104 MASSACHUSETTS h6rTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and purpose to give descriptions of a few of them, with notes 

 of their culture. 



Coelogyne cristata. — This charming plant is a native of the hills 

 of India, and does not require a high temperature. The pseudo- 

 bulbs are roundish and somewhat wrinkled ; the leaves long, glossy 

 green. The flowers are pure white with a crest of yellow, or nearly 

 perfectly white ; they are produced in drooping racemes in mid- 

 winter, and last very long in perfection. It is usually grown in a 

 rose pit or greenhouse. "We grow them in peaty loam, mixed with 

 crocks broken fine to keep the loam open and porous ; the pot is 

 filled one third full of drainage. They require plenty of water in 

 their growing season, which is from the time they have done 

 flowering to the beginning of September, when we give them less 

 ■water — only enough to keep the plants from getting dry. During 

 their season of rest, they should be kept in a cool place until their 

 flower spikes begin to show, which will be in December. They 

 require a sunny place to bring the flowers out. 



For cut flowers this is one of the most useful of orchids, as it is 



desirable from its pure rich color, and it is to be recommended 



for its very free blooming qualities. Very small plants will give 



. an abundance of bloom, and as it increases rapidly a good stock 



may soon be obtained from a few plants, 



Lycaste Skinner L — This very showy, free growing plant is a 

 native of Guatemala, and has now been in cultivation more than 

 thirty years. It is one of the most valuable plants for the gar- 

 dener, as it is easily grown, flowers freely, and the blossoms are 

 large and very showy. They also last many weeks in full beauty, 

 and remain in perfection long after being cut. This species, when 

 it becomes more common, will be popular as a window plant, for 

 it requires little heat and bears a dry atmosphere more readily 

 than most orchids, although the plant should never be allowed to 

 get dry even when it rests. 



The flowers are from three to six inches in diameter, the sepals 

 and petals pure white, but varying to many shades of rose ; the lip 

 is almost covered with spots and streaks of carmine. The plant 

 will often throw half a dozen flowers from one bulb. 



The soil should be fibrous peat, but we have seen the plants 

 doing well in common loam, with good drainage. After flowering,' 

 rest the plants until they begin to grow, then give them heat and 

 plenty of water. Shade them from the direct rays of the sun, and 



