24 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
use loam fibre with a sprinkling of leaves and broken 
crocks entirely for Cypripedium insigne and others of the 
green-leafed class, and also for Calanthes, Phaius, Zygo- 
petalums, and other plants. 
In preparing the peat for use in potting, the bracken 
rhizomes should be set aside to place as a layer over the 
crocks, with a little Sphagnum-moss. Bracken rhizomes 
have been used with advantage instead of crocks to form 
drainage for Odontoglossums, and some growers like it 
so much for that purpose that the horticultural sundries- 
men supply it sterilised in bags. 
The methods of potting and choice of material vary 
with different growers, each pursuing in some matters dif- 
ferent methods to those observed by others. It is desirable 
that an Orchid grower should endeavour to find out the 
best methods for his own circumstances and, if the results 
are satisfactory, that he should adhere to them, for there 
is no more prolific cause of failure than in continually 
trying experiments recommended by others. The operation 
of potting or basketing Orchids is very simple, and can be 
readily learned by observation. The aim should be to 
avoid injuring the living roots but to leave the plant firm 
in the pot. 
BASKETS AND POTS 
It is more in accordance with nature to grow epiphytal 
Orchids of convenient size in baskets to be suspended from 
the roof of the Orchid house, and in the case of subjects 
reputedly difficult to grow the best results are often at- 
tained in this way. At the same time, this is due as much 
to the plants being placed near to the glass of the roof, 
