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Encyclopaedia of Gardening 245 



last well when cut. The majority have a refined appearance want- 

 ing in most other flowers. The different kinds are grown in pots^ 

 pans, or baskets, and on blocks, according to their habit. The 

 terrestrial kinds are grown in fibrous peat and Sphagnum moss, 

 with a little charcoal, and the pots or pans are liberally drained 

 with crocks; the epiphytes are grown in baskets with a little moss, 

 or bound with wire on blocks and hung in a warm, moist house. 

 The majority have a resting and a growing season; in the former 

 they require very little water, in the latter a great deal. Most 

 form what are called pseudo-bulbs, fleshy swellings between the 

 collar and the leaf. In a state of nature these store moisture in 

 the rainy season for use in the dry period. The principal Orchids 

 are Cattleyas, Cypripediums, Dendrobiums, Odontoglossums, and 

 Oncidiums. These and others are dealt with under their own. 

 names in this work. Orchid flowers differ from others in several 

 important particulars. The stamens and pistil are combined in 

 the column; there is only one anther, except in the Cypripediums, 

 which have two ; and the pollen is in masses, not in dust-like grains. 

 The third inner segment, known as the labellum or lip, is generally 

 the most prominent feature; in Cypripediums it forms a pouch; 

 and the two low r er sepals are merged into one. 



Orchis (6r-chis. Ord. Orchidaceae) . The hardy Orchids are an 

 interesting class, and some are natives of Great Britain. The 

 majority do well on a limestone soil, and on stiff land chalk should 

 be added. They enjoy cool, shady spots. Transplanting and 

 division are best done in autumn, as they flower in spring. The 

 following are a few of the best: foliosa, 2 to 3 ft. high, purple 

 . (Botanical Magazine, t. 5074) ; latifolia, i ft., purplish-red, the 

 Marsh Orchis ; the Glasnevin variety of this is a handsome spotted 

 form; there is also a white called alba; maculata, I ft., purple and 

 white; there is a fine form of it called superba; militaris, \\ ft., 

 purple, the Soldier Orchis; morio, 9 ins., purple, the green-winged 

 Meadow Orchis; papilionacea, purple, the Butterfly Orchis; and 

 purpurea, i to 2 ft., purple. See also Ophrys. 



Oreocome Candollei (oreoco-me. Ord. Umbellif erae) . A hand- 

 some plant with fern-like foliage, sometimes used for summer 

 bedding. It is best kept in pots in winter in plain soil, to check its 

 natural grossness. A good deal of water is required. Propagation 

 is by cuttings or seed. It is synonymous with Selinum tenuifolium. 



Origanum (Marjoram). See Kitchen Garden Herbs. 



Ornithogalum, Star of Bethlehem (ornithog-alum, from ornis,. 

 bird, and gala, milk. Ord. Liliaceae). See Bulbs. 



Ornus (Flowering Ash). See Fraxinus. 



Orobus, Bitter Vetch (6r-obus, from oro, to excite, and boits, arc 

 ox, in reference to its supposed stimulating virtues as food. Ord. 

 Leguminosae) . One or two of these hardy herbaceous perennials 

 are good enough for the garden, notably vernus, purplish-blue, a 

 spring bloomer growing about a foot high, and suitable for the 

 rockery; there are several varieties of it, differing in colour (see the- 



