TEMPERATURE AND ATMOSPHERE. 



339 



if dry, and the dampest if cool, are destitute of them ; while there is no 

 instance of a country, both hot and damp, in which they do not abound.'^ 

 — Ency. Gard, 



In regard to the proper degree of temperature and atmosphere neces- 

 sary for these plants, we find the following judicious remarks in Paxton's 

 Magazine of Botany : — In the native habitats of these plants, the season 

 of growth and flowering is that caUed the rainy season, at which time 

 the temperature is high, and the humidity great. But the imitation of 

 such a season in our hot-houses would be very Hkely to end in loss and 

 disappointment : for although subjected to great humidity (indeed border- 

 ing on saturation) in their native country, the situation they occupy in 

 the trees prevents the possibihty of injury, except in a few instances ; 

 whereas in our artificial climates the same means used would saturate 

 them, and they would speedily disappear. To imitate to a limited extent 

 the above chmate, may be done with benefit; therefore, during the 

 season of growth, never allow the temperature of the house in which the 

 plants are grown to be less than seventy-five degrees nor greater than 

 ninety-five degrees by day, nor lower than sixty degrees or higher than 

 seventy degrees by night. 



" It is also indispensable that the atmosphere of the house be kept moist 

 in the day-time, particularly on sunny days : but towards evening allow 

 the moisture to diy up, otherwise, when the temperature is decreased, if 

 humidity remains to any great degree, we have found it invariably be- 

 come injurious^ and to many small plants fatal : but in the morning 

 increase the temperature, and when the house is hot pour water on the 

 floor or other situations to fill the air with moisture.'' 



There are few of the Orchidese that require water at their roots : 

 indeed, they seem impatient of it, and many plants of this tribe are lost 

 in consequence of an undue apphcation of it, the humidity of the atmo- 

 sphere in most cases being found sufficient. But when it is evident that 

 water is required to be so applied, it should be administered by pouring it 

 in hmited quantities round the edges of the pot, allowing as Uttle as 

 possible to fall on the plant, excepting in the case of the robust-growing 

 kinds, which wiU be rather benefited than otherwise by a moderate 

 syringing over their tops. 



The following has been laid down by Mr. A. Scott, in a communication 

 to Mr. Loudon, and pubhshed in the last edition of the Ency. of Gard. : — 

 " The temperature of the stove should be kept while the plants are 

 growing at about seventy degrees, but may be allowed to rise by the 

 influence of the sun to eighty degrees, or more, according to the state of 



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