268 THE ORCHID REVIEW. — [Sepremper, rott. 
quickly, and until this is done, and the leaves commence to change colour, 
the plants will require plenty of moisture at the root. When well matured 
they should be placed with the Dendrobiums in the resting house, where 
they will need very little water during the winter months. 
PLEIONES.—Suspended from the roof in a light position, the members 
of this family have nearly completed their growths or pseudobulbs. They 
should be well exposed to the light, and as soon as the leaves commence 
to turn yellow the supply of water must be reduced, the soil being kept just 
moist so as to encourage the flowering growths. Immediately the foliage 
has fallen the flower buds will appear, and as the flowers commence to open 
the compost should be kept comparatively dry, and the plants removed to 
a cooler and drier temperature, where they will last much longer in bloom 
than if left in the damp, close atmosphere in which they were grown, and 
no harm to the plants can result: 
MASDEVALLIAS.—Although perhaps not grown at the present day as 
extensively as they deserve, few plants produce such showy and brilliantly« 
coloured flowers as M. Veitchiana, M. Harryana, and others of this class. 
Others are characterised by the singularity and quaintness of their flowers, 
such as M. gargantua, M. elephanticeps, M. ephippium (Trochilus), M. 
Mooreana, M: macrura and others, and well deserve a place in our 
collections. The present is a good time to overhaul any that have passed 
out of flower, and where a house is devoted to their culture, it should be 
thoroughly cleaned inside and outside before the plants are put back for the 
winter months. The compost I recommend for them is one part each of 
osmunda fibre, peat fibre, polypodium fibre, and sphagnum moss, mixed 
well together.. The stronger growers may have a small quantity of fibrous 
loam mixed with the compost, but unless this is of the best, is best left out. 
Pot moderately firmly, keeping the base of the plant about level with the 
rim of the pot, and be careful not to use too large-sized pots. Plants that 
are exhausted, or that have lost their roots, may be broken up and potted 
in small pots, and when well-established, if such appears desirable, they 
may be placed again in one receptacle. As with most Orchids, the critical 
time with these plants is during the first three or four months after root 
disturbance, it being a very easy matter to over-water them, causing them 
to lose their roots and deteriorate. M. tovarensis, M. Davisii, and others 
that flower in the winter should not be disturbed at this season, but are 
better done in February or somewhere about that time. These plants are 
best kept on the dry side during the dull winter months, but in no case 
must be allowed to suffer for the want of water, having no pseudobulbs to 
_ maintain them. — 
ONcrpiuMs.—Many varieties of these will be in flower, or pushing their 
‘spikes, and these should be staked, and watched carefully that slugs and 
SS a ee whee ee ee 
eager Sine ee, tM ee Fa 
