spikes, the sepals and petals being of a pale tint of rosy lilac, the lip bright rose 

 with lilac, veined with brighter rosy-purple. It blooms during the autumn, and 

 according to Mr. Powell, Mr. Brymer's gardener, lasts for six weeks in beauty. It 

 is a free growing species, but like the forms of L. elegans requires good cultivation 



We find this kind does well either in a pot or basket. It should have good 

 drainage, and be grown in rough fibrous peat with lumps of charcoal intermixed to keep 

 the soil open, thus allowing the roots to run over it and cling to the lumpy peat and 

 charcoal. We find all this class of Lcelias to thrive best elevated well above the 

 pot or basket in which they are grown; the roofs then come down more freely, 

 and can go either into the compost or outside of it as they hke, though in most 

 cases it will be found that they prefer the outside; and to us it appears very 

 delightful to see the fresh roots in this way enjoying the atmosphere of the house 

 in which they are cultivated. They do the same in their native country, clino-ina 



to the trees, rocks, or any other firm substance on which they can lay hold. By 

 growing them here as we have indicated, above the pot rim, the water passes off 

 and most of the roots enjoy what is natural to them. They require a good 

 amount of moisture when in vigorous growth, but should never be kept too wet, 

 as this causes the soil to become soddened, and in this way are broudit about 



the many failures that we hear of. Some cultivators imagine that because a 



IS m ^ vigorous health and growing freely nothing can hurt it, but this is 

 a mistaken idea, as that really is the time during which they require more than 

 ordinary care and attention. On the other hand, if the plants have become maturorl 

 they will most probably suffer for it afterwards by the rotting of the young growth. 

 When kept too wet the plants often become too sappy, and then after the gruwtli 

 is matured the cultivator may be startled to find the stems and foliacre turninir black 



o " o 



and rotting away— a state of things which may frequently be attributed and often 

 traced to over-watering. Before proceeding to water plants their requirements should 

 be studied. Orchids require much forethought in reference to their treatment, especially 

 as regards the temperature of the house compared with that of the atmosphere outside, 

 the time of year making a considerable difference, as does the condition of the plants. 

 All this has to be considered in reference to the treatment about to be bestowed 

 upon them. There is no doubt that Orchids, when understood, are as easily cultivated 

 aa other plants, and some kinds more so, but on the other hand some requu-.- extra 

 care and judicious management as regards light, air, potting material, and water; and 

 unless a grower has some idea what his particular plants require he will most likely 



meet with failures. This is indeed sometimes the case with those who do k 

 the various requirements of particular subjects, but there is no doubt that where the 

 treatment of a plant is well studied, a less amount of faHure will be experienced. 

 If a plant will not succeed in one part of a house, try it in another, and when 

 a suitable spot is found let it remain there. 



We find Lcslias Hke to be as near the light as possible, and they wiU thrive 

 well in pots or baskets suspended from the roof, so that their roots can throw 



themselves out where they please. They might indeed all be gro^Ti in baskets if 

 preferred. 



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