DisA. 287 



of easy culture. The following, some of which I have seen 

 growing, though not flowering, are well worthy of attention, 

 being very pretty and interesting subjects for the cool-house : — 

 D. cernua, flowers green and yellow ; D. chnjsostachya, golden 

 yellow ; D. cornuta, purple and white ; D. draconis, white and 

 dark blue ; D. gramiyiifolia, azure ; D. lacera, white ; D. longi- 

 cornis, blue ; D. macrantha, large, white, and sweet-scented ; 

 D. maculata, spotted blue ; D. melaleuca, brown and white ; 

 D, patens, yellow ; D. prasinata, green and reddish purple ; 

 D. racemosa, purple ; D. rufescens, purple ; D. spathulata, 

 pale blue ; D. tenuifolia, yellow. Many more species might 

 be named ; but enough has been said, I think, to show that 

 we have a rich stock of novelties in store yet. 



The best mode of treatment to be adopted for these 

 plants is to pot them in shallow pans, in some good fibrous 

 peat in a rather rough state, with a little silver sand, well- 

 rotted manure, and live sphagnum moss added to it. They 

 require a liberal supply of water dui*ing the growing and 

 flowering season. During the time they are making vigorous 

 growth, they may be syringed twice a day, or even oftener. 

 This is far better than using a watering-pot, as it serves the 

 purpose of a shower of rain, and helps to keep the red spider 

 from the leaves — an insect which is very injurious to these 

 plants. The plants rest after the flowering season is over, and 

 during this time less moisture is required. It is a good plan, 

 after the growing and flowering seasons are over, to place the 

 plants in rather a shady part of the garden, and syringe them 

 occasionally — not keeping them too moist — as they may pro- 

 bably perish if allowed to get dry at any time. The most 

 suitable time for potting them is just as they are beginning to 

 make roots, which is usually in the months of January and 

 February. They are easily propagated, as they throw up 

 suckers in abundance. These should be left till well rooted, 



