78 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [MARCH, 1903 
therefore all plants belonging to this family will cost about the same. 
They are very much surprised when you tell them they are mistaken, 
and that while some fine varieties have fetched large prices, many 
beautiful kinds can be bought for a few shillings. Some of these less 
costly plants will be as beautiful, and give as much pleasure, as the 
highest-priced gems. 
It is not necessary, in order to be an Orchid grower, that one should 
be a collector of curiosities, or aspire to have that which nobody else 
possesses. Orchids are generally connected in the public mind with 
-great heat, and are therefore believed to involve a large expenditure in 
fuel, but it will be our endeavour to show that Cool Orchids may be 
grown by any one with a limited means. We shall give a list of 
Orchids, and how to grow them, which will not only require a perfectly 
cool treatment, but are second to none in beauty and interest. 
The first thing necessary is a suitable house, and it will be well 
for our purpose to describe this. The Cool Orchid House is best, in 
my opinion, in the form of a span roof, as against the lean-to. This 
may run due north and south, and the width should be twelve feet, and 
as long as may be required to accommodate the number of plants 
proposed to be grown. The height should not be more than eleven feet 
in the centre, and the lights in front should be two feet high, and not 
made to open. Ventilation, for which there must be ample facilities, 
is best secured by shutters let into the brick wall; and working on 4 
centre pin, so that the current of air may be easily regulated. These 
ventilators should be near the ground, so that in cold frosty weather 
the air may be warmed by passing between the hot water pipes. The @ 
top ventilators should run alternately on both sides the house, its whole 
length, and be about two feet wide. Although this is a cool house, hot 
water pipes will be required for the exclusion of frost in severe weather, 
‘therefore have in your house four pipes, two flow and two return. With 
this quantity, kept no hotter than you can bear your hand upon, the 
required temperature may be kept up, without dryness in the atmos 
phere. It will also save fuel, and curtail the cost in labour to a great 
extent. 
The temperature of your house in winter should not fall below 45°, 
rise above 50° to 55°. It will be found more difficult to keep the plants 
cool enough in summer than warm enough in winter. Outside blinds will 
be indispensible. They should be of a substantial kind, yet of a make t0 
exclude as little light as possible. I know nothing to equal lath blinds, 
eae: SB dias he cost more in the first outlay, they will wear out those 
oe ah teeny should run on iron rods fixed to the roof, so 
east nine inches of space between the shading and 
