266 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
every year when the new ones are three-fourths developed. Cymbidium 
Lowianum grows well in the Odontoglossum house. 
In connection with the degeneration of Orchids under cultivation an 
interesting experiment is being made. Four plants, two each of O. crispum 
and O. Rossii, of about equal strength, have been selected for treatment 
with fertilising solutions, under the following conditions. Four soup plates 
are placed on the stage, each containing a group of three small inverted 
pots, on which the four plants above-mentioned are placed. One plant of 
each species is treated with a solution of carbonate of ammonia, at the rate 
of joz. to 4oz. of water, and the remaining pair are treated with sulphate of 
ammonia of the same strength. The solutions are poured into the plates 
and are renewed weekly, the object being to see whether any appreciable 
improvement can be detected in the plants treated. The plants are not 
watered with the solutions, but in this and other respects are treated the 
same as the other plants in the house. The experiment we believe was 
suggested by Dr. Smee’s papers on the Degeneration of Cattleyas, and it is 
too soon to speak of the results, but we may suggest that any benefit derived 
from the escape of volatile gases would probably extend to other plants in 
the house. : 
The development of diphyllous pseudobulbs among Cattleyas normally 
monophyllous was alluded to some time ago, and Mr. Crawshay pointed 
out two-leaved examples of Cattleya Warscewizii and Gaskelliana, and also 
of Lelia Perrinii and anceps, showing that the phenomenon is not at all 
rare. 
Perhaps the most interesting hybrid in the collection is the one 
mentioned at page 232 of our first volume, derived from Sophronitis 
grandiflora 2 and Lelia anceps Williamsii ¢, and also from the reverse 
cross, now known as Sophrolelia x Crawshayana. The plants have now 
made great progress, and are obviously intermediate between the parents, 
though they have not yet flowered. There is also a hybrid from 
Zygopetalum Mackayi ? and Z. Gautieri 3, which, though fifteen years old, 
has not yet flowered, though the delay is probably due to an accident 
which checked and nearly killed it. 
Among the more noteworthy plants in flower at this season may be 
mentioned fine examples of Lelia crispa and xanthina, Cattleya Gaskelliana 
Vanda suavis, some good forms of Odontoglossom crispum and Harryanum, 
O. Lindleyanum and others, also a nice healthy batch of Cattleya Dowiana 
in sheath. 
Speaking of Odontoglossum Harryanum reminds us of a peculiarity 
which may have been noticed before. Experiments in hybridising have 
been made with this, as with so many others, and it is curious to see the 
change which takes place in the flower as soon as fertilisation takes place. 
