MODE OF HEATIXG CULTIVATIOX. 



333 



epiphytes may grow attached to the bark of trees, to rocks, or even to 

 old walls, in their native country, they Tvill not equally flourish when 

 stuck up against a wall comparatively new, and abounding with cal- 

 careous matter, which appeal's to be most inimical to their constitutions. 



Few of this natural order attain any extraordinary perpendicular 

 height : those of them that are disposed to elongate to any extent, do so 

 naturally, or may be made to do so by training horizontally ; so that a 

 low-roofed house is the most proper for them, on account of the economy 

 in heating, and that those plants of humbler growth may derive sufficient 

 benefit from the sun by being placed near to the glass. A structure, of 

 any required length, and upon the principle represented in the annexed 

 diagram, would be, in our opinion, a very fit place for the cultivation and 

 display of Orchideous plants. 



The mode of heating may either be by hot water or smoke flues, and 

 the pipes or flues should be under the side platforms at a, which should 

 be covered vrith perforated boarding or trellised work, to admit of the 

 ascent of the heated air, not only to keep up a genial warmth around the 

 pots, but also to heat the atmosphere of the house with the least expendi- 

 ture of fuel. On these side platforms the smaller specimens should be 

 placed, by which means they would be brought close under the glass ; 

 the larger grovdng sorts placed on the table or platform, in the centre of 

 the house, and which may either be completely level, or elevated in the 

 centre, as shown in our sketch. 



We consider a cistern of water to be next to indispensable in the Or- 

 chideae House, and would propose to place it under the centre platform, 

 so as not to occupy space on which plants could be set. 



