342 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
material is found in “hop pocketing’? or hop sacking. This being in 
lengths of about twelve feet by three feet wide is easily handled, and _ being 
close in texture, and more weighty than the ordinary garden mats, keeps as 
much frost off the glass, and is not blown off so readily. . 
Pleiones are amongst the few Orchids that have to be attended to this 
month. Most of the species are natives of India, being found growing on 
rocks in mountainous regions, and are commonly known as ‘ Indian 
crocuses.’” Few Orchids can be grown so easily, and with so little atten- 
tion, and amateurs who have to attend to the requirements of their pets 
personally will find in these willing subjects. Their flowering season 
extends from the end of September to the middle of November, and one 
species—P. humilis—blooms in the early spring, consequently with the 
following species the flowering season is extended to a considerable length, 
viz. :—P. maculata, P. lagenaria, P. precox (Wallichiana) and P. humilis. 
There are two or three other kinds, such as P. birmanica, P. Hookeriana, 
P. Reichenbachiana, &c., which, however, are not procurable in quantity, and 
even if they were, little would be gained, as they differ so slightly from the 
above well-known kinds. 
The system adopted here in re-potting them annually, and _ their 
subsequent treatment proves such an unqualified success that it deserves a 
detailed description. Soon after the flowers are over, the peculiar-shaped 
bulbs are taken from the old soil and freed from all unnecessary old, roots 
and the membranous covering, taking care during the process not to 
damage the young roots that are probably proceeding from the base of the 
new breaks. Until everything is in readiness place the pseudobulbs on a 
little moss in a cool plaee. Pans are the most suitable receptacles, the size 
depending on the quantity to be potted or the fancy of the grower. Those 
about eight inches in diameter are used here, as they hold a : larger body of 
rooting material, and consequently do not become dry so soon. Becoming 
dry is an advantage with most Orchids, but in this case it would be.a draw- 
back, for reasons which will become obvious as I proceed. 
The pans should be filled with drainage to within an inch-and-a-half of 
the rim, on which a layer of moss should be placed, to prevent the finer 
particles of the compost being washed into it. The compost consists of 
equal Parts of good fibrous loam and peat, a little chopped moss, a small 
quantity of powdered cow-dung, and sufficient sand to keep the whole 
porous when mixed together. When everything is in readiness, take a 
he tal only in he eps Eee ge 
ould be so disposed that the 
growths as they advance have plenty of room to develop, and when com- 
pleted will be placed evenly over the surface. The material should be 
- raised well above the edge of the pan and mounded slightly, though not too 
