Tre eORCH Tian Bae VEE W. 
VoL. XXX1_] FEBRUARY, 1923. [No. 356. 
NOTSssS 
NATIVE ORCHIDS OF CANADA.—I am _ particularly interested in our 
wild native Orchids, of which I have found 35 different kinds within a few 
miles of my house, this probably being a record, not only for Canada, but 
for the United States as well. I was glad to see the notes in the November 
issue, p. 322, concerning Epipactis latifolia and British Orchids, also on the 
extraordinary plants of Cypripedium pubescens and C. acaule album 
described on p. 334.—H. Mousley, Hatley, Que., Canada. : 
ORCHID CULTIVATION IN NEW ZEALAND.—From a letter recently 
received from Mr. Alfred R. Ragg, of Linwood, Christchurch, New 
Zealand, we learn that the cultivation of Orchids in his locality is rendered 
difficult on acccunt of the extreme temperatures experienced. During 
several days in October last a shade temperature of 80 degrees occurred, 
while at night time about five degrees of frost were registered. The 
Horticultural Society, of which Mr. Ragg has been chairman during the 
last twenty years, consists of about 500 members. 
INCLUSION OF LEAVES IN PotTinG Compost.—I think a word of 
warning is necessary regarding the use of leaves when potting large plants. 
With small seedlings I have always found the inclusion of a few chopped 
leaves useful in encouraging rapid growth, and this led me to experiment 
by using much larger quantities with fully-grown plants. The results have 
been very unsatisfactory, for owing to the fact that large plants usually goa 
full year, sometimes longer, without being repotted, the leaves decay in the 
course of a few months and cause the compost to become much too soft, so 
much so that in many cases I have had to entirely repot specimens at a 
time just before their flowering season. This has thrown them back a full 
year, and I question whether they will fully recover during the next season. 
I am still of opinion that a few leaves are useful, but my trouble has 
undoubtedly been brought about by using too large a quantity, and I wish 
to warn others of the probable results.—R.S.T. 
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