August 20, 187-1. 1 



JOUENAL OF HORTIODLTUEE AND COTTAGE GAEDENKE. 



109 



but such reasons should not be suiBoient to oxpol them from 

 the cool Orchid house. 



Biirkerias should be grown upon pieces of rough wood, or, 

 what is better perhaps, virgin cork, and they should be securely 



fastened with copper wire until they fix themselves by their 

 roots. There must not be any moss or peat used to cover 

 the roots, as I have found they thrive much better without it. 

 The roots are thick and fleshy, and whilst some attauh them- 



Fig. 51.— Baekeria sPECT.VBrLis. 



selves to the wood, others grow straight down, and with their 

 large mouths drink-up ravenously the moisture from the atmo- 

 sphere. It must, therefore, be well remembered by those who 

 would succeed in their cultivation, that they require during 

 the growing season an abundant supply of moisture in the 

 atmosphere, and that although unattractive during the resting 

 time, they must not be neglected, for if allowed to shrivel they 

 will be sure to break weakly, and probably there will be no 

 bloom to gladden the heart of the possessor. The coolest 



house suits them best ; indeed, they will melt away if subjected 

 to great heat; and although they like abundance of air, a 

 densely shaded situation is their delight. 



The species which our figure is intended to represent de- 

 serves a place in every collection however small, whilst those 

 who grow Orchids for exhibition purposes will find a good 

 plant of it by no means a despicable object upon the table or 

 stage when set-up for competition. 



It is an erect-growing species, attaining a height of 9 to 



