3G0 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



attention required by other plants, it has got the reputation of being 

 difficult to cultivate. A cultivator who goes about his work systema- 

 tically, can grow the Ouvirandra as well as any other plant under 

 similar conditions ; but inattention to changing the water has wrought 

 much mischief, and seriously affected the health of the plants. 



As some of your readers may not have seen this plant, I send a 

 sketch of a single leaf of it. The leaves of the plant are entire, oblong 

 in shape, and the veins, except about five or 

 six, which run longitudinally, are in parallel 

 lines across the leaves, between which are little 

 square holes or cavities, which give to it pre- 

 cisely the form of lattice-work, or a rope lad- 

 der; hence its common name, the Lattice plant. 

 The leaves grow from 9 to 15 inches in length, 

 and are of a beautiful dark -green hue. 0. 

 Berneriana is of much larger growth, produc- 

 ing leaves from 15 to 20 inches in length, and 

 of a bright green colour, but they are not so 

 open as those of O. fenestralis. They are both 

 well worth cultivation where space will permit. A good plant of O. 

 Berneriana will fill a tub 3 feet in diameter, while an ordinary-sized 

 plant of 0. fenestralis will grow in an inverted bell-glass 18 inches in 

 diameter — in fact, a very good thing in which to grow it, as it shows 

 off the beauties of its leaves to the best advantage ; while a large tub 

 or slate cistern about 18 inches deep will be required for 0. Ber- 

 neriana. 



But now to the cultivation of this interesting plant. Having de- 

 cided on the material of which the vessel shall be composed in which 

 the plant is to grow, whether of slate, wood, or glass, it should be 

 plunged to one-third of its depth in bottom-heat in the warmest corner 

 of the stove. This done, place 2 or 3 inches of clean washed gravel 

 from the river-side over the bottom, and fill it up to the brim with rain- 

 water previously heated to between 70° and 80°. The soil I have 

 proved best suited to this plant is rough turfy loam, broken into small 

 pieces with the .hand, the very fine soil sifted from it, and one-third of 

 coarse river-sand added. Prepare the pots, or pans, which are better, 

 if to be had of a convenient size, in the same way as for other plants, 

 by placing crocks at the bottom, and some of the largest pieces of turf 

 on the top of these, to prevent the soil from mixing with them. If the 

 plants are young seedlings with no ball to them, dip the roots in dry 

 river-sand till they are quite covered with it before placing the plants 

 in the pots. In the case of older plants, loosen as many of the roots 

 as possible round the sides of the ball, spread them out on the top of 



