228 orchid-grower's manual. 



growing season — in fact, they never should be allowed to get 

 dry at the roots. It is a good plan to have some live sphagnum 

 moss growing on the top of the soil, as it keeps a nice whole- 

 some moisture about them, which they seem to delight in. The 

 demand for these plants has become very great of late, and I 

 do not wonder at it, for they are a lovely class, and can be 

 grown in a cool-house at a less expense than the East Indian 

 Orchids, besides being productive of more enjoyment to lady 

 cultivators. Many of them are truly beautiful, and continue 

 a long time in perfection. It is much to be regretted they are 

 so difficult to import : many hundreds of plants die before 

 reaching this country. I have opened many boxes of these 

 valuable plants, in which all have been dead, and many also 

 which have arrived in excellent condition. Some of the species 

 are subject to insects, such as red thrip, etc. ; when any sign 

 of these are seen the plants should be well washed with clean 

 water, for if the plants are allowed to become infested, the 

 foliage will soon be disfigured by the brown marks caused by 

 these insects. We are indebted to the Messrs. Low, O'Reilly, 

 Backhouse, Linden, and others, for introducing many of our 

 finest species, and I live in hopes of seeing many more of 

 them added to our stores. These plants are propagated by 

 dividing the bulbs just as they begin to grow. Shade is very 

 essential to the wellbeing of this class of plants ; some prefer 

 a north house, but a little sun is very beneficial. They 

 require a liberal supply of au' and moisture, great care being 

 iaken to prevent cold drafts. Tobacco smoke is also very 

 detrimental to many of the Odontof/lossums, by spoiling their 

 leaves. 



0. Alexandra. — A charming addition to our collections, 

 which varies very much in its markings ; but I believe the 

 form which originally received this name was pure white, with 

 bright golden spots on the lip. It is a graceful plant, produc- 



