WINDFALLS. 



A New System of Ventilation for Orchid Houses. 



— In order to grow orchids well, especially those native 

 to elevated regions, it is necessary to give them a humid 

 atmosphere, and this should be frequently changed ; 

 but in summer or when the air outside becomes dry, its 

 introduction into the greenhouse may have an injurious 

 effect upon the plants, due to the drying of vegetative 

 organs. Every one knows that the quantity of the 

 vapor of water held in suspension in the atmosphere is in 

 proportion to the temperature, and that the higher the 

 temperature is, the greater is the amount of vapor held- 

 When the air becomes heated it can carry a greater 

 amount of vapor, and it draws this from all bodies capa- 

 ble of furnishing it. In the greenhouse these bodies 

 will consist of the walks, the tables and the plants ; 

 and it is probable that free access of the outside air, 

 heated by the sun, will be injurious to the vegetation, 

 especially to those plants which require a permanently 

 humid atmosphere about their roots. The large quan- 

 tities of water used in the greenhouses during the sum- 

 mer no doubt remedy this, but would it not be better to 

 admit air already saturated with moisture ? With this 

 idea in mind I have devised a system of ventilation 

 which has given excellent results. The cost is only 

 trifling. Through the foundation of the greenhouse I 

 made rectangular holes, twenty inches wide by fourteen 

 inches high ; then I put in a layer of bottle glass 

 broken into pieces about the size of peas. The thick- 

 ness of this layer depends upon the thickness of the 

 walls. Upon this bed, I placed a metallic screen, 

 made of galvanized iron wire, the meshes being 

 rather fine. This screen had been folded upon it- 

 self several times at the ends, so that when put 

 in place there was a space of almost half an inch be- 

 tween it and the glass. Then came a second layer of 

 glass and a second screen, and so on until the hole was 

 entirely filled. After water was thrown upon this filling, 

 a current of very moist air entered the greenhouse, for 

 the air had to pass over a large surface of wet bodies ; 

 and since the latter were not capable of decay, it re- 

 mained perfectly pure. I also noticed the air entering 

 the house had been considerably cooled, and this I con- 

 sider a favorable circumstance, especially for alpine 

 plants, which languish in the heat of our summers. To 

 exclude vermin of all kinds I fastened a screen of cop- 

 per wire on the inside so that it closely covered each 

 hole. The edges of the screens were imbedded in the 

 masonry. Some persons may object to pouring water 

 on these fillings several times a day : but to do this is a 

 habit that is easily acquired. With a good syringe, a 

 large amount of water can easily be forced into the 

 holes, and when one considers the excellent results that 

 follow, the extra burden will be considered very light. 

 — Em. Pierret, in Le Journal des Orcliidi'es. 



Paper Flower Pot. — The American Garden has 

 given the Neponset paper flower pot a good trial, and is 

 of the opinion that it is a most useful contrivance for 

 shipping plants and for use in the starting of young 

 stock for the market. 



Some Early Spring Insects. — Almost as soon as the 

 cabbages, radishes and turnips appear above ground, 

 the flea beetles will attack them. Ground tobacco 

 stems will keep the pests at bay. The cut worms, also, 

 are anxiously waiting for a chance at the early vegeta- 

 bles. Gratify their anxiety by strewing a few bunches 

 of clover leaves, or pieces of cabbage, about the garden 

 before planting time, but be sure to dip the baits in a 

 mixture of Paris green and water before distributing 

 them. The early worm will get caught. It is now time 

 to cut out raspberry canes containing tree cricket eggs. 

 Recent observations show that this insect does consider- 

 able good by feeding upon plant-lice, but it is doubtful 

 if the benefit counterbalances the injury where grapes 

 and raspberries are largely grown. A dose of hellebore 

 in time will save many times nine leaves on the cur- 

 rants and goosebeeries. Dust the bushes as soon as 

 small round holes appear in the lower leaves. Repeat 

 the application a week later. Few insects are easier to 

 keep in check if you begin early. Hand-picking may 

 seem a doubtful remedy for the white grub, but it will 

 often pay in garden practice. If the soil is filled with 

 these pests, and it is in many localities now, put a small 

 boy with a tin pail after the plow and have him gather 

 in all of the brown-headed rascals he can find. Then 

 let him use them to feed the chickens, or for fish-bait 

 Look out for the first crop of potato beetles. Destroy 

 them before they deposit their eggs and you will be 

 saved much trouble later. — C. M. Weed, O/iio. 



Hydrangea Treatment. — H. H. H., in the January 

 issue (p. 53) asks how to prune Hydra)igea Hortensis , 

 paniculata . This shrub is seldom pruned as severely as 

 it should be. I cut the annual wood back to one joint ; 

 since there are three buds to each node this will give all 

 the wood the plant can well nourish and produce pani- 

 cles of large size. I have had seven feet of wood and 

 panicles twelve to fifteen inches long as a result of such 

 pruning. If not cut back hard the growth will be thick 

 and weak, and the panicles will be numerous and very 

 small. The latter mode of trimming will answer if 

 quantity instead of quality of bloom is the object sought. 

 — E. S. Miller, Long Island. 



"A love for floral occupations, so simple and so nat- 

 ural, that in all times and countries they have been the 

 delight of the highest, as well as the lowest, insensibly 

 strengthens upon us as we become interested in the 

 growth of plants and the development of the varied 

 forms of beauty and grace with which every leaf, ten- 

 dril, and blossom is replete ; and the exercise involved 

 in the pursuit thus, soon becomes, also, a source of 

 pleasure and mental satisfaction, and is not, as in many 

 other cases, an irksome duty performed for the preser- 

 vation of bodily health." — ./. J. Do'aniing. 



Horticultural Progress. — It is marvelous to what 

 success horticultural science has attained. Here is Jim 

 Miller, actually raising black-cap raspberries on corn- 

 stalks, whereas only a few years ago Bill Nye's attempt 

 to graft the doughnut on the pie-plant was an absolute 

 failure. — Adrian [Alick.') News. 



