112 orchtd-geowee's manual. 



Tetbury, Gloucestershii-e. It is to be regretted that we do 

 not see this plant so well cultivated as it was some few years 

 ago, for it is a fine object when grown like Mr. Holford's 

 plant. 



Cattleya. 



The species of this popular genus rank among oui' finest 

 Orchids ; they are generally favourites, and there can be little 

 doubt that, as the mode of treatment which they requhe and 

 the ease with which they may be brought to a high state of 

 perfection become better understood, they will be extensively 

 cultivated. In many of them the pseudobulbs are singular and 

 pleasing in form ; and the dark evergreen foliage of the plants 

 when in a healthy condition, together with their compact 

 habit of growth, renders them peculiarly attractive. Some of 

 the sorts have only a single leaf at the top of each pseudobulb ; 

 others, as C. Skinnen and C. intermedia^ have two, and C. 

 granulosa and C. Leopoldii have three. The flowers are 

 large, elegant in form, and scarcely surpassed in their brilliant 

 richness and depth of colour, the most frequent tints of which 

 are violet, rose crimson, white, and purple, with their inter- 

 mediate shades. The flower scape, which is enclosed in a 

 sheath, rises from the top of the bulb, and a single spike some- 

 times contains as many as nine perfect flowers, and I have seen 

 as many as thirty. As soon as the flowering is over, the Cattleyas 

 generally begin to make their growth for the next season ; but 

 some of them, such as C WalJceriana, C. violacea, C. superha, 

 and several others, flower while making their growth. With 

 the exception of C. Walkeriana, C. marginata, and C. citrina, 

 which grow best on blocks with a small quantity of moss, 

 I have found Cattleyas thrive best in pots. If the 

 accommodation is limited, all the kinds may be grown on 

 blocks, but they will require more attention, and seldom thrive 



