138 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [Sept.-Ocr., 1919. 
humble opinion, to bring them to perfection. A monthly calendar of work 
to be done has also been added ; this will call the attention to those objects. 
which otherwise might escape the recollection. I offer these with the more 
confidence, having had another year’s experience since I printed my 
catalogue. My plants have increased in health, size, and vigour, and are 
generally progressing to what may, with truth, be called specimen plants. 
I have every reason to believe that my plants are correctly named, having 
had the advantage, through the kindness of Dr. Lindley, of consulting him on 
every occasion of doubt, and I believe it will be admitted there is no better 
authority on all matters connected with Botany or Horticulture. He very 
justly remarks, ‘ there will be no certainty in the cultivation of Epiphytal 
Orchidacez until we become more precisely acquainted with the habit of 
the different species than we now are.” - 
The author then gavea division of the family for cultural purposes, a large 
epiphytal class and a much smaller terrestrial one, the former being sub- 
divided as follows :—First, those species found in low dense woods, where 
scarcely any sun can penetrate. Second, those growing on trees near to 
open breaks in the woods, where they receive a little sun, plenty of light, 
and a free but damp atmosphere. Third, those growing on single trees in 
damp but exposed situations. Fourth, those growing on single trees in 
elevated situations, where they are subjected to a drier air, and the burning 
trays of the tropical sun. He then proceeded to describe what he regarded 
as suitable treatment for the different classes, and his remarks upon the 
seasons of growth and rest, ventilation and watering, and of the importance 
of rational treatment are quite in advance of their time. 
As regards natural conditions he remarks: ‘‘ The want of success, partic- 
ularly with new plants, in our gardens is for the most part occasioned by 
our ignorance of their natural soil, climate, and station, and thus success is 
often a mere chance instead of real knowledge. Many gardeners have enter- 
tained the erroneous opinion that all tropical plants should be kept in con- 
stant vegetation, as it they enjoyed an eternal summer. This is a wrong 
notion, for there also vegetation is arrested, although only fora short period; 
some trees lose their foliage, and even evergreens remain in a dormant state- 
It is therefore necessary that we should iti our hothouses create -a certain 
period of rest, that the plants may prepare themselves for new growth, 
without which they will not produce their flowers, 
Three modes, he remarked, had been recommended for the growth of 
epiphytes. First, in sandy fibrous peat, broken into lumps and mixed with 
pieces of sand stone or potsherds. Second, suspended from the roof of the 
house in baskets made of oak, hazel, or elder branches, filled with sphagnum, 
lumps of peat and potsherds, and in some Species pieces of half rotten 
wood, which should not be of a resinous nature. Third, by fastening them 
