THE FLORISTS' MANUAL. 



J5J 



June and July and lasts about three 

 weeks in perfection. 



Aerides crispum, another beautiful 

 species, a free bloomer and of easy 

 culture. This variety grows best in a 

 basket suspended from the roof, 

 blooms in summer, and the flowers 

 have a very pleasing odor. 



Aerides Lobbii, a dwarf growing 

 species, does well in a basket, blooms 

 during June and July, the spikes of 

 pink flowers from 12 to 18 inches long 

 and perfectly round. This is a grand 

 variety. 



Aerides odoratum majus, a grand 

 old variety, very free bloomer, beauti- 

 ful, aromatic odor, flowers in summer, 

 lasting about two weeks in perfection; 

 should find a place in every collec- 

 tion. 



ANGRAECUM. This peculiar genus 

 requires the same treatment as aerides, 

 only they all grow best in pots and 

 require abundance of drainage and 

 plenty of moisture during their grow- 

 ing season, which is about the same as 

 that of the aerides. A little good 

 fibrous peat can be used with the 

 sphagnum for potting. They are most- 

 ly natives of Madagascar. The follow- 

 ing I consider the best varieties for 

 commercial purposes: 



Angraecum eburneum, greenish- 

 white flowers, very sweet and very 

 large, strong spikes; blooms during 

 the winter months. 



Angraecum sesquipedale. This spe- 

 cies I consider the best of the genus. 

 It is a good grower and has large, 

 peculiarly-formed flowers, with long 

 white tails of ivory whiteness, and 



House of Cattleya Trianae. 



Cattleya Mossiae. 



very fragrant. I have seen these tails 

 from 10 to 15 inches long. It blooms 

 in winter. 



Angraecum Ellisii, another fine spe- 

 cies, with immense flower spikes of 

 pure white color, lip a cinnamon 

 brown; very sweet scented. 



. CALANTHE. A terrestrial orchid, 

 and many are also deciduous. They are 

 best grown in pots, well drained, and 

 the bulbs well elevated. Pot in a com- 

 post of good fibrous loam, some well 

 rotted cow manure, a little good, sharp 

 sand, and some broken charcoal, well 

 mixed. Pot in March for flowering in 

 December and January. They require 

 a brisk heat and plenty of water in 

 their growing season. An occasional 

 watering with good liquid manure is 

 very helpful to them. Place the plants 

 in a cool house a few days before cut- 

 ting the flowers for market, as Lais 

 greatly adds to their strength and 

 color. They should be rested in the 

 same temperature as they were grown, 

 but withhold water altogether until 

 you wish to start them growing again. 

 This variety is subject to thrip and 

 should therefore be watched. 



Calanthe Veitchii, a beautiful sort, 

 with large, branching spikes of flowers 

 of a fine rosy pink color. 



Calanthe vestita rubro-oculata. This 

 variety has flowers the same as the 



