orchids: how to (JUOW JIIKM Sl'CfESSl-TLLY. l.> 



using pots siiificiontly largo for the plants, and allowing an inch 

 from the heading growth to tho lini of the pot. In i)otting. the 

 l)lants neod not be elevated very high above the liiii, or trmiblc 

 may bo oxpon(!UC(ul in making tho plant soouro, which must bo 

 (lono ; othorwiso, if h>it in a loose and unstable; condition, tho 

 phmts aro unable to become quickly ro-ostablished and cou- 

 s(!quently dwindle. Small neat sticks should be used for this 

 l)urpose, to keep the plants firmly in their places until they become 

 self-supporting masses. The compost, after repotting, should bo 

 carefully watered, keeping it just moist only until the new roots 

 appear and got hold of the compost, then more water may b** 

 given. Drought at the roots is not conducive to good growth, but 

 it is safer to err^ on that side than to give too much water. Tho 

 temperature really most suitable for a collection of Masdovallias 

 is one a few degrees higher than that advised, later on, for tho 

 Odontoglossum house. 



The si)ecies, M. Hanyana, is named after Mr. Harry Voitch, 

 the head of the great Chelsea firm of niirseiymen, and the vaiieties 

 oi this species are veiy numerous and beautifid, and a great 

 diversity of colour exists. There is in existence, a pure white form, 

 and the darkest colour known is the Bull's Blood variety, while 

 M. Harryana armenaca is a lovely orange colour ; such varieties 

 as these are very expensive, but the t;v'pical forms arc verj' cheap. 



The time of flowering for MasdevalKas is generally from 

 March to July, but a few are to be had in bloom the whole year 

 round, the repotting peiiod being from Jidy to September. 



ARTIFICIAL HEATIXG. 



Heating by hot water is a most important matter, and, of 

 course, the more perfect the arrangements the better can tho 

 desired degree of warmth be maintained. When this work is 

 entiiisted to a hot- water engineer, it is usually properly fitted and 

 loft in good working order ; but it sometimes happens that when a 

 house is to be used for a class of plants it was not built for, and 

 there is a probability that there may bo an insufficiency of warmth, 

 it becomes necessary to examine tho heating power of the boiler 

 and pipes in order to find out the defects in any part. Many 

 kinds of boilers are in use ; but whatever description of boiler maj' 

 be decided upon, care shoidd be taken that it is of sufficient size to 

 heat whatever length of piping is attached to it, so that in hard 



