THE ORCHID REVIEW. 117 
to prevent these is to dust the young spike, even before it is out of the axil 
of the leaf, with tobacco powder, and again after it has grown a bit longer. 
No thrip or fly will then attack it, and slugs are chary about doing so. 
Oncidium concolor is, I notice, sending up its spikes, and a brighter little 
species for its size it is hard to find. It succeeds best when grown in small 
pans or baskets, suspended in the Cool house during summer and in the 
Intermediate house in winter. 
The mention of the genus Oncidium reminds one that a great deal 
might be said and written on them. Those who attempt their cultivation 
soon find out that it is not all straight sailing, for some few behave ina 
way that, to say the least, is very annoying. Oncidiums come from widely 
different latitudes and altitudes in tropical America, and necessarily require 
diverse treatment to grow them successfully. A well-appointed Intermediate 
house seems to answer the requirements of the majority of them very well. 
A few others delight in great heat—in fact, revel in the hottest of our stove 
houses; whilst a third small group show a decided preference for the 
coolest of our Orchid houses. 
Oncidium sarcodes is generally cultivated in intermediate temperature, 
though some declare that it does better in a stove. In any case, it seems 
difficult to maintain it long in a vigorous and healthy condition. I have 
found it to succeed best in the warmest end of the Intermediate house, 
Suspended in rather a shady place if possible. If nice, strong, newly- 
mported plants are purchased, they should be placed in pans or baskets, 
Just large enough to enable them to continue to grow in the same for 
several years without being disturbed. The crocks used for drainage should 
be broken up small, and the plants should be firmly secured in good, sound 
fibrous peat, also pressed down firmly and evenly. If any sphagnum moss 
be used, it should be but a small quantity, and that only about the surface, 
Water at first pretty freely to induce new and rapid root action. When 
“se new roots have got well hold ot the peat the plant will be nicely 
‘tablished, and will probably go on growing and doing well if due care in 
Watering be observed. It is in the watering that so much depends with 
these troublesome or difficult kinds. Careless or over-watering often upsets 
*ne’s calculations, and instead of the compost remaining in a sound and 
‘i Condition, and the roots firm and healthy, as they ought to, the 
ss re becomes sour, and the latter, of course, perish. The plant then has 
., ‘Potted, an operation which, owing to its then greatly reduced 
Mitality, it rarely survives for long. When the roots have got well hold of 
~ Peat in which they are growing, an exceedingly small amount of water is 
a. for once they are fairly established in this solid mass of peat, it is 
i bs a how they continue to branch out and grow, and to sustain the 
os ulbs and leaves above with vigour, and what a small amount of 
ae ee Ee a a ae See ie I eS Le bP Te tN ype 
