26 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
they should be plunged in a bed of leaves and never allowed to become dry. 
The protection even of a cold frame is not to be recommended. Among 
others I noticed Odontoglossum Reichenheimii, Cymbidium eburneum, 
Lelia harpophylla and L. pumila Dayana, all very pretty Intermediate 
house Orchids. The best way to establish these imported Orchids is to 
trim off all inert matter and prop them in an upright position on a moist 
Stage. Moisten the old roots occasionally, but keep the water away from 
the leaves and bulbs. Soon new roots will begin to push forth, when they 
should be potted up, so that the roots enter at once into the compost. 
Oncidium varicosum, O. dasytyle, O. concolor, O. Marshallianum, and 
Odontoglossum crispum, are all Cool house Orchids, the Oncidiums all 
succeeding best if suspended near the glass. Leelia majalis, L. autumnalis, 
and Epidendrum nemorale are Mexican house kinds, and grow best exposed 
to strong light. Oncidium sarcodes and O. Cavendishianum are plants for 
the Warm house, and should be suspended with the warm Dendrobium. 
Cattleya intermedia should be grown warm during the winter. Cattleya 
citrina was also noticed, but this is an Orchid which we cannot grow well 
for more than two or three years in Birmingham. It is one of those kinds 
that delight in a clear atmosphere during winter, because it is then making 
its growth, and should on that account be kept rather warmer than 
intermediate. The brighter the skies the longer will this species last in 
good condition. 
Speaking of auction sales reminds me of a question once asked, to this 
effect :—‘‘ Were they a means of increasing the popularity of Orchids, or 
the reverse?” Having provincial sales in my mind, and after looking at 
all sides of the question, I come to the conclusion that they are more detri- 
mental than otherwise. Purveyors to such sales doubtless in the long run 
stand in their own light. An Orchid not worth flowering, or one requiring 
many years of the most careful cultivation, should not be purchased. But 
how are new beginners to know that such is the case ? They hear but one 
side; let me here give the other. It is possible to go to a sale and buy 
really serviceable plants at a moderate figure. The novice, however, not 
knowing their value, generally let these slip by, and is induced to buy at a 
trifling less cost plants that are practically worthless, on account of their 
being botanical curiosities, or small weakly stuff. “* Well, let them pay for 
their experience.’ Just so! but not too dearly, as this is just where the 
mistake is made. If it could be recorded how Many promising amateurs 
had relinquished the cultivation of Orchids in the past owing to a false 
Start, we should endeavour to avoid its occurrence in the future. I would 
recommend amateurs not to crowd their Orchid houses with worthless 
plants, that may never flower, even though they came cheap. Throw them 
away, and purchase at the proper cost sound, healthy stuff, guaranteed by 
the seller to flower in a reasonable time. . 
