ON ORCHIDS. 



615 



is likely to turn up from an importation of this plant. This gives 

 the humble purchaser proportionately equal chances with the 

 expert and with those who buy in quantity. Fig. 396 represents 

 O. crispum Frantz Masereel, one of the most beautiful of the 

 spotted forms; Fig. 397 shows O. Andersonianum (D. B. 

 Crawshay's variety), considered to be one of the finest of its 

 section ; Fig. 398 represents O. exallans, a natural hybrid (also 

 artificially raised) between O. Pescatorei and O. triumphans. 

 0. excellans (Rosslyn 

 var.) is undoubtedly the 

 finest that has yet been 

 seen. 



Odontoglossums re- 

 quire a temperature of 

 5odeg. at night, with 

 free ventilation when- 

 ever the temperature 

 rises above 55deg. and 

 the outside conditions 

 permit. The potting 

 compost should consist 

 of peat and moss in 

 equal proportions, and 

 well-drained pots should 

 be used. The plants 

 require to be kept in a 

 fairly moist condition 

 throughout the year, as 

 they are almost per- 

 petually in a state of 

 activity, and flower at 

 different seasons. Where 

 a house can be devoted 

 to the culture of the 

 different species of 

 Odontoglossum it would 

 be difficult to enter it 

 at any season of the 

 year without finding 

 something in flower. 

 The exquisite beauty of the different species and the durability 

 of the flowers cannot be too highly praised ; in fact, the vvhole 

 genus Odontoglossum is worthy of the first place in the con- 

 sideration of all lovers of Orchids. Among the most suitable 

 kinds for the consideration of the intended cultivator are 

 0. crispum, O. cirrhosum, O. Andersonianum, O. Edwardii, 

 0. gloriosum, O. grande, O. Hallii, O. Harry anum, O. Pescatorei 

 (Fig. 399 shows O. P. Veitchii, a. unique plant in Baron 



Fig. 396. — Odontoglossum crispum 

 Frantz Masereel. 



