meant to imitate the annual rainfalls, which are excessive in their native countries; 
but this was found not to be tolerated under cultivation, and we now find the best 
system to adopt is to cease the drenchings of water, for with the present system of 
ventilation, even in the best constructed houses, air cannot be admitted in anything 
like the volume the plants are subjected to in a state of nature, and consequently 
the water does not dry up, but it lies about the plants and causes destruction to 
the young growths. Cattleyas are spread over a vast extent of territory, and need 
a variety of temperatures and conditions to suit them; but taking C. Mossie, which 
has a somewhat restricted range in the mountains of Venezuela, which lie near the 
coast, we can mete out its requirements pretty accurately, and the same conditions 
suit most of the group known as the Jabiata section. Naturally they grow 
upon trees and rocks, having little or no moss about their roots—nothing but a 
few fallen leaves of the trees upon which they grow, consequently they have 
nothing to rot or decompose their roots, and hence the necessity of good drainage 
is well exemplified. Growth upon blocks of wood would, therefore, appear to be the 
best style of growth under cultivation; but under artificial treatment we find 
sufficient moisture cannot be maintained, so that we are compelled to grow them 
in pots. These should be thoroughly drained, and some good fibrous peat, from 
which all the fine particles of soil have been beaten should be used. To 
this may be added a little chopped sphagnum moss, as it tends to bind the 
fibre better together, and the soil is best suited to the plants when firm and hard. 
The soil should be elevated an inch or two above the pot’s rim, and upon 
this cone-like mound the plants should be placed. Do not over-pot, and do 
not re-pot too frequently, for this we consider is a great drawback to the successful 
growth of Cattleyas. During the summer season, which is their season of growth, 
water must be given cautiously. The roots will not require watering more than 
twice or thrice in the course of the week, but frequent waterings between the pots 
will be necessary, and also on the floor of the house, as great humidity in the 
air is absolutely necessary. When growth is completed, the watering must be 
discontinued gradually until the shoots are fully ripened and made up, and the 
watering between the pots and on the floor of the house may be entirely 
discontinued, saving only about once or twice in the week a little may be thrown 
about in order to prevent shrivelling; for we cannot believe it necessary to shrivel 
any plant to rest it in a legitimate manner. Ventilation should be free and 
ample, but it should be without draught ; neither should there be any perceptible 
heating of the house after water has been poured down. Shading should be done 
without as much as possible in the cultivation of Cattleyas ; but many people 
forget their plants are under glass, and are apt to become burnt with the sun. Thin 
shading should, however, be used, and it should not be allowed to cover the plants 
more than just during the few hours at midday. As the autumn comes on it 
must be borne in mind that C. Mossie sheaths have to stand until the following 
spring, and that in the event of premature growth the flowers may be prevented 
from coming. Care should, therefore, be taken, by keeping the plants cool and dry, 
that the growth does not become excited. | 
