1 66 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 



great quantities of remnants of animal life in all stages of decomposition 

 under the plant. Now, if this takes place on the trees,' how much more 

 does it not take place on the ground, in countries where vegetation and 

 animal life are so rank and prolific, with the result that the plants absorb 

 the greatest variety and quantity of food already prepared in a gaseous 

 form ; hence it is easily explained why plants growing on the naked 

 bark of a tree trunk are just as luxuriant as those that happen to be 

 placed in positions where different matter accumulates round the plant. 

 The surrounding atmosphere is the store-house from which these plants 

 absorb the matter just mentioned, and I may add that the endless process 

 of decomposition in those regions does not mean a few kinds of leaves* 

 but every imaginable kind, as well as animal life. 



" In a greenhouse, however, things are different ; inside its glass roof 

 there is absolutely nothing in the way of vegetation, or animal life, to 

 decompose and form the nourishment which these plants enjoy in their 

 countries of origin. Besides, in culture, we do not want Orchids to 

 send their roots several feet from the baskets or pots looking for nourish- 

 ment ; our aim is to keep the roots at home in the pot or basket, and 

 this they will do, and only will they do so when they have enough 

 nourishment in the compost, when they rarely go outside. On the other 

 hand, or whenever starved, the roots are liable to roam about for yards, 

 while the plant and its flowers are rarely perfect. 



" Peat and moss, necessary as they are for us here, contain but little 

 food, except when fresh ; add to this repeated doses of clean water, and 

 we have, more or less, all that is done to these plants; is there then 

 any wonder so many complain that the epiphytal Orchids are short lived? " 



Mr. Chas. H. Totty makes some very similar remarks with respect 

 to the American climate and method of watering, remarking also on the 

 wide differences in the texture of different leaf-moulds, and its limitations. 

 For example, the use of leaf-mould necessitates culture in pots, which must 

 stand on the stage, and thus fewer plants can be accommodated than 

 when some are grown in baskets or on fern stumps, and suspended. He 

 also remarks that plants cultivated in Belgian leaf-mould, though in fair 

 condition when received, showed very limited root action. 



As to American methods he states that they have in America a fine 

 grade of peat which is an excellent potting medium, and which is used pure 

 for Cypnpedes and such like things, leaving it low in the pots so as to 

 permit of a top-dressing later. For Cattleyas the hard fern root-the core, 

 which cannot be pulled apart-is chopped into pieces large enough to fit 

 be basket or pan, and then pounded into the receptacle, and the Cattleya 



rely thereon. This is 



the method of potting imported plants. 



