1873.] TEMPERATURE FOR LATE GRAPES. 61 



habit of this plant somewhat resembles that of 0. Pescatorei, and the 

 bulbs are sometimes spotted with brown as in that species. 



0. Uro-Skinnerii. — This plant has great fat speckled pseudo-bulbs and 

 broad foliage, and is altogether very distinct, both in habit and flower. 

 Like most other Orchids, it varies considerably in the size and colour 

 of its flowers, some varieties being very richly tinted. Sepals and 

 petals yellowish green, more or less heavily blotclied with purple brown. 

 Lip broadish, cordate, of a white colour mottled with rose. This plant 

 grows well in the coolest house, but requires an abundant supply of 

 moisture nearly all the year. 



It bears ten to twenty flowers on spikes from 2 to 3 feet long, when 

 well established and in good health. Guatemala. 



0. Bictoniense. — This is another species from Guatemala, having 

 been introduced in 1837. It bears numerous erect spikes during the 

 winter and spring months. These spikes are from 18 inches to nearly 

 3 feet high on good specimens, and bear fifteen to twenty flowers, which 

 open in gradual succession. Flowers about 1 inch across, of a yellow 

 colour blotched with brown. Lip often white, sometimes of the deep- 

 est rose. It sports into several varieties, the best of which are very 

 ornamental. F. W. B. 



A HIGHER TEMPERATURE FOR LATE GRAPES. 



The old adage " that there is nothing new under the sun," I suppose 

 will hold good in this case also, although I am not aware of ever 

 having seen this point in late Grape-culture mentioned in any of the 

 many and able " treatises" that have of late been written on ne culti- 

 vation of the Vine. I would recommend the growing all late Grapes 

 in higher temperature than they are generally grown in, and also that 

 they should be started earlier than is usual, so that they may get the 

 benefit of the sun before its power begins to wane in autumn, so as to 

 bring up all the properties which constitute high flavour, and which 

 is not to be effected without plenty of bright sun. And now 

 that it is proved beyond a doubt that Grapes cut and bottled will 

 keep for a long time without any detriment to the flavour, they can all 

 be cut by the second week in January, the Vines pruned, and got ready to 

 start by the first week in March, so that the ripening process may be com- 

 pleted before the end of August, when the sun has still great power ; 

 and, in my opinion, the last two months' treatment goes a long way 

 towards the high finish of Grapes, if all other things have been going 

 on right through the early part of the season. Some may object to 

 ripening Grapes so early that have to hang so long ; but they will keep 



