ORCHIDS FOR ROOM DECORATION. 43 



gardener sprinkled water over it along with the other plants. Next 

 morning I was shocked to see the flowers all with brown spots and 

 withering. On the 18th May I took it back to Mr Veitch, still in full 

 bloom (seven spikes), to bear testimony to its condition, and it 

 lasted, though then much injured, a week on the stand by the seed- 

 room in their place. This experiment induced me to try again. On the 

 1 8th December, 1861, I brought down to this place two fine plants of 

 the Ly caste, and two plants of Barheria Skinneri, both in full bloom. 

 Having been absent (with the exception of three days in January) since, 

 I have had no control over them, but my sister followed the same plan 

 as at Hillingdon, only with the Barherias, which are attached to blocks, 

 dipping the whole block into the water for a few minutes every four or 

 five days, according as we have much or little sun, and as the plants are 

 now before me I give you their condition. One of the Barlfericts is as 

 perfect as the day I brought it here ; the other has all gone oS" within 

 the last few days. One Lycaste is perfect, and as beautiful as the day I 

 brought it here ; the other has lost one flower, I fear by some accident, 

 the other flower still good, but evidently a little ' shady ' ; this plant has 

 two flower stems coming on, and would bloom in a fortnight if we pushed 

 them by more moisture. I expect frost has got on it after watering, for 

 it stands close to the window in the drawing-room, and this room, though 

 smaller, is similarly treated to th6 one at Hillingdon — fires in the after- 

 noon and evenings, with a southern aspect. What a treat to me is this, 

 and I think you should know it, for people have said — ' I love Orchids, 

 but hate the stew-pans one has to view them in.' 



" It is clear that for Lycastes and Barherias ' stew-pans ' may be 

 dispensed with. Plenty of Orchids like these are to be found in our 

 gardens, brought from the Highlands of Mexico and from Central 

 America. It is also probable that mountain species of India, such as the 

 delicious Goelogynes, will thrive under the same treatment, and, if so, one 

 more class of enjoyments is provided for the lovers of flowers. 



" kSurely this is news worth telegraphing through the whole 

 horticultural world ! What a charm for a sick-room ! What a pet for 

 the poor invalid who has nothing to love except her flowers ! Imagine 

 the pleasure of watching the buds as they form, visibly enlarging from 

 day to day, until they reach the slow unfolding of the perfect blossomy 

 and then the delight at seeing it some morning, stimulated by even a 



