half, having an intense purple-crimson blotch in the centre. It blooms during the 
winter and spring months, and continues in beauty about three weeks. 
Our present subject requires the- same management as the other forms of this 
species, which are all of easy culture if the proper treatment is given, and they 
obtain help when they require it. ‘The essential points are—a good season of 
erowth, and a distinct season of rest after the growth is completed. This may be 
known by the top leaf becoming matured, and the stems being swelled out to a 
good size, and well ripened. This ripening is essential in order that the plants may 
push forth their flowers at the proper season, the latter depending on their strength 
and the forwardness of their growth. When ripened early in autumn they put 
forth their blossoms earlier, by bemg kept in a dormant state in a cooler house 
after the growth is completed, water being withheld from their roots until they begin 
to show their flower buds; then a little moisture may be given as an inducement 
to the flowers to attain a higher degree of perfection. 
These plants will well repay all the care that is bestowed upon them. They 
will grow vigorously in rough fibrous peat and sphagnum moss with good drainage, 
and will thrive either in pots or baskets in any warm house during their growing 
season. After they have finished their flowering they should be started into growth 
by giving more water and heat, which the nobile section delight in. The plants 
require much light in order to ripen their bulbs early. They usually flower — 
from the second year’s growth, but if their stems are well matured they sometimes 
bloom during the first year, though such cases are exceptional. 
Tae Spreap or OrcHtp Cutture—When many years ago we wrote the series 
of papers entitled Orchids for the Million in the Gardeners’ Chronicle, we predicted 
that these charming and beautiful plants would some day be grown by the million, 
and be purchased at a small cost. It is between thirty and forty years since we 
wrote those words, ané we have lived to see both these predictions fulfilled. We 
owe the great increase in the importation. of Orchids both to this and other 
countries, to the unceasing energy of those who go out as plant collectors at the 
risk of their lives. In addition to all this, great strides have been made in the 
propagation of Orchids. Some of the genera produce many young plants on their 
stems and pseudobulbs, and these increase very quickly; such are the species of 
Calanthe, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Thunia, Pleione, and many others. This all 
tends to encourage and to bring forward new growers, who are led on by the 
influence brought to bear upon them by the splendid flowers, which are to them 4 
delight, and well repay all the trouble they may take with them. Those who have 
any taste for Nature’s productions cannot but admire Orchids, for their blossoms are — 
most wonderful and fascinating, so that the more one sees of them the more one 
must admire the varied forms and colours that blend so harmoniously, and which 
can be so managed as to enable us to have these gorgeous floral productions in 
full beauty at all times of the year.—B. 8. W. 
