ORC 



409 



ORC 



is filled three parts full of potsherds ! to shine powerfully upon plants that 

 and the remainder with close peat, have just left their winter quarters. In 

 fastened down with pegs of wood. I j order to secure as much light as possi- 

 prefer close peat for this genus, as I \ ble, many species should be suspended 

 have found it do better than in lighter in the air from rafters or chains, some 

 or more fibrous peat. being placed on blocks of wood, (cork- 



" The plant so potted is then placed wood is the best,) or fragments of co- 

 in the Orchidaceous house, tempera- coa-nut husks, and others in baskets of 

 ture ranging from sixty to seventy de- wire or wicker work filled with moss 

 grees, the atmosphere moist, the plant an<l broken peat, or in pots with pierced 

 kept moist and more liberally supplied sides. The latter answer perfectly for 

 with water as it advances in growth. plants (e. g. the Saccolabiums) which 



" When it has completed its growth, are of slow growth, and thrust their 

 it is removed to the plant-stove where roots into the air. Baskets answer best 

 the temperature is from fifty to sixty for Stanhopeas and the like. To pre- 

 degrees, and water is given sparingly, vent injury from the ravs of the sun, 



but the plant is never allowed to be 

 come quite dry. It there remains un- 

 til it again commences growth, when 

 it undergoes the same routine as be- 

 fore." 



Compost. — The best we have noticed 



shading is of course necessary ; but this 

 should be so arranged as to be easily 

 removed, as it ought not to be con- 

 tinued for more than ten or twelve 

 hours on the very longest summer's 

 day. Exotic climbing plants introduced 



good effect. 



"2d. Take care of the roots. On 



is this recommended by Mr. T. Apple- sparingly are advantageous, and have a 



by:- ■ - 



" Procure a quantity of sphagnum or 

 common bog moss, have it dried and the health of the roots everything de- 

 then chopped small. To this add half- pends. The winter is with them the 

 rotten willow or poplar wood, on ac- most critical season, for if suffered to 

 count of their lightness and the absence grow too dry, they shrivel up and per- 

 of resin, chopped into small pieces of ish, if too wet they rot. Much of course 

 various sizes, the largest not bigger depends upon the mode in which the 

 than pigeons' eggs. To these add the plants are potted, and which should be 

 under stratum of sphagnum, which has such as to admit of their readily parting 

 become almost peat, likewise chopped with all superfluous moisture, and to se- 

 fine, the whole in about equal parts. | cure this, nothing is better than a plen- 



" These make altogether a light open titui admixture of broken pots-herds, 



compost, which appears admirably to High potting is now so generally prac- 



suit the plants, as they root in it freely i tised in good collections, that it is need- 



and thrive ; I use it chiefly for the spe- less to insist upon its importance, 



cies that grow upon trees. For such " Rapidly growing plants, such as the 



as grow upon the ground, I use stronger different species of Phains, Gongora, 



compost." — Gard. Chron. 



Peristerice, Stanhopea, &c., require to 



Culture. — The following general sug- be broken up and entirely repotted 



gcstions are from Mr. Bateman's most every second or third year; on the 



valuable work on the Orchidaceae of other hand, there are some air plants, 



Mexico and Guatemala : — &c., that may remain undisturbed for 



" Supposing the plants established in five or ten years together. 



a suitable house, then the following 3d. Beware of noxious insects. Or- 



rules will be found to contain all that cbidaceae are more particularly exposed 



is most essential for their successful to the attacks of the following insects : 

 management. I woodlice, crickets, and cockroaches, 



" 1st. The plants can scarcely have the thrip, a minute woolly white scale, 



too much light or too little sun. Light and a diminutive species of snail, the 



prevents mildew, strengthens the fibre, two last being infinitely the most per- 



and checks the disposition to throw uo nicious. Woodlice are easily kept in 



a succession of weakly shoots, which check by placing the plants on saucers, 



are quite incompatible with the produc- or within troughs filled with water, es- 



tion of flowers. The sun, on the con- pecially if the valuable aid of a few 



trary, scorches and turns the leaves toads be called in. The Oniscampitre 



yellow, especially when it first begins Epiphyte Stand, invented by Mr. Lyons, 



