are fine varieties of this species, especiallj one that has been gro^Ti in collections 

 for many years, and that we have been in the habit of exhibiting for the p.u,t 

 35 years — even before that there were fine specimens of it in cultivation. The 

 species was named after the late G. Ure Skinner, Esq., who imported it from Guatemala, 

 together with many other Orchids, and whose name will always be associated with 

 this cla=!g of plants, many fine kinds having been named after him. 



Cattleya Skinneri alba is an evergreen plant, with light green stems and foliage. 

 The stems are about twelve inches high, and each produces two leaves ahout four 

 inches long. The spikes proceed from an oblong sheath at the top of the stem 

 in March and April, The sepals and petals are pure white with the throat of 

 the lip pale yellow. It continues in bloom for two or three weeks, but it mnst 

 be ke]tt free from damp, as white flowers soon become spotted if kept in too cool 

 and damp an atmosphere ; it is always best to have a dry, warm house for plants 

 that are in bloom, as they then last so much longer. Mr. Hill, the gardener at 

 'I'ring Park, must have kept this specimen in a dry, warm house, as the tiowers woic 

 most perfect when they reached us. 



This plant joquires the same treatment as C. Skinneri. It is best grorni in a 

 pot or basket, with good fibruus peat and sphagnum moss, the pots being filK'd 

 throe-pnrts full of drainage, then filled up with rough peat, placing some pieces of 

 chnrcoM] amongst it; this will keep it open and porous, and the roots will run fivcly 

 among the charcoal. In the growing season the soil requires to be kept rather moist, 

 but the plnnt docs not like too much water about its roots at any time. It is 

 b.-st grown near tlie light, with a little shade when the sun is hot, the shading not 



f\ 



lu-iiig required at any other time. We find the warm end of the Cattleya ho\r 

 to «uit it, as it requires more warmth than some of the other Cattleyas. "VVhon 

 the growth is fiuished in autumn, very little water should be given, and during 



winter oidy just sufficient to keep the stems plump, until they begin to throw up 



their lluvver spikes in J\Iarch, when a Httle more may be supplied to assist the flu\v.r-> 

 in opening, and to secure finer blossoms. 



Tli.y begin to grow after their flowering season is over, which is the best time 

 for division if it is required, but it is best to avoid cutting this rare plant u^ 



uuK-h as possible, as sometimes the divided pieces will not succeed so well, especially 

 it the phi lit is not strong and vigorous. When divided, place them in a shady, 

 moist place until they get established; then they may bo removed to a position 

 more exposed to the lidit. 



