘breeze’ flooring substituted, which can be forked over at intervals, and 
renewed whenever needed at asmall cost. Such a pathway, when sprinkled 
over, ensures that sweet, moist atmosphere in which all Orchids thrive. In 
some instances, wood lattices are laid over the floors, but they are apt to 
become slippery, and therefore dangerous; while the cost of renewing them 
is no small matter. Underneath the stages the bare earth is advised, 
wherein may be planted Begonias, Pilea muscosa, ferns, and a host of other 
subjects which will occur to the thoughtful cultivator.” 
With houses of the kind described, and the necessary range of tempera- 
ture, Orchid growing may be attempted with confidence. The three 
divisions mentioned may not always be represented, but for the purpose of 
these notes we will assume their existence. 
The Intermediate house is now gay with Cattleyas, Miltonias, Oncidiums, 
and a few others. The Cattleyas include C. Warscewiczii, C. Dowiana, 
and several of the slender-bulbed group, as C. Harrisoniana, velutina, 
Leopoldi, Forbesii, bicolor, and several hybrids, while Leliocattleya elegans 
and a number of artificial hybrids are flowering freely, also the pretty little : 
Lelia pumilaand L. Dayana. Oncidiums include O. incurvum, oblongatum, 
pretextum, varicosum and several species of the crispum group, while 
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