238 President's Address. 



quickly by post, some remarkable crosses might be effected. 

 Such species as N. Lowii, N. liajah, N. ecldnodoma, JV. 

 Edwardsiana, and others from very high altitudes, the condi- 

 tions for the successful culture of which are so difficult to 

 imitate, might in this way be brought into cultivation, and 

 a great boon would thus be conferred on botanists and 

 horticulturists. 



Seeds of NcrpentJies soon lose their germinating properties, 

 and should, therefore, be sown as early as possible after 

 ripening. This period may be known by the splitting of 

 the capsules. A single capsule contains several hundred 

 seeds. These are thin and light, about half an inch long, 

 tapering at both ends, and invested with a loose coating of 

 brown fibre. In raising seedlings, Hat pots are filled one half 

 with drainage, the other half with a compost of peat and 

 sphagnum chopped very fine, to which is added a little silver 

 sand and charcoal. This soil is then watered, and the seeds 

 are sown on its surface, and the merest sprinkling of the 

 finest portion of the soil put on the top. The pot is then 

 covered with a bell glass, and placed in a close warm case 

 until germination occurs. This usually takes place in about 

 six weeks' time. When the young plants are fit to handle, 

 they are put into small pots covered by a bell jar, which, in 

 course of time, is removed, and the seedlings are gradually 

 inured to the ordinary treatment given to older plants. 

 The first leaves produced on plants of Nepenthes, after the 

 cotyledons, are small winged pitchers, having a spur-like lid. 

 A succession of these is produced before a lamina becomes 

 apparent on the young leaves, and their development is most 

 interesting. Regarding the cultivation of pitcher-plants 

 generally, I may say a few words without entering very 

 minutely into details. To produce good results, a very moist 

 temperature is necessary. If it average 65" in winter and 

 75° in summer this will suit most of the species. 



A free open compost is required for the roots, consisting 

 of rough fibrous peat and sphagnum with a little silver sand 

 and charcoal well mixed. Good drainage is needed, owing to 

 the large amount of water required by the plants. Pots or 

 baskets of small size in comparison with that of the plants 

 are to be preferred. The plants should be placed near to the 

 glass. Some shading will be necessary in summer, but it 



