190 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



Masdevallia. The majority of the Masdevallias that may be 

 grown by beginners belong to the large-flowered section. The Mas- 

 devallias are alpines of the Andes of South America, being found on the 

 higher slopes above the forest, some of the species occurring near the 

 snow-line. The majority are found at an altitude of from 9000 to 

 12,000 feet elevation, where the atmosphere is constantly charged with 

 moisture arising from the hot plains below. The days are temperate, 

 but the nights exceedingly cold. This section may be easily cultivated 

 in a cool fernery or a shady house, where an abundant supply of mois- 

 ture may be obtained during the dry summer months. The normal 

 night temperature of the bouse during the winter should be 50 degrees 

 or less in cold weather, but with low temperatures the plants must be 

 allowed to become drier at the roots, and the atmospheric moisture 

 reduced accordingly. The plants are not injured by a cool degree of 

 temperature for a time, when they are dry at the roots. 



The day temperature should be 5 degrees higher than the night. 

 In summer keep the house as cool as possible by free and early ventila- 

 tion, heavy shading and constant damping down of the floors, staging, 

 &c. The large-flowered Masdevallias may be purchased for a modest 

 outlay, well within the reach of the most humble amateur. They re- 

 quire a potting compost of two parts sphagnum moss to one of fibrous 

 peat. The pots used should be drained to two-thirds their depth with 

 clean broken crocks, and after the plant has been placed in position, work 

 the compost about it, keeping the base just below the rim of the pot, 

 and slightly mounding the compost towards the centre. The best time 

 to repot is September and October. After potting thoroughly water 

 the plants with rain water poured through a moderately coarse rose on 

 the water can. During the winter, after the plants have become re- 

 established, little water will be required, only sufficient to keep them 

 plump, but with the return of spring new growth begins, when they 

 will require an abundance of moisture. Ventilation and shading must 

 at all times be governed by the external conditions prevailing, but 

 with ordinary observation no difficulty whatever should be experienced 

 in successfully cultivating this section. They are a success under the 

 same conditions as provided for Odontoglossums, if placed on the shady 

 side of the house. The best kinds to commence with are M. amabilis, 

 M. harryana in its varied forms, M. ignea, and M. Veitchii. There are 

 many varieties of miniature growth that are not interesting. These 

 are suitable for basket or pan suspended from the roof. The potting 

 compost and treatment should be similar to that recommended above. 

 The most interesting of these are M. polysticta, M. armenaica, M. caudata 

 (Shuttleworthii), M. muscosa with its sensitive lip, M. Simula, M. rosea, 

 M. tr/angularis, and M. wagneriana. There are also numerous hybrids, 

 derived from the intercrossing of these sections, that are worthy of every 

 attention. The M. chim&ra section and those belonging to the thick- 

 leaved varieties allied to M. leontoglossa are best grown in a temperature 

 of not less than 55 degrees in winter, and are most suitable for basket 

 culture. 



Maxillaria. Several varieties of Maxillarias are suitable for be- 



