4 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ JANUARY, IQII. 
be put into one sample bag. Small Orchids with bulbs can also be 
despatched in the same manner. 
‘Plants with tender, fragile rootstocks and stems should be carefully and 
firmly tied to sticks before wrapping them up, so as to avoid breaking them 
when being packed. The more carefully the packing is done, the more 
likely are the plants to arrive in good condition, even after a journey of four 
to eight weeks. 
‘“‘ Having put the packet in the sample bag, it is advisable to place a sheet 
of cardboard on each side, so that the plants cannot be damaged when the 
post-mark is applied. It is also necessary to ascertain beforehand the 
conditions under which they can be posted, and the limit of weight. Here, 
as is well known, the sample when ready for despatch must not exceed 350 
grains (124 ounces) in weight, otherwise it will not be accepted by the post- 
office officials. . 
“Tf circumstances permit, it is advisable to pack the small plants at once 
when taking them out of the ground, or very soon afterwards. This 
precaution is very essential when it is a question of thin-leaved Orchids 
without bulbs, such as Ancectochilus, Goodyera, Physurus, &c. The weight 
should also be immediately ascertained by means of a light pair of scales, as 
an excess weight can easily be avoided when packing. Should, however, 
the packing be only provisionally done and the packet afterwards untied, 
tender plants are easily damaged.” 
AN AMATEUR’S COLLECTION. 
WE commenced our collection of Orchids over seven years ago, and after 
seeing various collections purchased a batch of large plants of Odonto- 
glossum crispum from a well-known grower, afterwards adding batches: of 
various kinds of imported and semi-established plants from various sources. 
We have flowered a fair number of typical Odontos and hybrids, but it is 
more satisfactory to purchase some fine specimens and divide for propagation 
than to rely on imported plants. We have a Cool house (44ft. by oft), and a 
Cattleya house (25ft. by 15ft.)—both houses being entered from a corridor 
(16ft. by 5ft.), and which contains a potting and a work bench. 
The Cattleya house was erected eighteen months ago, and has a large 
centre box filled to the level of the brickwork with stones, rubble, &c., the 
shelves above being arranged in steps and filled chiefly with Cattleyas. A 
fair number of C. labiata are now in flower, also C. Mantinii from the 
Bank House collection, the pretty C. Mantinii nobilior, and a very deep 
form of C. Bowringiana. One plant of C. labiata has three immense 
flowers, of perfect shape and good colour, and measuring ‘six inches across 
the petals (not stretched out). The petals are 2? inches broad, the throat 2+ 
inches, and the lip 2 inches. Messrs. Keeling & Sons, from whom I got mine 
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