188 GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



description of plants we are now treating of re- 

 quire a season of rest : the nearer, therefore, with 

 respect to this particular and their reaction, we can 

 approach nature, the greater will be our success in 

 the cultivation of the plant. 



Let it be remembered that the orchidese are 

 found in the thickest woods, as well as upon soli- 

 tary trees, where the direct rays of the sun never 

 shine ; it will therefore be useless to add that a 

 moderate degree of shade will be indispensably ne- 

 cessary for their arriving at perfection, even in this 

 more northerly clime. In many parts, the night 

 dews fall very heavily, which, in some measure, ac- 

 counts for the existence of numerous plants at- 

 tached to trees, and deriving little or no support 

 from them, they being supported and fed by their 

 absorbent powers attracting moisture or succour 

 from the surrounding atmosphere. Hence the 

 necessity of moist air being kept up, when they are 

 in a vigorous growing state ; and more particularly 

 so when suspended from the roof of the house. 

 Owing to the too generally received opinion, that 

 this beautiful family of plants are difficult of culti- 

 vation, they are as yet confined to a few collections; 

 but it is to be hoped that before long they will 

 grace our common hothouses, as the gesnerias 

 now do. Having this view, I have obtained the 

 assistance of several friends, eminent for their cul- 

 tivation of orchideous plants, and whose practical 



