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CHAPTER XVII. 



THE GENUS BARKERIA. 



This is a beautiful, indeed I may say a lovely 

 genus, a native of the colder parts of Guatemala, 

 and under artificial treatment requires a low 

 temperature compared with many others of this 

 tribe. 



My system of growing them is in baskets made 

 of wire, the depth of them not exceeding four 

 inches ; these I line with long sphagnum, to keep 

 the mould from falling through, which is com- 

 posed of turfy peat and sphagnum well chopped 

 together, and mixed with small potsherds ; if a 

 little rotten wood can be had to place at the bot- 

 tom of the mould, so much the better ; if not, a 

 few large potsherds, to secure a good drainage, 

 as they require a liberal supply of water while 

 growing, provided it does not remain about their 

 roots too long. The plant should be elevated a 

 little, and when completed the surface of the 

 mould should be covered with long sphagnum, 

 and secured down with lead wire. This not 

 only improves the appearance of the plant, but 



