AND THEIR MANAGELIENT. 385 



Oncidium. 



from ver}- small to large and showy ones ; the arrange- 

 ment and relative sizes of the different parts of the 

 flower are equally diversiiied, and the colour ranges from 

 yellow (the predominating hue) to brown, purple, white, 

 and green. 



The charm of the Oncidiums lies in their generally 

 large spikes of bloom, their bright, attractive colours, and 

 the beauty or peculiarity of the form of their flowers. 

 The Butterfly Orchid (c). Papilio), \vith its singular form 

 and rich coloration, so delighted the late Duke of Devon- 

 shire when he saw it in flower at Chiswick, soon after its 

 first introduction, that he determined to form a special 

 collection of Orchids at Chatsworth. This set the fashion 

 of Orchid-growing that is now so pre\-alent. 0. crispiiin, 

 O. Forbesii, 0. Lanccaiiinii, O. macrantliuin, 0. Mars/inlli- 

 anuin, O. tigriniiiiu and 0. varicosuiii, are amongst the 

 most effective Orchids grown for exhibition. Even the 

 smaller and less showy kinds are possessed of beauty and 

 interest that entitle them to a place in all good collections. 

 Moreover, the flowers remain fresh for a ver}- long time, 

 and are often fragrant. 



Culture. — Their wide range of distribution, and the dif- 

 ference in regard to the climatic and atmospheric conditions 

 in which they grow wild, make it impossible for gardeners 

 to accommodate all the popular Oncidiums in one house. 

 The few distinctly tropical species, represented by 

 0. Jonesianum, O. Laiiccivunn, and O. Papilio, can only be 

 grown in a hot, moist stove, where they must remain all 

 the year. A considerable number of others require the 

 temperature of the intermediate-house, with moisture at 

 all times. The great bulk of the cultivated species may, 

 however, be grown in the cool-house, or greenhouse, with 

 treatmerit similar to that recommended for the Odonto- 

 glossums. The largest and most robust-growing species 

 may be planted in well-drained pots or pans, in a mixture 

 of peat and sphagnum. For others, pots, baskets, rafts, or 

 blocks are used, according to the supposed requn-ements of 

 the different kinds. It is not, however, very material which 

 is adopted, provided such important conditions as moisture, 

 sweetness, ventilation, and freedom from insects, are not 

 neglected. Paliimbina and Cvrtocliilum are now included 



with this genus. 



2 C 



