variations have occurred amongst them. All that we have seen, however, arc very 

 showy, and their branching spikes bear immense quantities . of flowers, even on 

 quite small plants, and as these are of long duration this species is extremely 

 valuable for personal adornment, as well as other decorative purposes. 



Our drawing was taken from a fine plant grown in the grand collection of 

 M. Le Comte de Germiny, Chateau de Gouville, France, in whose honour it is 

 named. The Odontoglots at Gouville are so well grown that they deserve the 

 highest encomiums ; when last w^e saw them their bulbs were of enormous size, 

 and the young growths promised well for the next season's blooming. We have 

 been induced to make this statement on account of rumours which have spread 

 about, to the effect that cool Orchid-growing has not been a success on the Conti- 

 nent. In the above-named establishment, however, notwithstanding the intense heat 

 of last summer, there has ' been no deterioration in the health of these plants ; of 

 course, they have suitable houses in w^hich to grow, and their special requirements 

 are administered to at just the right seasons ; therefore, if other continental growers 

 follow Mr. Vincents example there cannot be a doubt of success. 



Odontoglossum Pescatorei Germiny ami m resembles the species in its habit of 

 growth, being an evergreen plant, with compact deep green bulbs, and pleasing 

 green foliage ; the flower-spikes proceed from the base of the bulb, bearing dense 

 panicles of lovely blossoms, which are perfect in form and of great substance ; 

 the sepals and petals are white the former being flushed with rose, and both having 

 a few spots of rosy purple scattered over tlieir surfaces ; tlie lip is also wliite with 

 occasional spots of rosy purple on the anterior part, w^hilst the basilar portion 

 bears a band of rosy purple on either side. This plant flowers in July and 

 August, and continues in bloom for six weeks or more. The system adopted in 

 the cultivation of these plants at Gouville is to keep them in small span-roofed 

 houses, having central paths and tables on either side ; the range is a long one, 

 and has divisions of about thirty feet in length, each kind being grown in 

 separate divisions ; O. Pescatorei and O. Alexandres, however, are cultivated together, 

 and the plants are kept near the glass. The compost used for them is fibrous 

 peat and sphagnum moss, the pots are well drained, and the plants are elevated 

 above the pot-rim ; they receive a moderate supply of water during their growing 

 season, and being well potted the water passes off quickly, which is one of the 

 principal requisites for the successful cultivation of these plants, as, although they 

 like to be kept moist, the moisture must not be allowed to stagnate, or it soon 

 causes the soil to get into a bad condition, which is rapidly followed by decay of 



the roots and shrivelling of the bulbs. If decay from any cause takes place, th 



■ 



old soil should be at once removed, the decaying matter cut away, and the bulbs 

 washed, replacing them in as small sized pots as the plants will allow in order 

 to quickly induce the. formation of new roots ; w^hen the plants are again estabhshed 

 they may be re-potted. During the period of rest the soil should be kept slightly 

 moist until the plants begin to show their flower-spikes above the foliage, at 

 which time a larger supply of water may be given to encourage vigour, and enable 

 the spikes to produce fine blossoms. 



