26 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



the plants. During the dull months of winter, when 

 the least amount of light is at command, it becomes 

 necessary to utilise it to the fullest extent. It is, there- 

 fore, good practice, after the shadings are removed, 

 during autumn thoroughly to wash the houses inside 

 and out. Previous to their re-arrangement, the plants 

 should be thoroughly cleaned, and their pots freed from 

 dirt \ in fact, everything about them should be made 

 perfectly clean, for no class of plants pay better for 

 cleanliness than do Orchids. Cleaning Orchids is 

 tedious work, which only those interested in their wel- 

 fare care to do. Those who have had some experience in 

 the sponging of less valuable plants, should alone be 

 trusted to clean the rarer and choicer varieties. It often 

 happens that the leaves of tender plants are split and 

 cracked by careless and inexperienced workers, the 

 damage in some cases being irreparable. It is also well 

 known that the Orchid grower has innumerable enemies 

 to contend with, both by day and night, and he must con- 

 stantly be on the alert to eradicate them. Cockroaches, 

 wood-lice, slugs, etc., should be diligently sought after 

 and destroyed, or a great deal of damage will soon be 

 done. If thrips or aphides of any kind make their 

 appearance in any of the houses, there is nothing that I 

 know of which is more effectual for their destruction 

 than the XL. ALL. vaporiser. A matter of considerable 

 importance, when the weather is suitable, in August or 

 September, is thoroughly to overhaul and put every- 

 thing connected with the heating apparatus in good 

 working order, so as to make sure, before winter sets 

 in, that the proper temperatures can be obtained when 

 required. 



Botanical Orchids 



Among the great Orchid genera there are many 

 species which are neglected, because the individual 



