ORCHIDS FOR A COOL HOUSE. 



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sales at which special and rare specimens have fetched abnormal 

 prices. The public argue that as certain plants have been 

 sold for three figures, therefore all plants of the same family 

 will cost about the same sum. When you tell them that they 

 are mistaken, and that while certain unique specimens have 

 fetched these high prices, you can purchase many beautiful 

 varieties for a few shillings, you are answered: "If I cannot 

 have the best I will have none at all." 



Is this your practice in other things ? Do you, or your wife, 

 discard china from your tea-table because you cannot have " Fine 

 Sevre" or " Old Crown Derby"? Do you refuse to place a 

 bottle of claret before your friend at dinner because you cannot 

 command the finest vintages of Leoville or Lafitte ? No ; you 

 make yourself thoroughly happy with a bottle of some more 

 humble brand. Yet with Orchids you need not take so low a 

 place. Some of your less costly plants will be as beautiful, and 

 as pleasure-giving, as the highest-priced rarities. 



To be an Orchid-grower you need not be a collector of 

 curiosities, neither need you aspire to have that which nobody 

 else possesses. 



II. Orchids are expensive to grow. 



Orchids are connected in the public mind with great heat, 

 and consequently believed to involve a large expenditure in fuel. 

 It will be my endeavour to give you a list of Orchids, and how 

 to grow them, which not only require a perfectly cool treatment, 

 but are second to none in beauty and interest. 



First let me describe the kind of house most suited for our 

 purpose. 



" The cool Orchid-house " is best, in my opinion, in the 

 form of a " lean-to" as against the " span roof." The aspect 

 should be north or north-west. The width of the house 12 feet, 

 and as long as may be required to accommodate the number of 

 plants proposed to be grown. The height at the back should 

 not be more than 11 feet. The lights in front should be 

 18 inches, and not made to open. Ventilation, for which there 

 must be ample facilities, is best secured by shutters let into the 

 brick wall and working on a centre pin, so that the current of 

 air may easily be regulated. These ventilators should be near 

 the ground, so that in cold, frosty weather the air may be 



