144 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
with rose, a good O. gloriosum, a very large and handsome form of O. 
triumphans, and O. Rossii majus, prettily suffused with lilac and measuring 
3} inches from tip to tip to the petals, the whole forming a very charming 
little group. 
O. Hallii is flowering finely just now, and half-a-dozen flowers from 
different plants are sent from the collection of Joseph Broome, Esq., 
Llandudno. They vary much in size and markings, and one has a white 
lip with three irregular blotches round the crest, while the rest have yellow 
lips, more heavily marked. A raceme of the rare little O. crinitum is also 
sent. It is remarkable for having the whole disc of the lip densely covered 
with long, spreading, branched, hair-like filaments, nearly white in colour. 
Two fine, round forms of O. x excellens are sent from the collection 
of W. Thompson, Esq., Stone, one being darker in colour and more 
heavily marked than the other. Both are very beautiful. 
FEEDING ORCHIDS. 
WitTH reference to the question of feeding Orchids (Orchid Review, vii. 109), 
I may say that for several years, commencing before I knew of Dr. Smee’s 
views, I have used ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate (salt- 
petre), and have great belief in its value, if care is taken. I finda simple 
plan is to prepare a lot of packets each containing three ounces of 
potassium nitrate and two ounces of ammonium phosphate. As required, 
one of these is dissolved in a three gallon jar of soft water. 
In watering any Orchids when making their growth or flowering, one 
ounce of the solution is added to each gallon of the water used for 
watering. The trouble is almost nil, and there is no risk of using an 
excessive quantity, as the gardener has by him always a measure which 
exactly holds the required quantity for each can-full. I have no doubt 
whatever that potash and phosphoric acid are absolutely necessary for 
Orchids, and I think the results prove the value of applying them. 
NorMAN C. COOKSON. 
[We are pleased to find that this question of feeding Orchids has taken 
such a practical form. The quality of Mr. Cookson’s Orchids is wel] 
known, and the fact that he finds this practice beneficial is significant: 
We should, however, like to see a few selected plants tried with an 
without feeding for a couple of seasons, the treatment being identical in 
other respects, for it has so frequently been stated that manure in any 
shape or form is injurious in the long run, that we should like to see the 
matter thoroughly tested, especially upon Orchids which have a tendency 
to deteriorate under cultivation,—Ep.] 
