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somewhat larger flowers, wholly of a rich light green, oblong, considerably 
longer and narrower sepals, the dorsal one with seven nerves only; ovate and 
somewhat obtuse petals; a far more fleshy lip, with smaller, obtuse side lobes, 
each bearing a stout midrib, and an acute and erect front lobe; a longer column 
(8 */, to g lines long) with far more curved antennae. 
C. Imschootianum is a new and distinct addition to the series of curious forms 
already known in the strange genus Catasetum, of which the present work has 
figured the more remarkable species in the preceding volumes. It has been intro- 
duced from Brazil by L’Horticurture INTERNATIONALE, of Brussels, through 
their collector Mr. Ft. Crazs. A plant shown at a meeting of L’OrcHIDEENNE, on 
November 19 last, bore several dense spikes of thirty to thirty-five flowers; it was 
awarded a First-class Diploma of Honour. 
A. Coaniaux. 
(Continued from page 40.) 
I think that Orchids in general do as well in the one country as in the other, 
but Odontoglossum Alexandrae is an exception. Clearly, the Belgian has the 
advantage in the climatic and other conditions; at the same time, I cannot say 
what those conditions exactly are, being merely a cultivator of Orchids. It may 
be that the air is purer, or it may also be that it is less pure than in these 
islands. My opinion is, that the climate is better adapted for Orchids, the air 
containing some kind of nourishment for Odontoglossum Alexandrae in Belgium 
which is lacking here. In the former country the atmosphere is charged with the 
gases arising from decaying animal and vegetable matter, and this is not so in 
England, at least to the same extent; and in my humble opinion, and especially 
in and near large towns, the air is impregnated to a high degree with chemical 
gases instead. 
The soil in that part of Belgium where I resided (Ghent) is pure sand, and 
it consequently absorbs and gives off moisture very rapidly. The gardens and 
fields must be manured for each crop, otherwise the returns will be small. The 
manure is thrown over the land in a liquid form, and is, of course, quick in its 
action on plants. The principal manure used is night-soil, which is collected 
at midnight by tens of thousands of carts kept for the purpose, and it is taken 
from the towns to all parts. The crops obtained are marvellous—better than any 
I have seen on the best English loams. The value of this fertilising agent is 
known in Belgium, and made use of; it is also known in England, but the 
system of drainage employed by us diverts it into the sewers, often to the 
enormous detriment of our streams. The question is, if our sewerage system will 
not eventually prove to be a costly blunder and a national calamity. 
(To be followed on p. 44.) 
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