ORCHIDS. 33 



Mr. Moore said that he had an Isabella vine split open, but he 

 did not consider it a hardy grape and would not cultivate it. It 

 must be laid down. 



The Chairman remarked that we sometimes do have winters that 

 kill the tops and do not kill the roots. 



Mr. Talbot said that, though the commonly received idea was 

 that plants were injured by freezing and thawing in sudden changes 

 of temperature, the winter of 1874-5 was all freezing and no thaw- 

 ing, and plants never were so much injured. 



Mr. Davis thought that covering the tops would also benefit the 

 roots. 



Mr, Talbot suggested the influence of the scion on the root as a 

 subject for discussion at a future meeting. 



Mr. Davis suggested the best varieties of fi'uit for cultivation. 



The Chairman remarked that he had been asked whether these 

 meetings were open to the public, and said that the Society, in 

 seeking to diffuse information on horticulture, did not intend to 

 confine it to the members alone, and that all interested in the sub- 

 jects discussed would be welcomed. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Saturday, January 22, 1876. 



E. S. Rand, Jr., made some remarks on a fine specimen of 

 Lcelia anceps exhibited by him. It is a most beautiful genus and 

 this is one of the finest species. It is difficult to convey in words 

 an idea of the beaut}' of the delicate rosy purple petals and the 

 deep rich purple of the lip. The flowers are produced on long, 

 slender, gracefully drooping stems. The plant had five spikes, 

 bearing in all fourteen flowers. This species is a native of Mexico, 

 and was introduced into England in 1833, but its wants were not 

 understood, and for many years it was grown in a small and im- 

 perfect condition. The Cattleyas and Loelias are very closely 

 allied, the only distinction being in the number of pollen masses, 

 the former having four and the latter eight. In orchids the pollen 

 is held under the column, and they require the agency of insects in 

 fertilization. The flowers are very long lived ; those on the plant 



