30 oechid-gkower's manual. 



the Lycaste, and two plants of Barkeria Skinneri, both in full 

 bloom. Having been absent (with the exception of three days 

 in January) since, I have had no control over them, but my 

 sister followed the same plan as at Hillingdon, only with the 

 Barkerias, which are attached to blocks, dipping the whole 

 block into water for a few minutes every four or five days, 

 according as we have much or little sun ; and as the plants are 

 now before me, I give you their condition. One of the Bar- 

 kerias is as perfect as the day I brought it here ; the other has 

 all gone off within the last few days. One Lycaste is perfect, 

 and as beautiful as the day I brought it here ; the other has 

 lost one flower, I fear, by some accident, the other flower still 

 good, but evidently a little ' shady ; ' this plant has two flower 

 stems coming on, and would bloom in a fortnight if we pushed 

 them by more moisture. I expect frost has got on it after 

 watering, for it stands close to the window in the drawing- 

 room, and this room, though smaller, is similarly treated to the 

 one at Hillingdon — fires in the afternoon and evenings, with a 

 southern aspect. "What a treat to me is this, and I think you 

 should know it, for people have said — ' I love Orchids, but 

 hate the stew-pans one has to view them in.' 



*' It is clear that for Ly castes and Barkerias * stew-pans' 

 may be dispensed with. Plenty of Orchids like these are to 

 be found in our gardens, brought from the Highlands of 

 Mexico and from Central America. It is also probable that 

 mountain species of India, such as the delicious CxlogyneSy 

 will thrive under the same treatment, and, if so, one more class 

 of enjoyments is provided for the lovers of flowers. 



" Surely this is news worth telegraphing through the whole 

 horticultural world ! What a charm for a sick-room ! What 

 a pet for the poor invahd who has nothing to love except her 

 flowers ! Imagine the pleasure of watching the buds as they 

 form, visibly enlarging from day to day, until they reach the 



