212 ORCHID- grower's manual. 



roots being required during the growing season — in fact, they 

 never should be allowed to get dry at the roots. It is a 

 good plan to have some live sphagnum moss growing on the 

 top of the soil, as it keeps a nice wholesome moisture about 

 them, which they seem to delight in. The demand for these 

 plants has become very great of late, and I do not wonder at 

 it, for they are a lovely class, and can be grown in a cool-house 

 at a less expense than the East Indian Orchids, besides being 

 productive of more enjoyment to lady cultivators. Many of 

 them are truly beautiful, and continue a long time in perfec- 

 tion. It is much to be regretted they are so difficult to 

 import : many hundreds of plants die before reaching this 

 country. I have opened many boxes of these valuable 

 plants, in which all have been dead, and many also which 

 have arrived in excellent condition. We are indebted to the 

 Messrs. Low, O'Reilly, and others, for introducing many of 

 our finest species ; and I live in hopes of seeing many more 

 of them added to our stores. These plants are propagated by 

 dividing the bulbs just as they begin to grow. Care must be 

 taken to keep them from the burning sun, as the foliage of 

 some of the kinds is very tender. Tobacco smoke is also 

 very detrimental to many of the Odontoglossums, by spoiling 

 their leaves. The best way to keep them free from insects 

 — a thing which is very important — is to wash carefully with 

 clear water. 



0. Alexandra. — A charming addition to oui" collections, 

 which varies very much in its markings ; but I believe the 

 form which originally received this name was pure white, with 

 bright golden spots on the lip. It is a graceful plant, produc- 

 ing its lovely spikes of bloom freely when kept quite cool. 

 There are many varieties of this beautiful plant, some much 

 finer and larger than others ; but I have not seen a single bad 

 one. The finest that has come under my notice flowered with 



