houses with rockwork, over and about which water is allowed to continually trickle ; 
this, of course, maintains a thoroughly moist atmosphere, excellent for the period 
of growth if the necessary heat is maintained, but these houses are frequently 
kept at a very low temperature, and the consequence of this is quickly to be seen 
if any blooming plants are there, as the flowers rapidly become spotted and decay. 
This is a great source of annoyance, for after a year’s labour and care, one should 
be enabled to enjoy their flowers as long as possible, always bearing in mind the 
great strain the process of blooming is to the plant. This is a subject far too 
imperfectly understood by Orchid growers, and we wish specially to draw the 
attention of our subscribers to the necessity of a careful study of the question. 
Cattleya Gaskelliana alba requires the same treatment as C. Mossie, C. 
Mendelii, and others of the labiata section, but as it flowers upon the young 
growths immediately after they are mature, no resting period is necessary in the 
summer time. After flowering, the plant commences to grow, and during this 
time it should be well exposed to the light, as there is little fear that our winter’s 
sun and light can be too strong for it; during the hotter part of the summer season it 
requires shading from the sun’s rays, in order to maintain the foliage of a healthy 
colour. It succeeds well in either a pot or hanging basket, but whichever system is 
adopted, good drainage must be secured. The soil should be good peat-fibre and 
living sphagnum moss. 
VanpA Lowm.—We have received from Mr. Laing, gardener to Mrs. Nelson, 
Salisbury Green, Edinburgh, a fine spike containing thirty-two flowers of this noble 
Orchid, which is perhaps more correctly named Renanthera Lowit; the plant from 
which it was taken is only fifteen inches high and bore two spikes of flowers. We 
never remember to have seen this species flower in such a small state before, and 
great credit is due to Mr. Laing for his management of the plant.—B. 8S. W. 
