THE ORCHID REVIEW. | 269 
Leaf-mould varies considerably in its properties according to the kind of 
leaves of which it is composed. Soft leaves, as those of the sycamore or 
horse-chestnut, are not suitable, as they decay too quickly, and the 
Belgian leaf-mould (terre bruyére) which is used so successfully for the 
culture of many plants is largely composed of hard leaves, which decay 
rather slowly. Mr. A. H. Prehn, in an article on ‘Orchid culture in 
Belgium ” gives the following as recommended by some Belgian growers. 
The soil, which should be thoroughly decomposed, should consist of thirty 
per cent. of oak leaves, fifteen of red beach, fifteen of alder, fifteen of ash, 
fifteen of red beech, and ten of coarse white sand. The exact proportion 
of each of these elements to be applied to one or the other kind of 
epiphytal Orchids cannot be indicated with precision, but has to be found 
out by experience. The essential point in this method of culture is to 
place the plants as far as possible under circumstances which answer best 
to the natural conditions under which they are found ina wild state, and to 
water very carefully, avoiding every excess, as this compost is more retentive 
of moisture than the usual one of fibrous peat. As to the method of procedure, 
he remarks that sufficient drainage is placed in the pot, and the plant is fixed 
upon the soil, which is slightly elevated to form asmall hill in the pot. 
The surface is then covered with a layer of living sphagnum. The neces- 
sary degree of moisture to retain the sphagnum always fresh is assured by 
syringing.—Orch. Rev., viii., p. 78. 
M. Duval et fils, of Versailles, also use a compost consisting largely of 
leaf-mould, and with great success, several houses being devoted entirely to 
Orchids, and M. Beuchel, chef de culture of the establishment has 
communicated’ to Die Gartenwelt particulars of the treatment. 
The compost used is a fibrous forest soil, consisting chiefly of half- 
decomposed leaves, and it is used just as it arrives, without intermixture 
with sand or any analagous substances. It is best to reject the fine earth 
which falls out when the large pieces are broken up, for otherwise the 
compost is not open enough, and therefore remains wet for too long a 
period, and thus causes the roots to perish. It is used both for established 
plants and for newly imported ones, and in much the same way as 
polypodium fibre. 
It may also be used for seed pans, but in this case the leaves should be 
cut a little, and a little chopped sphagnum should be mixed with the soil, 
to prevent it from being carried away by the watering, and, as it is indispens- 
able that the plants should be elevated above the edges of the pots, it 
should be surfaced with a thin layer of clean sphagnum, and in order that 
this sphagnum may hold well in its place it should be cut rather short, and 
moistened before putting it on. 
After repotting, it isa good plan to syringe the plants several times 
