626 oechid-grower's manual. 



feet high, and supporting large downy leaves, with beautiful 

 rose and white flowers. It generally blooms in May and 

 June, and makes one of the finest plants for exhibition pur- 

 poses, the flowers being so distinct from those of any other 

 Cypripeditmi. Fig. — Bot. Rey., i 1666 ; Bot. Mag., t. 216. 

 — North America. 



Cypripedium spectabile album, Sweet.— This charming 

 variety resembles the preceding in habit of growth, and 

 also in its foliage and inflorescence, but its large flowers are 

 of a uniform creamy white, and are very attractive. Fig. — 

 Sweet, Brit. Ft. Gard., iii. t. 240. — North America. 



Disa. — This is a rather extensive family, but those we here 

 describe are the finest of the species. There are others in 

 cultivation ; but as they have not yet flowered, it is impos- 

 sible to determine which they really are. Nearly the whole 

 of the species are well worth growing, for although their 

 flowers are not so large as those of D. r/randi flora, they are 

 very handsome, and of easy culture. The following, some 

 of which we have seen growing, though not flowering, are well 

 worthy of attention — D. cernua, flowers green and yellow ; 

 D. chrysostachija, golden yellow ; D. cornuta, purple and 

 white ; D. Draconis, white and dark blue ; D. gramini/olia, 

 azure ; D. lacera, white ; D. longicornis, blue ; D. maculata, 

 spotted blue ; D. melaleuca, brown and white ; D. patens, 

 yellow ; D. prasinata, green and reddish purple ; D. race- 

 mosa, purple ; D. rufescens, purple ; D. spathidata, pale 

 blue ; D. tenuifolia, yellow. Many more might be named ; 

 but enough has been said to show that we have a rich stock 

 of novelties in store yet. 



The best mode of treatment for these plants is to pot them 

 in shallow pans, in some good fibrous peat in a rather rough 

 state, with a little silver sand, well-rotted manure, and live 

 sphagnum moss added to it. They require a Hberal supply 

 of water during the growing and flowering season. During 

 the time they are making vigorous growth, they may be 

 syringed twice a day, or even oftener. This is far better 

 than using a watering-pot, as it serves the purpose of a 

 shower of rain, and helps to keep the red spider from the 

 leaves— an insect which is very injurious to them. Green 

 fly is also very troublesome ; it should be kept under by 

 washing them with a sponge and cold water. The plants rest 

 after the flowering season is over, and during this time less 



