34 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



1861, I brought down to this place two fine plants of the 

 Jjycaste, and two plants of Barkeria Skinneri, both in full 

 bloom. Having been absent (with the exception of three days 

 in January) since, I have had no control over them, but my 

 sister followed the same plan as at Hillingdon, only with the 

 Barkerias, which are attached to blocks, dipping the whole block 

 into water for a few minutes every four or five days, according 

 as we have much or little sun ; and as the plants are now 

 before me, I give you their condition. One of the Barkerias 

 is as perfect as the day I brought it here. The other has all 

 gone off within the last few days. One Lycaste is perfect, and as 

 beautiful as the day I brought it here ; the other has lost one 

 flower, I fear, by some accident, the other flower still good, 

 but evidently a little ' shady j ' this plant has two flower 

 stems coming on, and will bloom in a fortnight if we pushed 

 them by more moisture. I expect frost has got on it after 

 watering, for it stands close to the window in the drawing- 

 room, and this room, though smaller, is similarly treated to 

 the one at Hillingdon fires in the afternoon and evenings, 

 with a southern aspect. What a treat to me is this, and I 

 think you should know it, for people have said ' I love 

 Orchids, but hate the stew-pans one has to view them in.' " 



It is clear that for Lycastes and Barkerias " stew-pans" may 

 be dispensed with. Plenty of Orchids like these are to be 

 found in our gardens, brought from the Nubes or Highlands 

 of Mexico and from Central America. It is also probable 

 that mountain species of India, such as the delicious Coelo- 

 gynes, will thrive under the same treatment, and, if so, one 

 more class of enjoyments is provided for the lovers of 

 flowers. 



Surely this is news worth telegraphing through the whole 

 horticultural world ! What a charm for a sick room ! What 

 a pet for the poor invalid who has nothing to love except her 

 flowers ! Imagine the pleasure of watching the buds as they 

 form, visibly enlarging from day to day, and the slow un- 



