FOREIGN NOTICES, 



Moisture for Orchidaceous Plants. — The Gardener'' s Chronicle notices the 

 following curious speculation : " We observe in a late number of the Remte Horti- 

 cole, a statement by Mons. Duchavtre that Orchidaceous epiphytes are incapable 

 of feeding upon moisture suspended in the air as invisible vapor. He says that 

 experiment has satisfied him that this common idea is completely erroneous, and 

 that they feed wholly upon the mere water which, in a fluid state, comes in con- 

 tact with their leaves and roots. A damp atmosphere, according to this observer, 

 furnishes absolutely nothing in the shape of food, and can have no effect upon 

 them, except diminishing perspiration, which might be excessive if the air in 

 which they live were to become too dry. 



"M. Duchartre asserts that copious watering and syringing, especially upon 

 the roots, are what such orchids want. In their natural situations, they receive 

 it abundantly in the form of rain ; and in our houses they must also have it, if 

 they are to thrive. We are unacquainted with the detailed experiments which 

 have led to these conclusions, in the justice of which we are not at present pre- 

 pared to acquiesce. The statement is, however, important, and cultivators should 

 look to it. Maybe it throws some light upon the mysterious disease that has 

 appeared in our orchid houses of late. While, however, we pause to hear more 

 of M. Duchartre, we admit at once that the skin of orchids is much in need of 

 very careful examination. What, for example, are the innumerable papillaj (one 

 to each cell) which characterize the upper surface of the leaves of such plants as 

 phalsenopsis ?" 



Hybridizing. Lord Bacon. — There is no evidence that hybridization (or cross- 

 ing the sexes of plants of the same genera together, to produce new varieties in 

 the progeny) was known to the nations of antiquity, although grafting and inarch- 

 ing was commonly known and practised, by the Romans at least. On the con- 

 trary, that great philosopher. Lord Bacon, informs us that the "compounding 

 or mixture of kinds of plants is not found out, which, nevertheless, if it be pos- 

 sible, is more at command than that of living creatures ; wherefore, it was one of 

 the most notahle experiments touching plants to find it out, for so you may yet have 

 great variety of new fruits and fiiowers yet unknown.'''' Quite right, as we of this 

 generation know full well ; and we see how clearly he foresaw (two hundred and 

 fifty years ago) the results which would follow the "notable experiments" he sug- 

 gested; "for," added he, "grafting does it not; thatmendeth the fruit, or doubleth 

 the flowers, but it hath not the power to make a new kind, for the scion overruleth 

 the stock." 



A FEW Things which Everybody ought to Know. — A quart of peas, sown 

 in a shallow box fifteen inches wide by eighteen long, at any time of the year, 

 and cut off when about four or five inches high, and boiled like spinach, with a 

 little salt, makes a most delicious dish. The tops of Jerusalem artichokes, cut 

 off about six inches long, and boiled like other greens, make a capital dish, which 

 partakes, in some degree, of the flavor of the root. Boiled water-cress also makes 



wholesome and delicious dish. It must not, however, be over-boiled ; for 



Vol. YII. — September, 1857. 



28 



