Xll INTEODUCTIOIT. 



peat such as Orchid- growers use, and that which is a light 

 colour, with pieces of decayed moss, and rather sandy, is 

 the best ; one-fourth turfy loam, and that which is called 

 yellow or hazel loam is to be preferred ; one- eighth pieces 

 of greenstone broken to about the size of a Walnut ; one- 

 eighth silver sand ; incorporate the above well together, 

 chopping the peat with the spade, but do not pass any of 

 the compost through a riddle. In the above compost they 

 thrive amazingly. They are not benefited by the application 

 of manure, or manure water of any description ; and in some 

 species it is so detrimental as to cause death. This applies 

 chiefly to the lesser and fine-rooted kinds. The compost 

 should be worked into the hollows and crevices of the 

 rockwork with a pointed piece of wood or some such like 

 implement. Plants of the small-growing sorts should be 

 planted where the soil is shallow, and the openings between 

 the stones the least. Those that have creeping stems, such 

 as DavalliaS) &c., may be planted where their roots will 

 have the chance of creeping on an overhanging rock : in 

 such a position they are beautiful in the extreme. But as 

 we shall give a list of such kinds as are suited for a green- 

 house temperature hereafter, in order to save space we will 

 not deal with that subject at present, except that some 

 Ferns look considerably more to advantage when viewed in 

 certain positions than when they are planted indiscriminately. 

 If the plants have been grown in pots, which they generally 

 are, they may be planted at any season of the year ; if not, 

 they should not be disturbed when growing, but rather wait 

 until they are at rest (not growing). March and April are 

 the best months, but we have planted them at all times of 

 the year without failures of any consequence. The roof 

 must be shaded. Tiffany (Shaw's) No. 3 is what most 



