ORCHID CULTURE. 37 



at Mr. Buchanan's, in New York, and purchased twenty-five plants 

 at two dollars each, but did not give them much attention. They 

 were cultivated in pots as usual ; but, three years ago, he shook 

 them all out and potted in soil. There has been, as previous 

 speakers have said, too much mystery thrown about their culture ; 

 what is wanted is good judgment and common sense. People 

 seeing them grow on blocks think thei'e must be something mar- 

 vellous about them ; but it does not follow, because they grow 

 naturally on trees, that they cannot be grown in soil. Many of the 

 Sikkim rhododendrons in their native habitats grow upon trees, 

 but are cultivated in soil. He was once in Rollison's orchid house 

 in August. The thermometer was up to 100°, and the whole house 

 was reeking with water and steam, so that it would have been 

 impossible for a lady to enter it. This is not necessary, though 

 the plants require plenty of water. They must have more water 

 in our dry climate than in England. There should be four inches 

 of drainage in the pots, with a night temperature of from 50° to 

 60'', plenty of water and plenty of drainage. 



Mr. Rand said that 60° at night was the maximum for East 

 Indian orchids, while 50° was sufficient for the Mexican species. 

 The thermometer falls to 42° at night in some parts of his house. 

 He has found the Bletias and Zygopetalums benefited by liquid 

 manure. 



Marshall P. Wilder spoke of the necessity of a moist atmos- 

 phere, shade, and plenty of water, the latter especially, if over the 

 flue of a greenhouse. J. W. Boott had the only collection forty 

 years ago, including Bletia Tankervillece. They were cultivated 

 in an ordinary greenhouse, occasionally closing a door, and grew 

 without piling up bricks and charcoal about the stem. 



James Cruikshanks said that he could recollect the Bletia 

 TankervillecB as long as he could recollect house plants. As has 

 been stated, it can be grown in any greenhouse, but far stronger 

 in the pine stove. 



Mr. Rand stated, in answer to an inquiry by Mr. Wilder as to 

 what became of Mr. Boott's collection, that it was sold, a part 

 being purchased by his father, Edward S. Rand, senior, and that 

 some of these were now in his own possession. Others went to 

 the Cambridge Botanic Garden, where some of them still survive. 

 He also took occasion to remark that in the culture of orchids it is 

 important to avoid direct drafts and sudden changes. The air 



