same manner as lie had tlie other plants. The same day we had the pleasure 

 of seeing this grand specimen another very fine example was staged in the Paisley 

 Exhibition, and was a source of attraction to all the visitors, as indeed this species 

 always is when in flower. 



Peristeria elata is a noble evergreen plant, with stout pseudobulbs, bearing 

 long and broad plicate leaves, which are contracted into a long petiole below, and 

 are of a beautiful green colour. ' The flower spikes are produced from the side of 

 the bulbs, and attain a height of from three to five feet, bearing from twenty to 

 twenty-five of its waxy white blooms. The flowers open upwards from the base, 

 and it continues blooming a long time. 



This plant is easy to cultivate, but it requires a good season of growth, and 

 after its bulbs are well matured in autumn thorough rest is necessary; this may 

 be maintained until it begins to show its flower spikes, which occurs in the early 

 spring months. During the period of active growth an ample supply of water to 

 its roots is essential, in order to enable it to develop large bulbs ; but after 

 growth is completed it requires a_ very small quantity only — indeed, just sufficient to 

 prevent it shrivelling being all that is necessary. As it requires strong heat when 

 growing, and coming as it does from the low-lying hot districts about Panama, 

 the temperature of the East India house is the best suited for it during the whole 



w 



year. It also requires to be well exposed to sun and ligbt, but the foliage must 

 not be allowed to scorch, for such treatment is injurious to all plants, as it 

 impedes their growth and renders them unsightly. The best compost for this plant 

 is good rich turfy loam and leaf- mould, with a small quantity of thoroughly 

 decomposed manure mixed with it. The drainage must be good, with some fibrous 

 peat above it, which will keep it in good working order. The pot should be filled 

 to within an inch of the rim, and the bulbs placed on the top of the soil, first 

 spreading out their roots and just covering them with a little of the compost; 

 carefully water it for some time, and the roots ^dll soon penetrate the soil, as^ 

 they are produced freely. 



