20 orchid-grower's manual. 



walnut, leaf mould or peat, and a little rotten cow or horse- 

 dung ; these should be all mixed well together. The plants 

 require good- sized pots ; put about two inches of drainage at 

 the bottom, on that a layer of moss, then some rough peat, 

 and finish with the compost just mentioned, on which place 

 the plant so as to be about an inch below the rim of the pot, 

 and then fill in with the compost. Water sparingly at first, 

 but by the time the j'^oung growths are some six inches high 

 they may have a good supply. 



MODE OF PKODUCING BACK GROWTHS. 



HEBE are many of our Orchids that grow on year 

 after year, and yet produce only one flowering bulb 

 annually ; but some of the kinds, if the plants are 

 cut, will produce back shoots or breaks, increasing the 

 number of blooming growths, and thus soon make fine speci- 

 mens. This is the way to produce such plants as are seen 

 every j^ear at the London and provincial exhibitions. Some 

 plants, such as Cattleyas, may be more readily treated in this 

 way than others. The operation is performed in this way : — 

 Take a plant that has back bulbs, some three or four it may 

 be ; cut the plant in two between the bulbs, not otherwise 

 disturbing it, but let the bulbs remain in the same place. 

 The best time to cut all Orchids is during their season of 

 rest, or just as they are beginning to grow. All other Orchids 

 that have pseudobulbs may be treated in the same way, if it 

 be desirable to increase them ; but bear in mind that no 

 Orchid should be cut except when in vigorous health. 



