46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



native of the middle States, being grown in gardens in Massachu- 

 setts, All the species have very large pith, that of A. papyrifera 

 producing the " rice paper " of the Chinese. The latter species 

 may be grown as a bedding plant, with the protection of a cellar 

 in the winter ; and in England and the middle States it is quite 

 hardy. Many other species might be grown here in the same 

 manner. A. canescens (sometimes called A. Japonica, which latter is 

 a tender evergreen species), is one of our most showy plants, 

 hardy, and produces foliage like immense fronds of fern. 



President Strong remarked that it is very strange the A. 

 VeitcJiii should be so much slower of growth in England than here. 

 He mentioned a fine new rose, Carl Coers, exhibited by him for 

 the first time, and called on the younger members of the society to 

 take part in the discussions, remarking, that the}' had, perhaps, 

 been too much confined to the wheel-horses, and he wished the 

 leaders to do their share. 



Mr. Rand spoke of a plant of Coelogyne cristata, which he had 

 on exhibition. The specific name is derived from the hairy crest 

 upon the lip. It is one of the most valuable species for general 

 cultivation by gardeners. It is not a new idea to grow it for cut 

 flowers. Mr. Such and Mr. Menand having grown it for this pur- 

 pose for many years, the spikes selling for from two to three dol- 

 lars each. The plant on exhibition is a little late in flowering, the 

 usual time being from about Thanksgiving to the first of May. 

 The species is a native of Nepal, growing in close, sandy loam by 

 watercourses, but is sometimes found on trees ; it should, there- 

 fore, be grown in loam of the same character, and have plenty of 

 water. It is easily propagated by division of the pseudobulbs, 

 and flowers in profusion. The plants are yet somewhat scarce in 

 this country. Mr. Such has a large plant two feet in diameter. 

 One grower in England has a house one hundred feet long filled 

 with these plants, which are used for cutting. The flower keeps 

 from two to five weeks, and can be commended as a valuable plant 

 for gardeners. 



Mr. Rand also exhibited Zygopetalum (yoke-petal) Gautieri, a 

 new and rare species from Brazil. Most of the Zygojyetcdums 

 bloom in autumn, but this species flowers in spring. It is not 

 richly colored, but its markings are beautiful, and it is delightfully 

 fragrant. It is figured in "L' Illustration Ilorticole." 



