1869.] HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 307 



STOK"E BLOCKS FOR OBCHIDS. 



I AM not aware that the acknowledged authorities on this beautiful 

 family of plants, who have favoured us with a revelation of the secrets 

 of their art in the successful culture of the various species of Orchids, 

 have ever spoken of stone as suitable material on w^hich to place those 

 which are generally recommended to be placed on blocks of wood. 

 Neither have I any recollection of ever having seen Epiphytes with a 

 stone to feed upon. This material may, however, be used beyond the 

 range of my observation. Be this as it may, my present object is not 

 to recommend stone blocks as the best sort that can be used, nor to 

 say that I have, from any lengthened experience, found any advantage 

 in using stone instead of wooden blocks, but simply to state that about 

 a month ago I had to look about for a few suitable blocks for Orchids, 

 and could not conveniently find them ; and as is often the case in gar- 

 dening, where a way cannot be found it has to be made, and so a few 

 soft freestone blocks were hewn into shape something like small sugar- 

 loaves, and placed a few inches deep in pans filled with soft water. On 

 one was placed a sickly plant of Phalasnopsis amabilis, and on others 

 plants of ^Erides Lobbii and A. Dayanum. The first named of these 

 especially had not a fresh root, and just one leaf, when placed on the 

 cone of stone. They were simply fixed in their places with a piece of 

 matting, and a little fresh Sphagnum placed round their collars. The 

 Phalsenopsis has now three fine healthy leaves of a dark-green colour, 

 and is rooting and growing vigorously, and clinging to the stone with 

 immense roots, which are covered with a gelatinous substance, the sign 

 of health. The same may be said of the yErides. 



The soft freestone, by capillary attraction, keeps itself always full of 

 moisture, and it is, moreover, a good absorbent and conductor of heat ; 

 and, so far as my observation goes, it appears a material worthy the 

 attention of Orchid-fanciers. Soft freestone can be cut into such a 

 variety of shapes that a house of Orchids might be made to look much 

 more picturesque than they are generally met with. 



Dkumlanrig Gardens. D. Thomson. 



HINTS FOR AMATEURS.— JULY. 



Hugh of the work in the vegetable-garden at present will be, carrying 

 out what could not be attended to last month — such as the planting 

 out of Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Leeks, and many other 

 kinds of vegetables, for supplying the table in autumn, winter, and 

 spring. For autumn use a quick growth is desirable ; but crops, espe- 



