34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



exhibited had been in bloom for three weeks, and would probably 

 last two weeks longer. This long duration is due to the fact that 

 they are not fertilized ; like all other flowers, they decay imme- 

 diately after fertilization. This plant began to throw up its 

 flower spikes in August ; they had at the termination protuber- 

 ances which in November began to swell, and ultimatel}^ developed 

 into flower buds. The genus is one of the easiest to gi*ow ; it can 

 be cultivated in a common conservatory or greenhouse. West In- 

 dian and Mexican orchids dwindled and died under the treatment 

 formerly given them under the misapprehension that they required 

 the same culture as the East Indian species, Loelias require in sum- 

 mer only the ordinary temperature of a greenhouse, which in 

 winter may be allowed to fall to 45°. The plant is of elegant 

 habit with shining, dark green leaves, from one to three of which 

 are produced on each pseudobulb. Immediately after the flowers 

 have faded the roots will begin to protrude. An orchid will grow 

 indefinitel}'' in one direction if allowed, and the object of the cul- 

 tivator is to produce " back breaks." 



Mr, Rand said tha4; he had been looking into the prices of 

 orchids to ascertain whether they were a profitable investment 

 from a pecuniary point of view, and had come to the conclusion 

 that they were. In England, single plants had sold as high as 

 two hundred and fifty guineas, though good specimens could be 

 obtained at reasonable prices ; that exhibited cost twenty-five 

 dollars two j^ears ago, and is probably worth three times as much 

 now. Like pictures by the old masters, a fine specimen will 

 always bring a good price. The colors of the LctiUas are white, 

 purple, and pink in different shades, and there is not a poor species 

 in the genus. He knew of no plant more desirable for cultiva- 

 tion, either by amateurs or for the sale of the flowers. He ex- 

 pected next Saturday to bring in a plant with a hundred flowers. 



In answer to an inquiry, Mr. Rand said that back breaks were 

 made by cutting the running stalk about three-quarters through, 

 when a little bud would form at the base, which is afterwards 

 separated. This is the method adopted by nurserymen for propa- 

 gating. Another species is Lcelia albida, with white, fragrant 

 flowers. Mr. Rand had received from Hugh Low & Co., Upper 

 Clapton, England, ten plants of this species, the whole of which 

 would not fill an eight-inch pot. 



Hybridization is easily effected ; the method is to lift up the top 



