OECHIDS. 65 



baskets, which should be nearly filled with potsherds and 

 rough lumps of charcoal, with a layer of sphagnum laid over 

 them, on which the roots are placed, and filling in among 

 them a mixture of chopped sphagnum, potsherds, sandstone, 

 and charcoal. The material should be used more or less rongh 

 according to the size of the plant and capacit}- of the basket, 

 rounding it well up over the lip of the basket, and finishing 

 off with a neatly placed layer of live sphagnnm. 



ZYGOPETALUJI. 



A genus of handsome epiphytal orchids from Tropical Ame- 

 rica. Most of the species are tall-growing plants, sending up 

 terminal scapes bearing racemes of showy flowers. They bloom 

 during the winter, which makes them of value as decorative 

 plants, although not so useful for exhibition. Their bloom- 

 ing period can, however, be slightlv retarded by keeping the 

 plants in the cool end of the Cattleya house, and by introduc- 

 ing them to a cool house when in bloom they will stand fresh for 

 months. Some of the best species are Z. Macliayi, Z. ma:dUare, 

 and Z. rostratum. They should be grown in well-drained pots, 

 among fibrous peat and pieces of charcoal, which should be 

 covered over with live sphagnum. They should have plenty of 

 water when growing, but be kept moderately di-y when resting. 



JUDGIX(i. 



The chief points of merit in exhibition orchids ai-e : (1.) The 



abundance and quality of the flowers, which should be fully 



developed, fresh, large of their kind, of good substance, pure 



and bright in colour, and the markings clearly defined ; and 



(2.) the size and vigour of the plant, a hona fide specimen 



formed of a single plant taking precedence of a " specimen " 



made up of several plants, all other points being equal. 



In orchids, however, so much depends on the particular 



variety, and the conditions under which it is exhibited, that 



the knowledge and experience of the judge can alone decide 



their relative merits. 



E 



