AND COIS'SERVATOET. 



223 



The most useful of all the cool orchids are the Cattleyas, 

 Lycastes, Oncidiums, and Cypripediums. The last genus sup- 

 plies the most famous, because most useful, of all kuowu varie- 

 ties of greenhouse orchids, and the beautiful C. innigne, or 

 lady's slipper. This is a most accommodating plant, for 

 it will grow grandly in the stove, and flower there all the 



CYPEIPEDIUM INSiaNE. 



winter through, but it will also thrive in a snug greenhouse, 

 and may be nicely grown in a fern case in the parlour, and, 

 indeed, in skilful hands, it becoms a first-rate plant. 



To grow a fine specimen, half fill the pots with large pot- 

 sherds, over these place a layer of moss, and fill up with a mix- 

 ture of mellow turfy loam or tough peat, with a fourth part of 



