UNCLE ANLINESS AND DISEASE 25 



inmates the warmth of the water should be reduced 

 several degrees. If the water in the cool house tank 

 has been there for any length of time, it will be found 

 to be quite warm enough without being heated by 

 means of pipes during summer, but during winter it is 

 often found necessary to add a little water to it from 

 the East Indian house, just sufficient to take the chill 

 off, and it should equal the night temperature of the 

 house. To avoid wasting rain water, hard water should 

 be used for damping the paths and stages. 



Beginners in Orchid culture generally find the water- 

 ing of their plants quite a puzzling operation. They 

 do not begrudge either water, time, or trouble, but 

 after the work is done they are in their own minds far 

 from certain as to whether they have done right or 

 wrong. This, although not pleasant, is a very proper 

 feeling, which time and experience gradually wears away. 

 To such persons two excellent rules may be applied : 

 through the summer keep the plants rather on the wet 

 side, and in winter keep on the dry, especially if they 

 are subjected to a reasonably low temperature. Ex- 

 perience teaches that, when the plants have completed 

 their season's growth, sufficient water only is needed 

 to prevent the leaves of the evergreen species from 

 perishing, and in the case of the deciduous kinds to pre- 

 vent undue shrivelling of the pseudo bulbs. There are 

 some Orchids that do not care for the least dryness at 

 the root at any time. For these, proper cultural direc- 

 tions will be given when treating of the different species 

 and varieties. 



Uncleanliness and Disease 



It is well known to all who have experience in Orchid 

 culture that light is indispensable to the well-doing of 



