THE MOST USEFUL ORCHIDS ^^ 



of great beauty ; B.-l. Thwaitesii {B. Digbyana x L. grandi- 

 ford) ; and B.-L. Westfieldiensis {B. glauca x L. fiava), a bright 

 hybrid with medium sized flowers. 



CALANTHE 



In most gardens of any size, where there is a house kept at 

 stove temperature, it is usual to find a batch of deciduous Calanthes 

 grown for purely decorative purposes. The tall, graceful spikes 

 produced by the C. vestita and C. Veitchii groups are invaluable 

 where there is need for many flowers during November and 

 December. These Calanthes may be successfully treated in much 

 the same way as deciduous bulbous plants that require a high 

 temperature. They have long, thick pseudo-bulbs of annual 

 growth and duration, and need every possible encouragement when 

 growing freely, while, after they have flowered, a long season of 

 rest is necessary, and during this time a warm light position, such 

 as a shelf in a stove, and an entire absence of water, should be 

 secured for them. A compost of fibrous loam, leaf soil, and old, 

 dried cow-manure in equal proportions, with the addition of silver 

 sand, is suitable in districts far removed from towns and factories ; 

 but where there is subdued light, especially during the duller 

 months of the year, Calanthes are not so easily managed, and a 

 fairly light compost, minus the manure, is then advisable. 



All the plants need re-potting in the spring, as soon as the 

 new growths are seen pushing from the base of the old pseudo- 

 bulbs. The pots must be well drained, and when potting is finished 

 the surface of the compost should be at least half an inch below 

 the rim of the pot, to allow room for copious supplies of water. 

 At first, and until new roots have advanced freely, water must be 



