130 THE FLORIST. 



little bloom need be expected, and there will always he a greater 

 risk of the plants suffering during the winter when their growth 

 IS not properly ripened. JBy means of more light and air, and 

 less moisture, the temperature should be gradually lowered to 

 50° or 55°, which will be found sufficient during the winter. In 

 February they may be induced to flower by giving them a some- 

 what higher temperature, say 65°; treated thus, the plants would 

 most likely bloom in April. 



Various composts have been recommended for the potting of 

 Orchids ; whatever it may be, it shriuld be very porous, and 

 capable of resisting decay for as long a period as possible ; for 

 during the growing season it will frequently be saturated with 

 water ; and if the compost used consists of materials which rot 

 quickly the roots will soon be surrounded with decayed matter, 

 which will retain the water and injure the health of the plant. 

 This applies to other Orchids as well as our present subject. 

 Sphagnum moss, charcoal, and potsherds are found to answer the 

 purpose well. 



THE PEACH. 



(Continued from page llOJ. 

 As the ordinary routine of disbudding the trees of their surplus w^ood 

 has been already detailed at page I'l, I need not notice it further, as 

 the same course will have to be followed until the trees cover their 

 allotted space ; before which time they will be in a full-bearing state, 

 which will act as a check to over-luxuriance, and by managing this the 

 trees may be kept at about the same size for a number of years. One 

 fact in reference to disbudding should be remembered ; that as the 

 leaves are the natural mode by which the stored- up sap is converted 

 into wood, if a large quantity is removed at once, it frequently induces 

 gum and other diseases. The more forward foreright shoots should 

 therefore be taken off first ; after an interval of two or three days, the 

 strongest side buds not wanted for making wood ; and thus gradually 

 going over the whole trees two or three times a week, for three or four 

 weeks, which will get the wood left regularly, and the trees will 

 experience no check, which would otherwise be the case. So much 

 has been written about protecting the bloom of the Peach, that I almost 

 fear your readers are beginning to consider it a case incapable of satis- 

 factory explanation. That a deal of mischief is done to the bloom of 

 the Peach, Nectarine, and Apricot, by over-covering, there is no doubt, 

 let the covering be what it may. Netting, canvas, boughs of trees, 

 straw ropes — all of them — if suffered to remain on the trees constantly 

 while they are in bloom, weaken their development, and consequently 

 their setting ; while, on the other hand, to fully expose the bloom to 

 the effects of frosty and cold easterly winds, is equally fatal. The 

 safest plan lies between the two extremes ; i. e., a protection available 

 when wanted by day, and to place before them each night, excepting in 



