A FEW FACTS CONNECTED WITH OKGHIDEOUS PLANTS. 1,4^ 
A FEW FACTS CONNECTED WITH ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS. 
By Mk. E. EEEINGTON, Gardenek to Sir P. Egertos, B.vrt., Oulton Park, Cheshire. 
tT may seem somewhat presumptuous in me to handle this subject, not being one of the great " grow- 
ers" — as those are termed who early embarked in the pm-suit, at an enormous outlay, and who, 
consequently, bid all other competitors defiance. Nevertheless, as knowledge is of an accumulative cha- 
racter, and as other minds are set at work, through the medium of hints or suggestions carryuig a 
spark of novelty about them, I will jJroceed to comment on a few of the great principles which seems 
to govern theii' cultm-e. 
AtmosjAeric Moisture. — I feel persuaded that many structm-es appropriated to the cultm'e of this 
lovely and eccentric tribe, are still deficient m their provisions for this essential element. I hope, 
however, that no one will supj)ose, I wish to see an Orcliid-house in a suifocating condition, thi-ough 
what is termed steam ! Quite the reverse ; I merely want, so to charge the air with moisture, 
especially during their greatest rapidity of growth, as that, whilst as much moisture is permanently 
present in the atmosphere, as the plants can absorb, steaming would be entirely superfluous, and di'ip 
by all means avoided. As for the tossing of water two or thi-ee times a-day, on a few hot pipes, — that I 
consider a most pitiable eoui-se, if not an evil one. The fear of di-iji, it would appear, hmders many a 
one from using, at certain periods, a proper amount of atmospheric moistm-e : this ought not to be, and 
argues, in my opinion, defective ventilation ; or, it may be, the use of too much fii-e-heat, at times when 
it would be much safer to descend several degrees in temperature. 
Ventilation. — I encourage a shght amoimt of this, night and day; never shutting up entirely close 
drrring the dormant season, unless in cases of sheer necessity; and I can only say, that since I fearlessly 
adopted this com-se, a most marked improvement has taken place in the plants in general, both eastern 
and western species. I find it necessary, however, to keep a good deal of moistm-e about the parts 
beneath the stages ; for it must be remembered that the dissipation is very considerable, when constant 
ventilation is had recourse to. The roof of our house is almost continually studded, here and there, 
with dew-di-oj)s ; these seldom fall on the plants, or, at least, if they do fall, I can only say that I have 
not lost a bud, a leaf, or a shoot in consequence, up to this period. Fresh ah is, of com'se, constantly 
entering ; and this, passing over a pipe in a simk panel, the bottom of which is generally covered with 
water, conveys the warmed ah moistened throughout the house. 
Light. — Of all the elements, however, necessary to the proper developement of the parts of Or- 
chideous plants, none is of more importance than light. This may seem strange to young beginners, who 
will wonder, after this, why so much fuss is made about shading. Now, in this, as well as in propagation 
by cuttmgs, it becomes the student in Horticultui'e to make a nice disiiiiction. The dii-ect action of sun- 
light is one thing, its indh-ect or refi-acted action another ; at least, as to its effects on the perspu-atory 
organs of the plant. Nevertheless I am persuaded, that when these tribes are in good health, mishaken 
by capricious relapses in cultiu-e, they will endm-e, and cujoj' much more sunlight than has hitherto been 
accorded them, especially when theu' early growth is nearly completed, or, say, towards August and 
September. 
Independent, however, of the direct action of the solar rays, I do not think there is one, fi-om any 
clime, but ^Till benefit by all the light om' climate affords ; and herein I think the present practice 
of suspending baskets, &c. over orchids growing in pots, is not quite the thing to promote the highest 
point of cultm-e. To be sure they are grown so, and grown well too : but tliis, I submit, is not the 
answer that will long satisfy a public eager for progress. Pines were grown well by a variety of modes, 
twenty years ago ; did the public, however, rest satisfied with this fact ? No ; the question wiU con- 
stantly recm- in this, as in other things, can these things be still better done ? Is there any room for 
further progress ? Any person looking, for instance, at Mr. Pucker's splendid collection, so admhably 
managed by Mr. Mylam, might, at first sight, imagine that the very summit of perfection had been 
attained. It will not, however, be found so, in the vegetable kingdom, to which it would appear om' 
gracious Creator has set no bounds in this respect ; or, if there be any bounds, I am at a loss to con- 
ceive in wliich of our vegetable productions it has become manifest ? 
Admittmg, nevertheless, that the light, intercepted by baskets, or blocks, is indeed injurious to those 
in pots beneath, the question arises, what is to be done with the basket and block tribes ? In my 
opinion, then, it would be good pohcy, in the case of two houses being considered requisite, to have ^ 
one all stages or shelves for the pots, boxes, &c. &c. ; and the other devoid of shelves, and fitted up to ^ 
suspend the blocks and baskets from. I am perfectly aware it will be said that this arrangement would & 
