October 29, 1890.] 



Garden and Forest. 



5 2 7 



a change came over it as soon as I commenced to manure it, 

 and I have no difficulty in growing and flowering Houlletias 

 now." All Cypripediums made hetter growth when fed with 

 this manure than when grown in ordinary soil. After three 

 years' careful experiments Mr. Moore concluded that " the 

 continuous use of fish manure is beneficial to Orchids ; the 

 benefit is not equally apparent each year; and lastly, the bene- 

 ficial effects are most marked during the second and third 



it. These remained healthy, but they did not grow as freely — 

 that is, the new growths were not so large as the older growths, 

 and the number of breaks were not so numerous ; in fact, 

 they evidently missed the manure." The growth made under 

 the influence of manure was sound and healthy, and the pro- 

 duction of flowers excellent. Mr. Moore recommends the fol- 

 lowing precautions in using this manure for Orchids — namely: 

 Give it in small quantities, and only once a year; mix it well 



years. At the third year the plant seemed to attain the maxi- 

 mum size of leaf and pseudo-bulb, and during the fourth and 

 fifth years all I could do was to maintain the standard of excel- 

 lence arrived at during the third year, but there was little diffi- 

 culty in doing this when a, little manure was used and ordinary- 

 precautions observed. I made certain that the annual addi- 

 tion of manure was necessary by withholding it from about 

 half a dozen plants which had been previously supplied with 



page 524. 



with the soil, or, in the case of plants not to be repotted, raise 

 the sphagnum and scatter the guano over the soil. 



I have referred to this subject and quoted Mr. Moore at 

 some length, because I know him to be a first-rate Orchid- 

 grower and a keen and accurate observer. The collection of 

 Orchids, mainly formed by him within the last twelve years, is 

 one of the most comprehensive and best managed in the 

 British Islands. 



