HABITS OF PLANTS— SEASON OP REPOSE, 
231 
sandstone. "In general," says Dr. Lindley, "in hot countries, the species are 
Epiphytes, while the terrestrial orchids that grow on the ground are rare and 
unknown," they require a colder climate, and are found abundantly in North 
America. Every cultivator should peruse the articles that are found in so many 
previous pages of this magazine, and the larger works by the pen of Dr. Lindley, 
and in other more recent publications. When every known fact is taken into 
consideration ; when it is also seen that at this declining season of the year numbers 
of superb species are blooming or coming into flower, how can it be conceived that 
a state of torpidity or rest should be induced — much less forced — upon such by 
arbitrary means ? The attempt would be equally irrational and injurious ! We 
construct an orchidaceous house, we are constrained to do so ; but herein we 
introduce the natives of various climes and habits ; the gardener, therefore, has 
specific duties to perform ; his eye must be everywhere ; and so far as artificiality on 
the one hand, and general principles on the other, are kept in view, the discerning 
cultivator must be ever on the alert to attend at once to the requirements of each par- 
ticular and individual species. The writer was lately favoured with a view of Messrs, 
Rollisson's houses at the Tooting Nursery, and therefore he can confidently refer to 
the article upon the " The Culture of Orchidese," as practised in that fine establish- 
ment, which is given at pp. 45-6, vol. iv. of this Magazine. To many persons, 
however, the following extract may be still acceptable : — " Messrs. Rollisson grow 
their Orchideous plants in a mean temperature, varying between 65° and 75° Far., 
with a moderate degree of moisture, and by thus avoiding extremes, they cultivate 
them to a degree of perfection to which few attain." Their house has a span-roof, 
and runs in a line from north-east to south-west ; when we saw it, although the day 
was cloudy and showery, the span-roof was shaded with a light covering, the paths 
had been recently sprinkled, but there was no appearance of drip or wet upon the 
plants, the heat was soft, moist, and oppressive, so far as closeness and the peculiar 
faint odour of the bloom were concerned ; but the thermometric temperature from 
the hot- water iron pipes at noon did not exceed 72° to 75°. 
" Down the centre there is a brick pit, which is filled at the bottom with brick- 
rubbish, and towards the surface with old spent bark or coal-ashes, and on this, the 
largest plants are elevated to within three or four feet of the glass ; all round this 
pit there is a path which is paved with stone, and between this path and the outside 
walls, there are stages on which are placed the young and small plants, among which 
are a few large ones." 
Some years having elapsed, numberless species have been introduced, and many 
Epiphytes with pseudo-bulbs growing on blocks, &c, &c, are now suspended from 
the rafters. On this subject, and on other modifications, a future inspection may 
enable us to communicate further information in the next number. At present what 
has been written will suffice to point out the object of this cautionary article. 
2. Succulent plants. — The Cacti, Epiphylla, and the like, may be taken as 
examples. They transpire little, and in general require no supply of water during 
