ORCHIDS AT PRESENT IN CULTIVATION. 35 



folding of the perfect blossom, and then the delight at seeing 

 it some morning, stimulated by even a winter's sun, suddenly 

 throwing back its green cloak and displaying the wondrous 

 beauty of its richly tinted lining. It is almost worth being 

 ill to enjoy such a scene. 



Encouragement like this must surely add new life and 

 vigour to Orchid growing. I hope, therefore, that many 

 may be induced to try their skill ; the great secret is robust 

 growth in summer, when there is plenty of heat in the 

 greenhouses ; but for further instruction, see remarks on the 

 cultivation of the Lycaste (p. 116), and also on the treatment 

 of plants in flower. 



ORCHIDS AT PRESENT IN CULTIVATION. 



In the following brief descriptions of all the best Orchida- 

 ceous plants I have seen, a general account is given of the 

 distinctive features of each genus, which is followed by a more 

 particular description of each species, together with an 

 account of the mode of treatment which, after considerable 

 experience, has been found best adapted to each individual 

 plant. 



ACINETA. 



To this singular genus belongs several species, but only 

 three that I have seen are worth growing. They produce 

 their flowers from the bottom of the basket. They are all 

 evergreen, with short pseudo-bulbs, and leaves about a foot 

 high ; they are of easy culture, and are best grown in 

 baskets with moss and peat. They require a liberal supply of 

 water at the roots during their period of growth, afterwards 

 less will suffice ; they will do in either house suspended 

 from the roof, and all of them are propagated by division. 



A. Barkerii. A curious Orchid from Mexico, producing 



D 2 



