438 THE GARDENER. [Oct. 



Of other things which suggested themselves to my mind as I saw 

 Orchids of this and many other kinds growing in trees in Eastern 

 gardens, and on trees in the forest- wilds, nothing w^as so fully im- 

 pressed as the great fact that nature everywhere gives air in abundance, 

 and always at night a comi)aratively cool and moist, if not actually 

 wet, climate. Tropical Orchids often experience the rudest of winds 

 and the pelting of the heaviest of rains. At night especially, heavy 

 rains are most usual — if not heavy rain, copious dews are ever the rule. 

 So heavy are these dews, that one is drenched to the skin in ten 

 minutes if you venture into the jungle in the early morning — every 

 leaf, every grass blade, being laden with big drops of condensed mois- 

 ture. Hence it is that abundance of fresh air and a moisture-laden 

 atmosphere (especially at night, or during seasons when dry fire-heat 

 must especially be employed) are of all things the most essential to 

 the permanent wellbeing of Orchids and all other tropical plants. 

 The great fact of most tropical rain falling after sunset has not yet 

 been fully felt and appreciated by cultivators, Coolness and moisture 

 at night is nature's great law, and those cultivators who neglect to 

 obey it will have an uphill fight to the last. 



Of the new race of summer-blooming Chrysanthemums too much 

 cannot be said. They are easily propagated either by cuttings or 

 division in the spring. Once well planted, they will grow throughout 

 the summer with as little care and attention as a Phlox or a Michael- 

 mas Daisy ; and then we are quite certain of their affording a fine dis- 

 play of bright-coloured flowers from the end of July until the frost 

 cuts them off in November or December. In pots they are as useful 

 as the late-blooming kinds for conservatory decoration indoors. As 

 border flowers, however, they are most effective. The varieties we 

 have now in bloom are Golden Madame Domage (yellow), White Queen 

 and St Mary (white). Scarlet Gem (bright red), Madame Pecaul (purple). 

 Illustration, and several others unnamed. As is also the case with 

 the late-blooming section, we find that young plants propagated in 

 late autumn, or early in the year from cuttings, are the best. In May 

 last Mr Robertson Munro sent us a dozen sorts — rooted cuttings ; 

 these planted at once in a deep rich border are now in fine flower, 

 and are admired by all our visitors, to most of whom they are quite a 

 novelty. 



To those who are anxious to cultivate Lilies, or indeed most other 

 bulbous-rooted plants, this season of the year is of especial interest. 

 October is perhaps, of all months of the year, the one most suitable for 

 planting Lilies and other bulbs. Our own best results in Lily culture 

 have been obtained by planting and repotting all Lily bulbs this month. 

 Just as the leaves turn yellow all Lilies may be most safely removed, 

 as their young roots have then scarcely protruded into the earth, and 



