76 orchid-growee's manual. 



plants may be repotted once a year, and the end of February 

 or the beginning of March will be found the best time for 

 doing this. The glass or case in which they gi'ow should be 

 kept perfectly clean, in order that they may have plenty of 

 light, but not any sun, which is injui'ious to them. 



They are propagated by cutting the plants into pieces just 

 below the fii'st joint, and so as to have a root attached to each 

 piece. For this purpose strong plants should be selected, 

 and, in cutting, take care that the bottom piece has two eyes, 

 one to root from, and the other to push into a shoot ; place 

 them in small pots in the material already named. The 

 " bottom," or plant which has been cut, should be put 

 under a bell-glass, or placed in the case, where it wdll 

 soon throw up a young shoot, which is best left on till 

 well rooted ; then cut it off from the old plant, and treat 

 it hke the portion fu'st removed, leaving the old part in the 

 pot, which will throw up again, and form another plant from 

 the bottom eye. 



The Anactochili are subject to different kinds of insects ; 

 red spider is very destructive to them, and, if allowed to in- 

 crease, soon spoils the foliage, but if constantly looked after 

 it may be kept in check. Upon the first symptoms of the 

 appearance of this marauder, take the plants out of the case, 

 and examine the under sides of the leaves, and rub them over 

 with a sponge. It is not advisable, however, to do this except 

 there is necessity for it. The thrips is another enemy which 

 must be kept under in the same way, or by fumigation, taking 

 the glasses off for a short time. Cockroaches, too, should 

 not be allowed to get near them, or they will w^ork gi'eat 

 mischief by eating the young stems ; they must be sought 

 after by candle-light, or killed by placing some of Chase's 

 beetle poison in different parts of the house. The latter is 

 sold in boxes, and should be laid down about twice a week till 



