30 ORCHIDS. 
specimens, and usually blossom profusely, thus recommending 
themselves to all who cultivate Orchids. From early 
spring until the end of September they should be watered 
liberally, care at the same time being taken never to wet 
the flowers. During winter less water is needed, both at 
the root and in the atmosphere; but drought should never 
be carried far enough to cause the leaves to shrivel, a fair 
amount of flower, coupled with good leafage, being prefer- 
able to abundance of bloom at the expense of the health 
of the foliage. As we have before remarked, the Aérides 
are peculiar to the Eastern tropics, and therefore are 
usually classed amongst the Orchids which require tropical 
treatment. This is, to some extent, correct; yet they do 
not require the great amount of heat which many imagine, 
and which has until recently been given them. During 
the winter season we have succeeded by keeping many of 
the species at a temperature of 55deg. to 6odeg., whilst 
during the growing season—that is, from April to 
September—the temperature is allowed to run up by sun- 
heat to 85deg. or godeg., so long as a free circulation of 
air and a sufficiency of moisture are secured. Except 
when the sun is powerful, the temperature at this time 
should be 7odeg. to 75deg. by day, and 7odeg. by night. 
A. affine.—This is an elegant species, of dwarf, erect 
habit, with pale green, leathery leaves, measuring about 
ift. in length, toothed at the ends, green, spotted with 
brown. The racemes are usually erect and branched. The 
flowers are pink and white, varying to rose, with deep rose- 
coloured spots; the sepals and petals equal, rounded at the 
apex; the lip is rhomboid and three-lobed, with a short spur 
and deeper colour. It blossoms during May and June. It 
is a native of Sylhet and Nepal, and was introduced in 
1837. Syns. A. multiflorum, A. roseum. 
Warner’s Select Orchids, t. 21. 
