1 873-] WINTER-FLOWERING ORCHIDS. 229 



and one berry makes room for another. When set, and before ever thinning is 

 attempted, each bunch should be firmly syringed with clean tepid water, allow- 

 ing them to become quite dry again before thinning is begun. This syringing 

 removes all decayed blooms, unfertilised berries, and other adhesive matter, 

 more perfectly and quicker than the scissors or any other appliance, and not only 

 accelerates and renders more easy the thinning of all varieties, but Muscats 

 and other shy-setting kinds can often be sufficiently cleaned in this manner, 

 so that no more thinning is required. 



Where a large houseful has to be thinned with little means of accomplishing 

 it quickly, thinning should start immediately they are set, selecting the thick- 

 est set bunches, and relieving them of all that is likely soon to obstruct the 

 swelling of the permanent berries. Gone over in this way as a preliminary 

 thinning, the second and final thinning should be very carefully performed, 

 taking out the smallest berries, and leaving all as equal in size as possible. No 

 bunch should ever be allowed to get so crowded before thinning that the scis- 

 sors cannot be conveniently inserted without being in danger of piercing the 

 berries : those so punctured sometimes do not show their blemishes until swell- 

 ing is well advanced, when they have to be cut out with the hazard of spoiling 

 the symmetry of the entire bunch. With the exception of Lady Downes, no 

 allowance should ever be made for thinning out a few berries if too thick just 

 before they are fully swelled. Large blanks are thus formed which are rarely 

 nicely filled up again. Lady Downes should be left rather thick until after the 

 stoning, that a reserve may replace those which generally decay through scald- 

 ing at this critical period. Rust on Grapes is said to be caused by contact with 

 the hands, hair, &c. , while thinning. This, I think, is not correct. Such friction 

 is, however, not conducive to their appearance. Grapes brushed even while 

 thus small in size bear traces of tarnished bloom at last. A good way of steady- 

 ing the bunch or supporting the shoulder while thinning, is to use a small forked 

 piece of wood in the form of the letter Y> which can be easily slipped in between 

 the berries without touching them with the hand, or in any way tampering with 

 their bloom. To prevent the berries from falling to the ground and mixing with 

 the soil when thinning, a circular wire 18 inches in diameter is covered with a 

 piece of canvas in a scoop form tapering to a point, four cords are attached to 

 the wire at equal distances, knotted together at whatever length is desired, and 

 united to a hook to suspend it from the trellis, so as to come underneath the 

 bunch and receive all the thinnings. J. M. 



WIISTTER-FLOWERING ORCHIDS. 



LYCASTE SKINNERII. 



Some Orchids can only be successfully cultivated where a high tem- 

 perature is maintained ; and in addition to this, they require much 

 extra care and attention. Others, however, grow luxuriantly in a 

 moderate heat, and can be grown to perfection by any ordinary plants- 

 man, since they require no more coddling than do Azaleas or Camellias 

 when making their growth. In the latter class we may include the 

 beautiful and free-flowering species to which this paper is devoted. 

 If this plant has a fault, it is in being cheap and too easily grown ; 



