56 THE ORCHID-GROWER'S MANUAL. 



ARPOPHYLLUM. 



There are only three plants belonging to this genus with 

 which I am acquainted that are worth growing. All three 

 are of handsome habit, with graceful evergreen foliage, and 

 having beautiful upright spikes of flowers, charmingly ar- 

 ranged, looking not unlike rows of small shells clustering 

 round the spike a foot or more in length. A. giganteum 

 makes a fine exhibition plant, whose colour is distinct from 

 that of most Orchids. All of them require the heat of a 

 Cattleya house, and they are best grown in pots, in peat and 

 good drainage, with a liberal supply of water at the roots 

 when growing. They are propagated by division. 



A. cardinale. A very beautiful species from Guatemala, 

 with dark evergreen foliage. Flowers produced on upright 

 spikes a foot high ; sepals and petals light rose ; lip deep 

 red ; in bloom during the summer months, and lasts three 

 or four weeks in perfection. 



A. giganteum. A magnificent species from Guatemala, and 

 certainly the best of the genus, having dark evergreen 

 foliage and a graceful habit. The flower-spikes, which are 

 produced from the top of the bulbs, grow from about eight 

 inches to a foot high ; the blossoms are beautiful dark purple 

 and rose : they are produced during April and May, and last 

 three weeks in perfection. Previously to being exhibited, 

 this requires to be kept at the coolest end of the house, for 

 it will generally come in too early if not kept back. 



A. spicatum. A pretty evergreen Orchid from Guatemala, 

 with dark red flowers on an upright spike, which con- 

 tinues in beauty three or four weeks during the winter 

 months, 



BAEKERIAS. 



These plants are deciduous, losing their leaves during their 

 season of rest j they are small-growing, but free in producing 



