A FEW HINTS ON ORCHIDS. 29 



ber water more sparingly. From December to March give none at all. 

 This fine plant is by no means rare. We have seen it in collections in this 

 country, but do not know of its being yet on sale. Fine flowering plants 

 may be imported from England, at the moderate price of six to eight 

 dollars. 



Dendrobium speciosum. A fine species, with large creamy-white flow- 

 ers, having the lip beautifully spotted with crimson. The great mistake in 

 growing this plant is keeping it too hot. It is a native of New Holland, 

 where the air is much drier and 'cooler than in the tropical regions, where 

 orchids are usually found. It should be grown in a cool house, where the 

 temperature is between the greenhouse and the stove, that is, varying from 

 45° to 55° in winter, and from 55° to 65° in summer. Like all Dendrobiums 

 it must have a season of rest to bloom well. Small plants may be obtained 

 for two or three dollars ; larger plants always command a high price. 



Coelogyne cristata. A most lovely plant. Pot in a mixture of rough 

 fibrous peat and half-decayed leaves and sand. Drain them well, and place 

 them in the coolest part of the East Indian house. They generally bloom 

 about February, and should be potted just when they begin to grow. 



C. Wallichiana, C. precox and C. maculata form a distinct group, some- 

 times called Pleiones. They form curious greenish spotted bulbs. Pot 

 them in loamy peat, leaf mould and sand, and grow them on a shelf, near 

 the glass. The flowers appear before the leaves, and are very beautiful. 

 The young shoots succeed the Jlowers out of the same sheath. As a general 

 rule, get the leaves as large and healthy as possible, to secure fine flowers. 

 This class does not require large pots. 



We had a very pretty little plant of C. Wallichiana on exhibition at the 

 Society's Hall this autumn. 



Plants of Coelogyne cristata command about ten dollars each ; of C. Wal- 

 lichiana, two to five dollars. C. Gardneriana is a fine species we have not 

 yet seen. There are many fine species, all of which are well worth grow- 

 ing. 



Barkerias should all be grown on blocks, without moss, in a temperature 

 not exceeding 65°, and in winter the thermometer may be allowed to fall to 

 40°. Give plenty of air ; syringe frequently while growing — but only 

 once a month when at rest. There are many varieties. 



B. elegans. The first introduced and finest was lost to cultivation, but 

 can now, we believe, be obtained in England. 



Barkeria spectabilis. A beautiful variety. Flower three inches across ; 

 color bright lilac, labellum white, with lilac edges and point. Plants may 

 be obtained for about six dollars. 



Barkeria Skinneri has disappointed us. From the description we had 

 expected a beautiful plant ; the flowers with us were small, of a pretty 

 rosy pink color. We trust to do better when our plant is larger. In bloom 

 about the end of summer. Plants may be obtained for about five dollars. 



Anoectochilus setaceus. A lovely orchid, with variegated leaves, a na- 

 tive of Ceylon. The flowers have little beauty. The ground color of the 

 leaves is a dark velvety green, tinged with a metallic lustre, inlaid with 



