BASKETS FOR ORCHIDS. 



47 



important that they are well, but not over, burnt, and if fresh from the kiln should be 

 thoroughly soaked in water previous to use. Generally, pots that have been used 

 before are preferable to new ones, and in any case they must be thoroughly cleansed 

 inside and out before use. They are obtainable in many different kinds : the ordinary 

 flower pot, as used for greenhouse plants generally, the small pan pierced at the rim for 

 suspending, and the pot with perforated sides. Others have loose bottoms to facilitate 

 turning the plants out, and almost every maker of pots in the country has some inven- 

 tion for " assisting " orchidists. Before purchasing such, beginners in orchid culture 

 will do well to see them in actual use by an experienced grower, and hear his opinion, 

 for money may be frittered away on useless fads that only lead to disappointment. 



Fig. 19. Orchid Basket. Fig. 20. West's Patent Basket. 



The suitability of the various classes of pots for different orchids will be discussed under 

 " Potting and Basketing." 



Baskets. — These are made principally of wood or wire. The wood basket, Fig. 19, 

 is the more generally used, and is admirable for most of the weaker-growing epiphytal 

 orchids, while many stronger growers, producing pendant racemes of flower, have also 

 a finer appearance in them than in pots, the baskets being suspended from the roof. 

 West's patent basket, Fig. 20, has bevelled rods; this to catch the water and 

 convey it to the compost, which the inventor claims it does readily. Teak is the best 

 and most lasting wood for baskets, and it is obtainable in rods of different lengths and 

 sizes, so that, if preferred, the baskets may be made at home. The rods should be cut 

 into suitable lengths according to the size of the required basket, placed in a vice, and 

 bored through at the corners, a stiff copper wire being passed through each corner, and 

 turned into a plain loop at the top and bottom. Smaller wires may be passed through 

 the upper loops for suspending. Wire baskets are made in various patterns and sizes, 



