\'i"2 glenny's handbook 



compost equal parts of loam and turfy peat made ratlier 

 sandy, and putting in the bottom of the pots broken crocks 

 an inch in depth for drainage ; water them, and place them 

 again in the dung-bed near the glass. When they fill the 

 pots with roots they must be changed to five-inch pots, and 

 returned to the dung- bed, which will decline in heat below as 

 the summer advances, but will still preserve a moist warmth, 

 which is very congenial to these plants. They must be shaded 

 from the violent heat of the sun. If there should be sudden 

 diminution of heat and unhealthy change in the bed, the 

 plants are very likely to be attacked with the red spider or 

 some other pest ; but if the heat be kept regular and moist, 

 and the plants are not neglected, there will be healthy growth 

 and rapid progress. As summer advances they may have a 

 good deal more air, particularly while the sun is out ; but great 

 attention must be paid to watering, a little neglect of which 

 would be mischievous. The pots must be changed for larger 

 as the roots become numerous. In September the plants 

 must be removed to a warm part of the greenhouse, or to an 

 intermediate house, and kept rather dry and at rest during 

 winter. As early in the year as may be required they may 

 be again placed in a hotbed, or in a moist warm house, and 

 will soon show their beautiful white blooms. When they 

 begin to open the plants should be removed to the con- 

 servatory, greenhouse, or dwelling-house, that their fragrance 

 may be enjoyed. After the bloom is over the plants may be 

 put for a short time in the greenhouse to rest ; but as soon 

 as they begin to grow, and as early as practicable, prune them, 

 reduce the soil and roots somewhat, repot them, and start 

 them again into rapid growth in the hotbed, for that is the 

 best climate for them, and next to it the moist atmosphere of 

 an orchid house. All the varieties are pretty, but G. radicans 

 and G. Jiorida are the favourites. The most vigorous young 

 shoots may be topped once when about two joints long, to 

 cause the production of a greater number of shoots, and con- 

 sequently of blooms, which should come at the points of nearly 

 all the shoots. G. Jiorida and its varieties, Fortuni and intei- 

 media, are larger-growing and fiuer plants, and require the 

 same treatment. The double-tlowered varieties of both species 

 are to be preferred. 



