SELECT ORCHIDS AT PRESENT IN CULTIVATION. 59 



the handle for suspending the plants from the roof. Galvanised 

 iron wire only should be used in making baskets, for any other 

 is probably injurious to the plants. 



The best kinds of wood for blocks are acacia, apple, pear, 

 plum, maple, hazel, or cork, if it can be obtained. The wood 

 should be cut into lengths suitable for the size of the plants ; 

 some copper nails should be driven in at each end, to which 

 should be fastened copper wire to form the handle ; wind the 

 wire round each nail, and leave the handle about ten inches 

 high. Small copper or galvanised iron nails, driven in on 

 the surface of the block, serve, by means of copper wire, to 

 fasten the plants on to the blocks. There are some imitation 

 blocks made with pottery ware, which are very neat, and last 

 a long time, but it is questionable if they are so congenial to 

 the plants as wood. The great advantage of growing Orchids 

 on blocks or in baskets, is that of being able to get the 

 plants near the glass, where they may reap the full benefits of 

 sun and light. 



SELECT OKCHIDS AT PKESENT IN CULTIVATION. 



N the following descriptions of all the best Orchida- 

 ceous plants now cultivated in our gardens, a general 

 account is given of the distinctive features of each 

 genus ; this is followed by a more particular description of 

 the individual species, together with an account of the mode of 

 treatment which I have found, after considerable experience, 

 best adapted to their successful cultivation. 



ACINETA. 



This genus comprises several species ; the most attractive 

 kiuds are, however, here specified. They should all be grown 



