212 THE FLOKAL WOULD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



growing sorts, are easily propngated. This is effected by bending 

 the old pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in which they are 

 growing, or by cutting the old flowering bulbs away from the plant, 

 and laying them on some damp moss in a shady and warm part 

 of the house, with a good supply of moisture. After they break and 

 make roots, they may be potted, or put in baskets. Such as D. 

 Jenkinsii, D. aggregatum, D. formosurn, D. speciosum, D. densi- 

 florum, and similar growing sorts, are increased by dividing the 

 plants. Aerides, Vandas, AngraBcums, Saccolabiums, Camarotis, 

 Eenantheras, and similar growing sorts, are all propagated by cutting 

 the tops off the plants just below the first root, or by taking the 

 young growths from the bottom of the piants. After they have 

 formed roots, they should be cut oil with a sharp knife, and after- 

 wards put on blocks or in baskets, witli some sphagnum, and kept 

 in a warm and damp part of the house, without receiving much 

 water, till they have begun to grow, when they may have a good 

 supply. Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, Zygopetalums, Sobraliaa, 

 Trichopilias, Stanhopeas, Schomburghias, Persisterias, Mormodes, 

 Miltonias, Ly castes, Leptotes, Lxelias, Galeandras, Epidendrums, 

 Cyrtopodiums, Cyrtochilums, Cymbidiums, Cyanoches, Coryanthea, 

 Cselogyne, Cattleyas, CalantheSj Brassias, Bletias, Barkeriaa,Aspasias, 

 are all propagated by dividing them into pieces, each having a 

 portion of the roots attached to it, and a young bulb on the pseudo- 

 bulb. Phaiua albus is very easily increased. The best way is to 

 cut the old pseudo-bulbs off after the young ones have begun to 

 flower — that is, just before the plant has made its growth. The 

 pseudo-bulbs should be cut into pieces about six inches long, and 

 then put into a pot in some silver sand, with a bell-glass over them, 

 till they have struck root. Tbey should then be potted in some 

 fibrous peat, and should have good drainage, and a good supply of 

 water in the growing season. Some of the Epidendrums readily 

 propagate, such as cinnabarinum and crassifolium ; these will form 

 plants on the tops of the old flower-stalks. They should be left to 

 grow till they have made their growth. They should then be cut 

 off and potted, and they will soon make good plants. Some Den- 

 drobiums will also form plants on the tops of the old pseudo-bulbs, 

 and they should be treated in the same way. 



On the Mode of making Baskets, and the best Wood for that 

 Purpose. — Blocks or baskets are most suitable i'or true air planta, 

 such as Vaudaa, Saccolabiums, Aerides, Angrsecurns, Phalauopsis, 

 etc. When planted in baskets or on blocks, they send out their 

 roota much stronger into the air, and suck up the moisture; whereas, 

 if their roots are covered too much, they are very apt to rot. 



Various materials are used for forming baskets. Some are made 

 of copper wire, which is very durable; but I prefer those made of 

 wood, though they do not last so long. They look better, and are 

 more suitable for the roots of the plants to cling to. The best 

 kind of wood is maple, or hazel, and the best baskets those of a 

 square shape. The wood should be cut into lengths according to 

 the size of baskets required ; but do not make them too large. 

 There are two objections to this — one is that they take up too 



