48 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



below the first joint, and so as to have a root attached to each 

 piece. For this purpose strong plants should be selected ; 

 and, in cutting, take care that the bottom piece has two 

 eyes, one to root from, and the other to push into a shoot ; 

 place them in small pots in the material already named. 

 The " bottom," or plant cut, should be put under a bell- 

 glass, or placed in the case, where it will soon throw up a 

 young shoot, which is best left on till well rooted ; then cut 

 it off from the old plant, and treat it like the portion first 

 removed, leaving the old part in the pot, which will throw 

 up again and form another plant from the bottom eye. 



Ancectochili are subject to different kinds of insects ; red 

 spider is very destructive to them, and, if allowed to get 

 ahead, soon spoils the foliage, but if constantly looked after 

 it may be kept in check. Take the plants out of the case, and 

 examine the under sides of the leaves, and rub them over 

 with a sponge. I should not, however, do this except there 

 is necessity for it. Thrips is another enemy which must 

 be kept under in the same way, or by fumigation, taking the 

 glasses off for a short time. Cockroaches, too, should not be 

 allowed to get near them. I have seen great mischief done 

 by them ; they eat the young stems, and must be sought 

 after by candle-light, or lay some Chase's beetle poison in 

 different parts of the house. The latter is sold in boxes, and 

 should be laid down about twice a week till the cockroaches 

 are destroyed. In smoking, be careful not to give too strong 

 a dose. The best way is to give it three times every other 

 night till both thrips and spiders are destroyed. 



Ancectochilus argenteus. A handsome distinct free-growing 

 species, with leaves two and a half inches long, one and a 

 half broad, and having stems four inches in height ; ground 

 colour light green, with well-defined silvery markings. This 

 does not require so much care as some others. I have seen 

 it grown in a warm house without a bell-glass, and with a 

 good supply of water at the roots in a shady place. 



