inches across, and are of good substance, as many as six blooms being sometimes 
produced on one spike. The sepals and petals are of a rich shining brown tipped — 
and edged with yellow, while the large expanded lip is yellow spotted with bright 
carmine, and having deep orange-yellow crests. It flowers in October and November 
when Orchids are in request, for it is then they make the dull months gay with 
floral charms, and these flowers last three or four weeks in beauty. 
We find this plant does well at the warmest end of the Odontoglossum house, 
and it thrives well in fibrous peat, with good drainage, a moderate supply of water 
being given at the roots during the growing season. When the growths are completed 
less water will serve, just enough being given to keep the pseudobulbs in a plump 
state. It is a free-flowering plant, and is also free in producing its handsome 
spikes of flowers. These plants must be kept near the glass so as to receive all 
the light possible; but they should have a thin shading during periods of hot 
sunshine as they are not able to endure the sun’s piercing rays during the hottest 
part of the summer, the foliage being susceptible of injury from scorching. 
The same treatment applies to O. Insleayi, that is given to other Odontoglots. 
~ 
Orcutp Cutrurr; Taxixe Counsen.—It is a mistaken notion to think that because 
one can grow a few Orchids well, one knows all about them, and does not require 
to be further enlightened on the subject. We generally find those to fail who think 
so. And why? Because their opinion of themselves is so good that they never 
ask the advice of others. There can be no disgrace in acquiring knowledge, 
especially on the part of those who are not sufficiently instructed ; and when fresh — 
knowledge is attained, if judgment, perseverance and observation are employed — 
in the application of it success will surely follow. No one can le perfect in all — 
the branches of plant culture. A great deal depends on the situation in which — 
the houses are placed; also on the locality. In taking advice be careful to weigh it 
well in your own mind before acting upon it. We have seen many failures result from 
taking advice which was not sound, especially in the case of beginners, and our — 
recommendation, therefore, is not to hasten to adopt any new method of treating these 
valuable plants, without first consulting some good practical and experienced 
cultivator. There is a great difference in individuals. Some gentlemen get | 
new ideas from newspapers or from books, and tell their gardeners, who have 
to obey orders, to follow them; and if the treatment proves a failure the 
gardener gets the blame, while if it is successful the employer takes the credit. 
The better plan is for the employer to consult with his gardener on what he na 
heard or read, and thus by bringing each other’s experience to bear on the subject 
a satisfactory conclusion may be hoped for. This is the way our employer used to 
treat us :—We discussed fully the object we had in view. If we saw a plant cultivated — 
better by one grower than another we were always glad to be able to talk the 
subject over, and find out the circumstances that led to the successful result, and after 
holding this consultation upon the subject. we generally succeeded.—B. 8. We 
