ANOECTOCHILUS. 105 



As regards cultivation, the plants require sand and peat mixed with 

 moss. The white sandy ground from which they spring should be 

 enlivened occasionally by small growths of moss, which sets off the 

 plants to much advantage, especially when looked at through a bell-glass, 

 under which the delicacy, richness, and softness of their appearance are 

 increased. Few visitors walk through a house containing any of these 

 plants without bestowing on them more than ordinary attention, and 

 expressing admiration of their beauty. 



The whole of the species require treatment very different from that 

 given to any other Orchids, and different growers operate in different 

 ways, but we have not found any mode of management to succeed better 

 than the one first laid down by us many years ago, and which is being 

 followed by many who have Anoectochili growing in great perfection. 

 They are certainly difficult to cultivate, and many fail with them — a 

 circumstance we attribute to their being kept too close. The glass case 

 in which ther are grown should always have a little air, by tilting or 

 opening the glass about one or two inches ; this will benefit them very 

 much, and make them more vigorous, for when too much confined in the 

 case or bell-glass, thej" grow up spindty and damp off in the stem ; the 

 latter, being flesh}-, requires more substance and hardihood. AVe have 

 seen AnoectocMU grown in bottom heat, which we find to be injurious ; 

 they succeed in it for a time, but not long ; they grow too fast, and 

 become so weak as often to die altogether. Some few plants -which we 

 once had in bottom heat we removed to a cooler house without it, and 

 under cooler treatment they improved ver^- rapidly^. 



The finest collection we ever saw was under the care of the late ]Mr. 

 Toll, when gardener to the late J. A. Turner, Esq., of Manchester. Tbe 

 plants were grown under bell-glasses in the stove, but no bottom heat 

 was applied. Mr. Turner purchased a plant of each kind from us some 

 years ago ; these had been grown and propagated, and he had large pots 

 full of them, many plants of a kind being placed together. This shows how 

 well they may be grown without bottom heat. AVe have also seen them 

 doing well in other places without bottom heat ; in short, they may be 

 grown without having an Orchid house at all — any common stove will 

 do, or even a well-heated pit. We have frequently sold collections to 

 gentlemen who have no other Orchids, but who have bought these for the 

 express purpose of growing them for the decoration of the dinner-table. 



