

OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 77 



fact of the lower two being joined or grown together, and even so 

 combined they are somewhat less than the tipper sepal. The 

 division may be observed at the tips, though in some speci- 

 mens it is microscopic in the one now by me it is hardly the 

 eighth of an inch. Two petals ; these are cross-form in relation 

 to the sepals, of the same colour, and a little longer about 2in. 

 narrow, drooping, pointed, and slightly twisted when a few days 

 old; lip, "blown out like a slipper," shorter than the sepals, 

 compressed, richly veined, and lemon yellow. The seed organs 

 are curious, the stigma being foot-stalked, peltate, and placed 

 between and above the anthers. The leaves are pale green, very 

 hairy, many-ribbed, stem-clasping, alternate, ovate, and slightly 

 wavy ; the lower ones are 5in. or Gin. long and 2in. to Sin. wide, 

 and pointed. The root is creeping, the fibres stout, long, wiry, 

 and bent. During spring the plant makes rapid growth, and 

 seldom bears more than one flower ; for the first time a plant 

 produced two with me in 1882. They are sweetly scented, like 

 the primrose. 



Many amateurs, who have otherwise proved their knowledge 

 of the requirements of plants by growing large and choice collec- 

 tions, have failed to establish this after many trials ; and were it 

 not for the fact that with me it is growing in various positions 

 and under different modes of treatment, and that it has so grown 

 for several years, I think I should not have ventured to give 

 hints to experienced horticulturists. In my opinion, four con- 

 ditions are strictly necessary in order to establish this native 

 orchid in our garden : (1) A strong specimen with a goodly 

 portion of the rhizoma attached; (2) Firm or solid planting 

 during autumn ; (3) Moist situation ; (4) Shade from the mid-day 

 sun. Further information may be best given by stating the 

 modus operandi : Several years ago a number of good roots were 

 planted in sandy loam of a calcareous nature. They were put 

 in somewhat deeply, the roots carefully spread out, and the soil 

 made solid by repeated waterings, the position being shaded by 

 an apple tree. They are now well established, and only receive 

 a top dressing of leaves and manure to keep them cool and moist 

 in summer. At the same time a number were potted deeply in 

 loam, peat, and broken oyster shells ; when filling in the compost, 

 it, too, was washed to the roots, so as to make all solid by fre- 

 quent applications ; the pots have always been kept in cool and 

 shady quarters, and plunged ; they bloom well every season. I 

 have likewise found another plan to answer well. In a moist 

 corner make up a low-lying bed of sand and peat, mostly sand, 

 plant 9in. deep, and make all solid, as before, by water. When 

 the growths appear on the surface, water with weak liquid 

 manure, and if shade does not exist from the mid-day sun, some 

 should be provided ; in this way I am now growing my finest 

 specimens ; but if once the roots become dry, the plants will 



