will dwindle away in time. ‘They are often brought home in abundance by our 
collectors, and sold cheap. 
We find the best method of cultivation is to place them on blocks of wood 
or in baskets in the Mexican house, using rough fibrous peat and_ live sphagnum 
moss, with plenty of drainage. They require but little potting material about 
their roots, but should have a liberal supply of water during their growing season, 
and when the growth is perfected just enough to keep them in a plump | state, 
They flower after their growth is completed. These plants require all the light 
possible, and they will stand a good deal of sun, but should have a slight shading 
during the hottest part of the day. They are best suspended from the roof at 
about a foot or eighteen inches from the glass. In their native country they are 
exposed to strong light, and yet get free circulation of air, which they enjoy, 
together with the moisture from rains and dews which helps to support them. 
OrcHIp ReEQuIREMENTS.—South America is no doubt a fine field for Orchid 
explorers. Many fine things are found in Brazil, such as Cattleyas, Leelias, Onci- 
diums, and others. Here the temperature varies according to the locality and the 
position in which the plants are located. We may learn a good deal from persons 
who have traversed these countries, but that is of no use unless we put the infor- 
mation thus obtained to practical use at home. Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and New 
Grenada are extraordinary countries for cool Orchids. The climate varies very much 
according to the elevation of the mountainous districts, where the Odontoglots and 
other cool species abound. In the low-lands the temperatures are different from 
those of the mountainous parts; these must be studied, and the requirements of 
the species that grow in the different positions must be found out. ‘Trees are often 
found covered with several species of different kinds, and it might be supposed these 
would all require the same treatment, but when we get them under cultivation it 
will most likely be found that they must have different positions in the house, 
one species having grown on the shady side of the tree, and another on the side 
that is exposed to the sun. When we receive imported plants we try them im 
different aspects and different houses, and we find there is an extraordinary difference 
in the progress of the plants.—B. 8. W. 
