60 



ORCHID-GROWER S MANUAL. 



in baskets, as they produce their flower spikes from the base 

 of the pseudobulbs, and they invariably take a downward 

 direction. The species arc all evergreen, with short pseudo- 

 bulbs, and leaves about a foot high ; of easy culture, and are 

 best grown in baskets with moss and peat. A liberal supply 

 of water at the roots during their period of growth is necessary 

 for their successful culture, afterwards less will suffice. They 

 will all succeed in either the East Indian or Cattleya house, 

 suspended from the roof, and all of them are propagated by 

 division. 



In order that the flowers in this class, as in all others, may 

 be preserved in bloom, care should be taken not to wet them 

 while watering the plants. 



A. Barkeri. — A curious Orchid from Mexico, producing 

 from the bottom of the pseudobulbs spikes about a foot in 

 length, bearing rich yellow flowers, which will last a long 

 time in perfection. It blooms during the summer. 



A. deusa. — A beautiful and distinct species, also from 

 Mexico, with yellow and crimson flowers, which are produced 

 on pendulous spikes from the base of the bulbs, and which 

 will last a long time in perfection. 



A. Humboldtii. — A strong-growing species from La Guayra. 

 Flowers in the same way as A. Barkeri, but about a month 

 earlier ; the long spikes of flowers are of a deep chocolate 

 colour, spotted with crimson. It lasts only a short time in 

 perfection. 



ACROPERA. 



A genus nearly related to Gongora, the species of both being 

 pretty and curious ; the flowers of the one now described are 

 large, and produced in great profusion. The treatment this 

 plant requires is not a cool one, which is the case with many of 

 the genus ; it thrives best in the Cattleya house, grown in a 

 basket with sphagnum moss and turfy peat. 



