February 19, 1874. 



joubnaij op hoeticultuke and cottage gardener. 



105 



fair results. However, I have three more Peach houses, and 

 will certainly give Mr. Taylor's plan an impartial trial. 



With the latter part of Mr. Taylor's letter respecting thin- 

 ning I altogether disagree. Whether good gardening or not, 

 I always, if possible, play a surer game, and one that has for 

 thirty years served me well — allow plenty of fruit to remain 

 until you see the second swelling commences, and then, but 

 not until then, thin to the proper distance apart. — K. Gilbert, 

 Burghlcy, Stamford. 



[The Peach branch sent by Mr. Gilbert (Feb. lltb), was a 

 foot in length, and had on it twenty Peaches, each the size of 

 a medium pea. — Ens.J 



A CENTUKY OF ORCHIDS FOK AMATEUE 

 GROWERS.— No. -10. 



PLEIONE. 



This, popularly known as Indian Crocus, is a small genus 

 often included in Ccclogyne, but abundantly distinct. Natur- 

 ally the species grow upon the branches of the forest trees, 

 and as they bloom without their leaves, they are said to set 

 the trees all ablaze with their bright-coloured flowers. The 

 fact of their blooming without foliage has caused many to 

 lodge complaints against them, and to assert this completely 

 spoils the effect. Where there's a will there's a way, however ; 

 and as I am of opinion Pleiones never are fully at rest, there 

 is nothing to prevent a few plants of such subjects as Nephro- 

 dium molle and some other erect-growing Ferns being planted 

 in the pots just when the leaves begin to fade, and by the time 

 the flowers expanded the Ferns would compensate for the loss. 



Pleiones should be grown in pots in a mixture of rough peat, 

 sphagnum moss, and old dried cow manure. The pots should 

 be well drained. During the growing season they enjoy an 

 abundant supply of water, and when the leaves begin to 

 change colour water should be withheld to some extent ; but 

 when the flower buds at the base of the pseudobulbs begin to 

 show signs of moving, a little extra water may be given. 





P. Wallichuna. — This species is also known by the name 

 of precox ; it usually flowers from October to December. The 

 blooms are large and very handsome ; sepals and petals deep 

 rosy purple, the lip of the same colour, with the centre white. 

 Native of the Himalayas. 



P. MACULATA. — In habit this plant is similar to the preced- 

 ing, and it blooms at the same season ; sepals and petals pure 

 white ; Up white, beautifully streaked with purpUsh crimson. 

 Native of Assam and Khasia. 



P. LAGENABiA. — Undoubtedly this is the most beautiful of 

 the kinds yet introduced, the habit of growth is like the pre- 

 ceding ; all of them, however, have some sUght differences in 

 the shape of their pseudobulbs. Sepals and petals soft mauve ; 

 lip veined and blotched with rose and brilhant crimson. 

 Native of Nepaul and Khasia. 



P. UUMILI3. — In the shape of the pseudobulbs this is the 

 most distinct of the species here enumerated. Flowers large ; 

 sepals and petals bright warm rose ; lip white, streaked and 

 spotted with crimson. Native of Khasia. 



ODONTOGLOSSUM. 



In the first half of my task I detailed the treatment 



necessary for these plants ; the two species here mentioned, 

 however, have been found to enjoy a little more warmth than 

 most of their relatives. 



0. ciTROSMUM. — The pseudobulbs and leaves of this species 

 are bright shining green in colour ; the spikes are pendulous, 

 bearing numerous pure white flowers ; in some varieties the 

 lip is tinged with soft rose. This species is, perhaps, more 

 correctly named 0. pendulum. It enjoys good exposure to the 

 sunlight. Native of Mexico. 



0. citiosmum. 



0. Phal.enopsis. — A very dwarf-growing and handsome 

 species, producing small pale-coloured pseudobulbs and light 

 green leaves. The spikes has two or three large, flat, and 

 very handsome flowers, which last a long time in perfection ; 

 sepals and petals pure waxy white ; lip white, with a large 

 blotch of purplish crimson extending over the greater portion, 

 but leaving a pure white border. Native of New Grenada. 



TEICHOPILIA. 



With one species of this genus I shall bid adieu to my 

 readers on this subject for the present ; but if the Editors of 

 our Journal will sanction it, I have no doubt there will be 

 something for me to say upon those species and varieties 

 omitted in this enumeration. 



T. cRisPA. — Is at once a dwarf, compact, and handsome 

 plant ; the pseudobulbs are somewhat stout, and bear a single 

 dark green leaf ; the spike has from two to three large 

 flowers of a light reddish crimson, saving the sepals and petals, 

 which are edged with white. It blooms twice in the year, and 

 lasts a long time in beauty. The treatment recommended for 

 Cattleyas suits it admirably. Native of Central America. — 

 Expeeto Ckede. 



THE VALUE OP FUEL.— No. 3. 

 Whatever the medium through which the heat of the fuel 

 is conveyed into the house, it is of the first importance that 

 the extent of surface provided for its diffusion should be 

 ample. In the case of flues it is well to have the part nearest 

 the furnace of double thickness, by which means there is less 

 heat given off at first, and more preserved for the remoter 

 end of the house. It is also very advisable to make the flue 

 area smaller near the furnace, both because the gases must 

 then pass more quickly where they are hottest, and conse- 

 quently have less time to cool, and because there is thus a 

 great security against their escape through the joints or cracks 

 of the brickwork, it being, of course, understood that the 

 chimney through which their final exit is made is of not less 

 internal area than any part of the flue. When this is the ease 



