190 



GUIDE TO THE CONSERVATORY. 



mid atmosphere, particularly during the hot sum- 

 mer months : this is easily managed by pouring 

 water on the paths and flues several times in the 

 day. and by placing pans containing water upon the 

 flues or the stage during the time the plants are in 

 their most vigorous growth. 



Shade.- — It will be necessary to shade for a few 

 hours during the hottest days of summer. This 

 may be effected by means of a thin net similar to 

 that used to protect peach trees in the spring. It 

 would be the readiest and most convenient way to 

 accomplish the purpose in view, if the net were 

 secured in a case on a roller at the top of the roof, 

 and so fitted as to be drawn up and down by ropes 

 and pulleys : by this means protection could be af- 

 forded from wet, and the whole could be removed 

 during the winter months. 



Potting. — For potting I use shallow pots similar 

 tc the figure here described : 



so that I can either suspend them, or have them on 

 the stage at pleasure. They are perforated, as re- 

 presented by the dots and by stripes cut out in the 

 manner shewn in the above patterns. All of the 

 orchidean family are much benefited with a free 

 drainage ; in most cases it is advisable to invert a 

 small pot over the hole of the large one. and to fill 



