142 THE ORCHID REVIEW. (Yulee, sth | 
Charlesworth’s Objet d’Art to S. Gratrix, Esq. Gardener’s Prize to 
Mr. J. Howes. 
Cypher’s Gold Medal to R. Ashworth, Esq. Gardener’s Prize to Mr. 
S. Davenport. 
Dr. Craven Moore’s Silver Cup to R. Ashworth, Esq. Gardener's 
Prize to Mr. Davenport. 
A. R. Hanmer’s Silver Cup to R. Ashworth, Esq. Gardener’s Prize to 
Mr. Davenport. 
McBean’s Silver Trophy to R. Ashworth, Esq. Gardener’s Prize to 
Mr. Davenport. 
P. Smith’s Prizes to Messrs. S. Davenport, C. Branch, and J. Lupton. 
The Secretary is pleased to report that the meetings during the coming 
session will be héld as usual, also the competitions, several of’ the prizes 
having been promised. The complete list will appear in the members 
cards, as before, in due course. It is thought advisable that the reports shall 
be sent out monthly instead of fortnightly as previously. 
WILLOW ROOTS AS SUBSTITUTE FOR PEAT.—A note at p- 128, on the use 
of willow roots as a potting material for Orchids recalls a record of a quartet 
of a century earlier (O.R., iii. p. 21), and we should be glad to know 
whether others have tried the materials, and, if so, with what sucess. Mr. 
A. Annandale then wrote, “I send you by post a sample of willow roots, 
which I have used for the past two years, in conjunction with sphagnum 
moss, for potting Orchids, with the greatest success; finding it superior 0 
peat, fern root, or any other substance of like nature. I am not aware that 
it has been used previously, and it was only by chance that I discovered it. 
I have a number of willow trees whose roots find their way through the 
banks into a small stream, and for a number of years these roots have been 
regularly cut to prevent it choking the flow of water. As my gardener bi 
not satisfied with the peat he was able to obtain in the district, owing tol 
deficiency in fibre, I suggested he should try the willow roots, and now, 
after two years’ trial, he is satisfied that no better substance could be 
obtained, as the Orchids have thriven in a way they never did previously: 
The advantages appear to be that perfect drainage is secured ; that the fibre 
does not become sour or rot ; and that the roots of the Orchids take tot 
most kindly, penetrate it, and grow freely, and show no symptoms of decays 
although potted for a long time. It also seems to retain a sufficiency 
Nothing further appears to have been heard about the matter, 
rather curious, and now that pottiug materials are 30 scarce it would ? 
interesting if further experiments could be made. 
of : 
Ll 
moisture in conjunction with the sphagnum longer than other we : 
which 
