62 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



orchids from New Grenada and Columbia, including the majority of odontoglossums, 

 masdevallias, many of the oncidiums, lycastes, maxillarias, disas, indeed the majority of 

 those marked (C) in the lists that will follow, can hardly be too heavily shaded during 

 the summer months. The blinds are used, in fact, to keep the temperature down in hot 

 weather, which could not otherwise be done. 



All the distichous-leaved class of orchids, such as angreecum, aerides, vanda, and 

 saccolabium, require shading, but only so far as this is necessary to prevent injury to 

 the foliage. The same may be said of cattleyas, as a rule, and the Brazilian lselias above 

 referred to. A very good test for these, as to the amount of shading needed, is to feel 

 the foliage with the hand. When it becomes slightly warm to the touch, the shading 

 must be run down, and remain as long as the sun shines on that part of the house. It is 

 bad practice to lower the blinds at any stated time in the day, as if too early, it will 

 lead to spindly weak growths ; if too late, scorching of the foliage will result. Nor ought 

 the blinds to remain down when the sun is not shining, but care and watchfulness must 

 be exercised. Cypripedium as a rule must be well shaded during the summer months. 



In the winter no shading is needed, but on the contrary the glass should be kept clean 

 and free from all sediment inside and out that prevents the entry of light. This is an 

 important point that needs far more care than is at present bestowed upon it, for orchids 

 of many kinds are found growing naturally in full light where the days are more equal 

 in summer and winter than in this country, where the sun may not show for several 

 consecutive days. 



In conclusion, we would warn beginners, and small cultivators generally, not to listen 

 to the advice sometimes offered as to following Nature for certain plants, and leaving 

 the shading off the roof because these individual species grow naturally in the full sun. 

 Those who advance these stupid theories forget that there is a great difference in plants 

 growing under glass and others growing naturally, and free to every wind that blows. 

 They forget, too, that in many instances we can improve on wild specimens by giving 

 them the treatment found to be most suitable, rather than leaving them to fight for a place 

 among many other forms of vegetation. 



Ventilation. 



Provided that a cold, dry, or draughty atmosphere is not caused, and that the tem- 

 perature is not unduly lowered, orchids cannot have too much air. This is the point 

 that should be kept in mind in ventilation, and then no one can go far wrong. It is 



