conditions, so that it may be taken for granted that when its growing season 
commences there should be no time lost in rendering the plant every assistance to 
make its growth strong and vigorous, and to induce it to root freely. This, indeed, 
is necessary with all Orchids under cultivation, as our seasons are too short and 
uncertain to admit of delay. We should prefer baskets to grow these plants in, 
as they enable the cultivator to suspend them in the full sun and light, thus con- 
forming in the nearest possible manner to the natural conditions of the plant, and 
allowing the roots to absorb the atmospheric moisture in the best possible manner. 
The material used for these plants should be good peat fibre and living sphagnum 
moss, whilst at the same time the drainage must be thoroughly efficient, as these 
plants require a large amount of water during active growth. After this is finished. 
the bulbs should not be allowed to become dry enough to shrivel, as this will be 
sure to cause them to dwindle away, and lead to trouble in their restoration, 
without any one point of advantage having been achieved. A little shade during 
the hotter part of the day in summer will be beneficial, and a slight syringing 
on warm days during the period of active growth will cause them to make more 
vigorous shoots, without which bloom cannot be expected to follow in due season. 
The ZL. autumnalis section of this genus requires great care and attention, and does 
not appear to like being disturbed, unless it is to renew the material in which the 
plants are growing; and they are also impatient of being cut to pieces, 80 that 
increase by propagation in this manner is not readily achieved. 
The best time for re-basketing is just as the plants show signs of fresh 
growth, which is usually some little time after their flowering season. If grown 
upon blocks of wood, as we have cultivated plants of L. autumnalis, they require 
a large amount of moisture overhead by syringing, as well as a constant lifting 
down and dipping in water, in order to keep them well soaked, but this system 
is more dangerous, and causes more trouble, than basket culture. 
These Mexican plants appear to be very subject to the attacks of insects, 
especially the white scale, which is frequently imported with them in large quantities, 
and from which they appear to suffer in a marked degree. These pests should 
therefore be constantly searched for and destroyed, as good cultivation depends om 
- cleanliness. 
