figured in the London Flor. and Bot. Magazines. 183 



jficient quantity of fibrous, moderately sandy peat, is next selected 

 and placed on the top of the drainage, being first broken into va- 

 rious forms and sizes, but none of them less than a walnut; in 

 placing these, care is taken to dispose of each', so as to leave a 

 passage for the escape of water; this is more efiectually secured 

 by putting in, as the process of potting goes on, a few pieces of 

 broken pots, say between every layer, more or less, according to 

 the size of the plant; indeed I find it an excellent plan to con- 

 tinue a connection of broken pots all the way up the centre to 

 the bottom of the pseudo-bulbs. After the peat becomes lev- 

 el with the pot, the successive external layers are made fast by 

 means of small pegs, varying from four to six inches long, then pegs 

 run through the layers of peat, and thus secure the whole firmly 

 together. At eight inches above the line the plant is placed on 

 the top; the roots are carefully laid out and carried up to the 

 place of the bulbs, very carefully, with smaller pieces of peat and 

 potsherds, continuing to fasten the peat as before described, until 

 the whole is finished, when it will be a foot or fifteen inches from 

 the top: — small plants are not potted so high. When I commence 

 potting a small plant it is not raised more than three or four in- 

 ches at first, but as it grows larger it is progressively raised in 

 building up, as here described, with peat; it does not terminate in 

 the shape of a cone, but is carried up nearly square, being merely 

 rounded a little at the top. Unless the plants are very healthy, 

 but very little water is given at the root, and in winter very little 

 or none, the desideratum in the cultivation of the Orchidaceae be- 

 ing to preserve the roots, which, germinating especially in winter, 

 are almost sure to be destroyed." 



The after management is simply to keep the temperature of the 

 house at from 60° to 85° in winter, and from 70° to 100° in summer, 

 and the air during the growing should be kept constantly moist by 

 repeated sprinklings of water upon the paths and flues of the house; 

 in the winter season they are kept rather dry. The following 

 brief notes should be carefully observed by all who cultivate the 

 terrestrial species, in applying the four great elements of vegeta- 

 ble life, viz. air, light, heat and water: — 



Jlir. — Terrestrial Orchidaceae should never have a great vol- 

 ume of external air admitted at once, however fine the weather 

 may be; to prevent the house becoming too hot, a thick canvass 

 shading should be covered over it during sunshine. 



Light. — The best aspect for an orchidaceoushouse is due South, 

 and the house should be made to admit as much light as possible. 

 In summer a thick canvass is always put on the house, to prevent 

 the bright sun from damaging the plants. In winter every ray of 

 light is advantageous to the plants. 



Heat. — During the growing season Orchidaceae require a mod- 

 erately moist heat, varying from 65° to 85° degrees; in the dor- 



