38 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
and, with copious syringing, they soon develop their roots. Arundina 
bambusefolia is grown as a semi-aquatic plant, that is to say, partly 
plunged into water, and seems to do fairly well. 
Such plants as Cattleyas, Lelias, Oncidiums, &c., are mostly cultivated 
in baskets or pans, as in Europe. It might be interesting to mention that 
in my experiments a couple of dozen Cattleyas, of the labiata group, were 
submitted to open air culture, and have had the whole of our rains, and 
have stood, practically speaking, 70 inches of rainfall during the past 
season. No appearance of extra vigour could be noticed, and, as a matter 
of fact, plants which were at rest before the beginning of the rains have 
only started into growth during November. This shows what some 
Orchids can stand. 
It also seems to me that American Orchids, such as Cattleyas and 
Lelias, would be far more successfully introduced if they were firstly estab- 
lished in Europe and sent off while at rest. 
As previously mentioned, the cultivation of really tropical plants is 
extremely difficult in our plains, especially during the cold season. It 
might also be interesting to say a few words on the kind of conservatory 
into which such more delicate plants are grown. The original idea of such 
structures originated with Dr. Anderson, who for several years, was an 
officer of this institution. 
These conservatories, which are now found all over India, are built on 
the same principle, but greatly improved, as the PanBaris of the natives of 
India, in which the Betel Pepper is grown for the market. These native 
structures are generally built of bamboo, with flat thatched roof. Our 
conservatories are constructed of a framework of “tee”? and angle iron, 
enclosed and roofed with wire netting. The upright sides are covered with 
creeping plants, and the roof is covered with a thin layer of thatching grass- 
This layer is done in such a way as to procure as many interspaces aS 
possible. The object of such a covering is not to exclude light, but to 
afford a gentle shade, and, in some way, to prevent radiation from the 
ground at night. This has also the great advantage of admitting rain 
freely, and preventing it from striking the ground with such force, as out 
period of rain does not last much longer than three months, during which 
time the average rainfall varies, according to the last season, from €0 to 7° 
inches. 
A few glass-houses also exist, and are mostly devoted to the cultivation 
of plants which have to be rested during the rain. This latter structure is 
pretty much the same as our European ones, but more freely ventilated. 
Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta. Mole SOE ee 
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