THE ORCHID REVIEW. 79 
centre of the pot. The soil should be thoroughly decomposed, and should 
consist of 30 per cent. of oak-leaves, 15 of white beech, 15 of alder, 15 of 
ash, 15 of red beech, and ro of coarse white sand. The exact proportion of 
each of these elements to be applied to one or the other kind of epiphytal 
Orchids cannot be indicated with precision, but has to be found out by 
experience. The essential point in this method of culture is to place the 
plants as far as possible under circumstances which answer best to the 
natural conditions under which they are found in a wild state, and to 
water very carefully, avoiding every excess, as this compost is more 
retentive of moisture than the usual one of fibrous peat.” —Extract from a 
paper entitled ‘‘ Orchid cultivation in Belgium,” read at the Kew Gardens 
Mutual Improvement Society, on January 29th, by Mr. A. H. Prehn. 
MANCHESTER AND NORTH OF ENGLAND ORCHID 
, SOCIETY. 
A MEETING was held in the Coal Exchange, Manchester, on February Ist, 
1900, when there was a very fair display for the season. The members 
Present were :—Dr. Hodgkinson, in the chair, Messrs. W. Duckworth, J. 
Cypher, W. Holmes, C. Parker, and P. Weathers. 
J. Leemann, Esq., Heaton Mersey (gr. Mr. Edge), showed Cattleya 
Triane picturata (A.M.), Dendrobium nobile virginale, an extra fine 
specimen of this beautiful albino (F.C.), a Cypripedium seedling apparently 
derived from C. Rothschildianum and C. Curtisii, and thus a form of C. xX 
A. de Lairesse, C. X Leeanum giganteum xX Bruno (A.M.), C. villosum 
giganteum, and C. X Germinyanum ccerulescens. Other good things were 
also included in the group, to which a Silver-gilt Medal was awarded. 
W. Duckworth, Esq., Flixton (gr. Mr. Tindall), showed a plant of the 
pretty Dendrobium xX Curtisii (A.M.). 
Thomas Baxter, Esq., Morecambe (gr. Mr. Roberts), showed a fine 
specimen of Dendrobium xX Cassiope (Cult. C.) and a very nice group of 
Odontoglossum crispum varieties, well grown and flowered, for which he 
received a Vote of Thanks. 
Mrs. Gratrix, Whalley Range (gr. Mr. McLeod), showed Cypripedium 
x Leeanum Clinkaberryanum (A. M.), and C. x Thompsoni (F.C.). 
Mr. James Cypher, Cheltenham, showed Cypripedium xX Woottoni 
(A.M.), and Dendrobium x Ethel, the latter resulting from D. moniliforme 
x D. X Rolfez roseum (A.M.). 
Mr. John Robson, Altrincham, showed Cypripedium insigne Dormanii. 
Mr. R. Eichel, Bingley, showed Cypripedium X Henry Graves, 
C. superbiens, and C. insigne Ernesti. 
At the meeting held on February 22nd, there was again a very good 
