DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



491 



We also have often had occasion to break the side 

 of Stanhopea pots, to preserve the flower stems. 

 We see no reason why Stanhopeas , like other 

 Epiphytal species, should not be <>rown upon 

 ijlvjcks. Indeed, we have grown the beautiful 

 Stanhopea tigrina in this way, to as f>reat perfec- 

 tion as it would attain in its native (Mexican) 

 Ibrests. We grew Stanhopea aculata in a similar 

 way. 



It does not follow, because found in open glades, 

 that these orchids should be attached to blocks of 

 wood, or suspended in the atmosphere, as Mr. 

 Appleby has suggested. It is in such situations 

 that most of our finest terestrial orchids are found, 

 and must be treated according to their nature. 

 In those elevated districts are also found many 

 truly Epiphytal species, growing upon single trees. 

 But they are much more abundant in the low and 

 liumid forests, where shade and moisture predomi- 

 nate, as suggested in our former letter. They all 

 require the same general treatment, except that 

 those found in the former locality mayl)e subjected 

 to a lewer temperature, less humidity, and a 

 greater exposure to the rays of the sun ; but these 

 we would not recommend to too great an extent. 

 For whatever elevation they grow in, or iiowever 

 much exposed to a tropical sun, they enjny a free 

 atmosphere, not like what they would be subjected 

 to in many of our ill ventilated houses ; and if we 

 but patiently consult the laws of nature, we will 

 readily perceive how wisely she provides for her 

 children in all situations. Even in the ti'opics, 

 where the solar rays are most luminous, the gi- 

 gantic trees will, (as in temperate countries,) 

 expand their foliage in the warmest season of the 

 year, and afford ^lartial shade to the more delicate 

 orekids that inhabit their branches. They may be 

 located in our houses so as to receive more light 

 than the majority of tlie plants. To achieve this 

 end, or rather, to imitate nature, we grew many 

 species of Catasetuvi, Mor modes , Myanthus, &c.; 

 (many of which are often found on single trees in 

 open glades,) on the top of large blocks, fixed in 

 stands, as described in our last, — a situation in 

 which they seemed to delight, firmly attaching 

 their viscous roots to the rougli bark of the wood, 

 from which they produce numerous seeondaiy or 

 lateral rootlets, which extended in every direc- 

 tion, as if in search of food. In this elevated lo- 

 cation, they shared the same general treatment, 

 shade and moisture, as the whole collection ; but 

 being nearer the glass, they consequently had 

 more light, and dried sooner. 



We promised in our last to refer particularly to 

 some American, or Brazilian species. Among 

 the multitudes of orchids that inhabit those coun- 

 tries, we believe the Laelias and Cattleyas wor- 

 thy of precedence ; not merely for the large size 

 of the flowers of some, nor the deep crimson or 

 delicate lilac of others, but the transparency of 

 their texture, the exquisite clearness of their 

 colours, the graceful manner in which their broad, 

 flag-like petals wave and intermingle with every 



breeze, and the simplicity of their treatment. Of 

 the genus Laclia, there are several species, oi 

 which the Laelia superbiens is the finest yet 

 known. This stately Epiphyte was first found by 

 Mr. Hartweg, collector to the London Horticul- 

 tural Society; and also by Mr. Skinner, who 

 speaks of it thus: " Saw you ever anything like 

 this? This most magnificent of all plants, I have 

 sent several times. It flowers in November, and 

 m some instances bears from 18 to 20 flowers on 

 the stems, from 9 to 12 feet long. Chantia, it.s 

 native habitat, is very cold — 55 to 65 degrees; 

 and in Costa Rica, where it is also found, the 

 temperature is 68 to 70 degrees generally." 



Mr. Bateman, an extensive Englisii grower, 

 and author of a superb work on the orcliidacssa of 

 Mexico and Guatemala, says that this plant is 

 found growing out of the crevices of the rocks, in 

 the cooler districts of Guatemala, — chiefly in pla- 

 ces that are" sheltered from the keenness of the 

 northern winds. In such situations, the pseudo 

 bulbs sometimes grow 22 inches high, and have 

 flower scajies 4 yards long, crowned with up- 

 wards of 20 flowers; but this immense size is not 

 common. When the plants grow exposed to the 

 nortliern breeze, they are very small, and have an 

 imperfect, stunted appearance. In England, the 

 flower stems grow about 6 feet in length, and the 

 pseudo bulbs usually about a foot. This species 

 was in many English collections a long time be- 

 fore it flowered. The cause of tlieir failure, in 

 this respect, may be justly assigned to the fact, 

 that when first introduced the plants were kept 

 in high temperature, and a close, moist atmos- 

 phere. These conditions being most favorable to 

 luxuriant growth, no doubt prevented the produc- 

 tion of flowers ; and it was not till the plants 

 were subjected to a low temperature, that they 

 showed any indication of bloom. It grows best, 

 tied to a block of wood, and suspended from the 

 roof. I am, sir, respectfully yours, 31. C. Neiv 

 burgh, January, 1849. 



The Ghent Gladiolus. This new bulb, (Gla- 

 diolus gandavcnsis ,) is a great ornament to our 

 flower gardens from July till October. The hue 

 of the flowers is a rich orange scarlet, or fire 

 color, the plant very vigorous, and suits particu- 

 larly well our warm .summers, giving us gay 

 blossoms when the garden most needs brilliancy. 

 Yours, jln Amateur Florist. iGladiolus ganda- 

 vensis is worthy of our correspondent's commen- 

 dations. We received a dozen bulbs last season 

 from Mr. Van Houtte, of Ghent, which bloomed 

 superbly in our garden for six weeks, and were 

 greatly admired by all who saw them. Ed.] 



Burnt Sods. — Dear Sir: I agree with you 

 fully in the excellent effects of burnt turf for enrich- 

 ing borders for roses. I prepared a wagon load 

 last spring, and used it plentifully, taking away 

 the top soil about my established plants, and found 

 it to add greatly to the verdure of their foliage 



