individually five inches across; the sepals are of a pale rosy purple, becoming deeper 
in colour towards the edge; petals intense rose-purple; lip three-lobed, anterior lobe 
deep magenta-purple, veined with a deeper shade of the same colour; throat yellow. 
The flowers of this variety appear at a most unusual time for a dark variety ; that is, 
in the month of February, and they continue in perfection for three weeks or a 
month. 
We find from experience that this section of Lelia elegans requires a warmer and 
closer atmosphere than most of its congeners, by which means their stems are not 
allowed to shrivel; indeed, they require to be kept in a shady place, and their stems 
and foliage kept moist, until they plump up and form new roots. These plants 
require great attention, and should never be allowed to flower until they have become 
well rooted, and are thoroughly established. We cultivate the plants belonging to 
this section of Lelia by themselves, using one side of the house for them, a position 
in which they have full exposure to the light, but are shaded from the hottest sunshine. 
Here we give them an abundant supply of moisture between the pots and on the 
table, in order to produce a moist atmosphere during the season of growth, but in 
the winter months this is considerably reduced, as we give them only just sufficient 
to keep their bulbs in a plump and healthy condition. The pots must be well and 
thoroughly drained, the best material to use about their roots is gvod fibrous upland 
peat, and this should be made firm. They thrive equally well in either pots or 
baskets, and may be hung up near to the roof-glass; but there is one thing to avoid 
in this situation—it frequently becomes a very chilly place in winter, and therefore 
we would avoid too close a proximity to the glass during extreme cold weather. 
Orcuips at Mr. C. W. Lea’s, PARKFIELD, HALLow, Worcester.—There is at 
the present time (middle of November) a magnificent form of Lelia prestans in 
flower in this choice collection of plants, far surpassing anything we have hitherto met 
with. The individual flowers of this variety measure five inches across, the petals 
being two and a-half inches long by one inch and three-quarters broad. They are of 
a deep rosy purple; lip very large and full, well opened, intense magenta-purple on 
the front part, with a white throat. The rare Cattleya Hardyana was also flowering 
at the same time. Mr. Lea was also kind enough to send us some excellent 
photographs of some of the most notable Orchids which have recently bloomed with 
him, the most noteworthy being that of a grand plant of Saccolubium celeste, having 
eleven spikes expanded of its lovely ccerulean blue flowers. This alone is a sight 
never to be forgotten, and it does the Orchid manager, Mr. Catt, the greatest credit 
* for the admirable manner in which he has grown this plant.—B. 8. W. 
