specimens. We saw one ' in the collection of tlie Conite de Germiny, in France, 

 wliich was most beautiful — two feet in height^ and -well bloomed; this specimen, 

 which was suspended from the roof of the house, had a remarkably fine effect. 



This plant will do either on blocks of wood or in small suspended pans or 

 baskets, so that, it gets all the light possible. We find the best material to 



cultivate it in is sphagnum moss and a few pieces of charcoal intermixed, and 

 it must have good drainage ; it requires very little moss, as the roots like to 

 enjoy the moist atmosphere of the house. The species is found growino- on trees 

 where the roots get the full benefit of the light and air ; and if we imitate this 

 as nearly as possible as regards their roots, we shall not go far wrong. Of course 

 in our Orchid houses tlie treatment varies, and consequently the plant will require 

 a little shade. The temperature required is that of the East ' India house. 



STANnorEA GIBBOSA.— We have received from Alfred G. Wallis, Esq., of Balh 

 a grand spike of this giTat beauty. The plant, Mr. Wallis informs us, is growin 



in a wire basket about fifteen inches in diameter, and has borne' five spikes of 



four of them with two flowers on a spike and one with one flower. The 



flOTV 



fl(nv(^-s arc; large, about six inches across ; the petals are yellow, barred and ' blotche 

 with crimson, the sepals assuming a darker tint of the same colour. Mr. Peacock 



was also successful in flowering this plant in June of the present year. It is a 



great pity Stauhopt'as are not more popular among Orchid cultivators, as they f 



a very showy group of plants, their only drawback, being the short time they 

 continue in tiower, and their very powerful and unpleasant odour.— B. S. W. 



DisA GRANDIF1.0RA.— We received a wonderfully fine spike of this superb Orchid 

 from iVlr. Thomas Speed, the Duke of Devonshire's crardener, at Chatsworth. The 



:c was two feet six inches in length from the pot, and bore twelve flowers of 

 large fiize and fine colour— a bright scarlet and crimson, the lip veined with pink, 

 which gives a nice contrast. It is a most charming cool-house Orchid that every 

 one may grow who has an ordinary gTcenhouse. Mr. Speed is a most successful 



cultivator of this fine plant. We saw the first small plant he had to begin with 



some years ago, and this plant has gone on improving, and many offshoots h 

 b.'cn takon from it which have also made fine specimens. The Disa really seems 

 to be no trouble to cultivate. The way in which Mr. Speed treats it is to" grow 

 It m a common greenhouse, whore it gets plenty of fresh air and light, and here 

 It requires nothing but plenty of water in the growing season. It is ■ grown in 

 spb'>gnum moss and rough fibrous peat and loam. There is no doubt that tins 

 plant does not get shifted from tlie place where it was found to do well. This is 



a great secret in plant culture. When a plant is found doing well, let it remain 

 ^vllere it is, unless on trial another place is found to be equally suitable. Few 

 people grow _ this Disa well. The reason is, that they keep it in too warm a house, 

 and coddle it too much. If they would follow Mr. Speed's plan, there is no doubt 

 the) would succeed, if the plants are kept free from insects, and provided' with 



HW'^^' 



mateiiiil about their roots,— B, S, W 



