a number of short lengths of beech or hardwood horizontally across a similar num- 
ber of perpendicular pieces to form a sort of lattice or grating. The raft is cov- 
ered with fibre or peat with a little green sphagnum moss, the orchid being fast- 
ened thereon with copper wire. Blocks (E.5) are pieces of hardwood of suitable 
length and width (usually about 12 inches by § inches is satisfactory), or of 
palmwood or tree fern trunk, to which the plant is bound with copper wire. 
When hardwood is used, a little fibre should be fastened to the surface to make it 
easy for the young roots to obtain a grip. Where tree fern is used, the basal part 
of the trunk, which is covered with thick, fibrous growth, should be used. Where 
the roots of the orchid are scanty or weak, a little sphagnum between the plant 
and the block will encourage quick root growth. Where the roots are plentiful 
and vigorous, however, this is not necessary. 
COMPOST. 
Almost any vegetable fibrous substance will serve as a compost for Dendrobiwms, 
but the best media are staghorn peat, polypodium fibre, todea fibre, osmunda 
fibre and cocoanut fibre. For the hardy types, peat seems to be most suitable, 
but for orchids which need extra heavy watering I find osmunda more satis- 
factory. The delicate types of Dendrobes seem to do best in a compound made 
by chopping up finely two parts of osmunda, two parts of peat or todea, and one 
part of good fresh sphagnum moss, and mixing these items thoroughly. Even 
fresh cocoanut fibre (not the dried out fibre used in upholstering), is an ex- 
cellent substitute for both todea and peat, and I have also found polypodium fibre 
quite a good potting medium for delicate Dendrobiums. For the guidance of 
readers I will suggest a compost for each Dendrobium dealt with in the table, and 
will indicate it as follows:— 
(ea) Staghorn peat. (ec) Todea. 
(eb) Osmunda fibre. (ed) Mixed compost, as set out above. 
Before leaving the subject of potting and compost I would like to mention a 
method used by Mr. W. H. R. Burnett, of Maleny (Q’Id.), and others, which has 
much to recommend it. Mr. Burnett uses baskets for his Dendrobiums, and in 
the centre of each of them he erects a stout length of green beech with the bark 
attached. This stake is about 1} to 2 inches in diameter, and is fixed to the bot- 
tom of the basket with a two inch screw. The bottom of the basket is then 
lined with a layer of wood-charcoal on top of which a compost of fibre and moss 
is firmly packed and the surface of the compost covered with a layer of green moss. 
The Dendrobium is then secured to the beech-stake with rattan. The compost 
is kept damp at all times. This is an excellent combination of the block and 
basket methods. The plant soon sends out its new roots which grip the thick 
bark of the stake (this bark will remain about five years on the wood). The 
constant damping of the compost results in ample moisture-laden air circulating 
about the plant’s roots, some of which will grow down the stake into the compost. 
While beech is admirably suited for this method, probably tea-tree or any 
other thick barked tree which holds its bark for a lengthy period, would suit as 
well where beech is not available. 
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