ORCHID. 



Fa;. 1213. 

 The orchid shown in the accompany- 

 ing illustration, is Stanhopia oculata, a 



native of Mexico, sent to F. Wiley, Esij 

 Paris, and grown by him in his censer 

 vatory. It is a novelty easily grown, 

 and blooms three times a year. In de- 

 tail it is beautiful beyondcomprehension. 

 There are two or three flower spikes, one 

 proceeding from near the centre of the 

 base of the hanging basket, the other 

 pushing its way as seen from the front. 

 Each spike has eight fully open blooins, 

 which reminds the writer of old fash- 

 ioned ornaments and carvings seen in 

 the British museum. The pistils and 

 stamens are located in the bent, and 

 pointed pendant section of the bloom ; 

 two of them are seen, one directly above 

 the other to the right. Three new flower 

 spikes are showing themselves. The 

 flowers are too large for Mr. Chamber- 

 lain ; only a Welsh jesthetic would care 

 for them in his buttonhole. 



This lovely specimen attracted the 

 attention of hundreds while hanging in 

 the window of the drug store of the Sec- 

 retary of the I'aiis Horticultural Society, 

 and many had to be told that it was 

 rea ly a natural flower. — (j. R., Paris. 



The Cllture of Ferns. — It is bet- 

 ter to begin with young plants. Be care- 

 ful not to over-pot them ; wash the in- 

 side of the pots clean, and give especially 

 good drainage ; use open, rich, fibrous 

 soil, light rather than heavy, and instead 

 of filling tlje pot with soil to the brim 

 leave plenty of room to hold water. 

 Ferns should never get quite dry at the 

 root, yet it will not do to keep them 

 soaking wet. Many of them, especially 



the maiden-hair and gold and silver ferns 

 dislike being splashed overhead, and hot 

 sunshine must never fall directly upon 

 these delicate kinds. Ferns are sure to 

 be killed by little dribblings of water 

 given every day. The same rule that 

 applies to watering other plants is good 

 with ferns : When the top of the soil 

 looks dry fill the pot with water to the 

 brim, so that the ball of soil may have ? 

 thorough soaking. — Vick's Magazine. 



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