Odontoglossum 



every virtue supremest loveliness, strong constitu- 

 tion, easy and cheap culture. In especial, to my 

 fancy, their growth in winter is to be commended. 

 January and February are dreary months for the 

 amateur who has no orchid-house. There is work, 

 of course, for the gardener, but not of the sort 

 which interests his employer. Just then, however, 

 the Odontoglots are preparing to bloom. It is a 

 pleasing duty to go round the house, on a dull 

 Sunday morning, and peer into the axils of the 

 leaves; for, if one see there the small green head 

 of the spike pushing upwards, somewhat more water 

 must be given. And then, if it be a new importa- 

 tion, unflowered as yet in Europe, one has weeks 

 of delicious expectancy. 



But even spring-flowering Odontoglots do not 

 necessarily bloom at that season. The spike appears, 

 as has been said, when they are finishing their growth. 

 In the case of 0. crispum (Alexandras), loveliest of 

 all, and some others, that may be, actually, any 

 month in the year. A skilful gardener makes a won- 

 drous show in May and June. Every crispum is in 

 bloom. But I think the amateur who has less skill at 

 command need not envy the display. His own plants, 

 though quite as healthy, have not been so scientifi- 

 cally treated, perhaps ; and thus it may happen that 

 he has some flower every month in the twelve. 



161 M 



