54 ORCHIDS. 



parts filled with clean-washed potsherds and lumpy charcoal ; 

 using live sphagnum only for placing a few of the lower roots 

 in, leaving the majority of them to ramble free in the air. 

 The old material should be very carefully washed out from 

 the tangled roots in a tub of soft tepid water, and then the 

 plant set on a layer of moss pressed firm on the top of the 

 crocks, keeping the base of the stem well above the rim, and 

 working the sphagnum gently but firmly in among the roots. 

 Finish off with a neatly placed layer of live sphagnum, and 

 secure the shoots to stakes which have been fixed firmly among 

 the drainage as it was filled in. The material being used in 

 a moist state, no water will be required at the roots luitil the 

 plant begins to grow, but the atmosphere must be constantly 

 kept saturated with moisture till the plants have expanded 

 their flowers and finished growing, giving water copiously at 

 the roots while growth is taking place. Care must, however, 

 be taken not to allow water to fall on the flowers after they 

 begin to expand, as it is liable to cause irreparable mischief. 

 From the end of September to early in April a drier and 

 more airy atmosphere should be maintained, and less water 

 given at the roots, just sufl3.cient to prevent any shrivelling 

 of the leaves. As a rule, the months of March and April are 

 the best for shifting all epiphytal orchids, Aerides included ; 

 and as the latter are natives of tropical regions in the Old 

 World, they thrive best in the East-Indian house. 



ANGK^CUM. 



This is a beautiful genus of interesting epiphytal orchids, 

 the characteristic feature of which is the peculiar long tail-hko 

 spur depending from the flower. The most esteemed for exhi- 

 bition are A. eburneum, A. Ellisii, and A. sesquipedale. These 

 are all natives of Madagascar, and consequently require to be 

 grown in the tropical or East-Indian house, and the treat- 

 ment described for Aerides suits them admirably. In their 

 seasons they are highly effective specimens for exhibition, 

 and the curious long drooping " tails " of the beautiful flowers 

 are always an object of great attraction to the public. 



