TREATMENT OF FRESH-IMPORTED PLANTS. 7 



should be placed a layer of moss at the bottom of the basket, 

 then a few potsherds, then fill up with moss and potsherds 

 mixed. Take the plants carefully out of the old basket 

 without breaking the roots, shake off all the old moss, place 

 the plant on the new material, about level with the top of 

 the basket ; put a stick in the centre, to keep it firm, and 

 finish by giving a gentle watering. 



Those plants that require wood to grow upon should have 

 live moss attached to the blocks, if by experience they are found 

 to require it ; some, however, do better on bare blocks, but 

 they need more moisture, as they are then entirely dependent 

 on what is obtained from the atmosphere. In fastening 

 them firmly on the blocks, have some copper nails and drive 

 them into the block : then, with copper wire, secure the 

 plants firmly to the wood. As soon as they make fresh roots 

 they will cling to the block, and the wire may be taken 

 away. 



Material for Terrestrial Orchids. 



These require a stronger compost than epiphytal kinds. 

 They should be potted just when they begin to grow, after 

 the resting season ; they do not need so much drainage as 

 epiphytes. The compost I use for them is turfy loam 

 chopped into pieces about the size of a walnut, leaf-mould or 

 peat, and a little rotten cow or horse-dung ; these should be 

 all mixed well together. The plants require a good-sized 

 pot ; put about two inches of drainage at the bottom, on that 

 a layer of moss, then some rough peat, and finish with the 

 compost just mentioned ; place the plant one inch below the 

 rim of the pot ; water sparingly at first, but when the young 

 growths are about six inches high, they may have a good 

 supply. 



Treatment of Fresh-imported Plants. 



When unpacked these should be sponged over every leaf 

 and bulb and all the old decayed parts removed. There 



