270 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
daily during fine weather, so as to keep the sphagnum moderately wet, and 
this accelerates root growth. When the young roots begin to bury them- 
selves in the soil one can begin to water, at first moderately, increasing the 
amount in proportion as the roots develop. Provided that one works with 
some precaution, the plants push forward. well and vigorously. There is 
no need of manure, for the soil contains in itself many more nutritive 
substances than does polypodium fibre. 
It is necessary to carefully observe the time of rest, and particularly to 
see that the bulbs ripen and harden well, for these acquire, in this soil, a 
greater fleshiness than in polypodium and sphagnum. To secure this result 
it is necessary to give the plants plenty of air and sun after completion of 
the bulbs, and only sufficient water to prevent the leaves and bulbs from 
shrivelling. 
Vandas, Aérides, and Angreecums prosper greatly in this soil; neverthe- 
less, M. Beuchel does not advise this method of culture for these three 
genera, as they produce a vigorous vegetation, but far fewer flowers. 
All gardeners have not at their disposal a soil similar to the one men- 
tioned, but it can be easily replaced by a fibrous heather earth mixed with 
half-decomposed leaves. 
It is added that many of the plants thus cultivated were in a state of 
remarkable prosperity, particularly Cattleyas, Phaiuses, Cypripediums, 
Oncidiums, especially the Mexican ones, Lelia purpurata (superb), and 
many species of Dendrobium. 
AN AUSTRALIAN HYBRID. ’ 
It is interesting to hear from the Gardeners’ Chronicle of July 13th of an 
Australian hybrid Orchid. It is described and figured as Cymbidium 
Lowianum X eburneum (1901, xxx., p. 25, fig. 10), as follows :—‘‘ Although 
crosses have long been known in Europe between C. Lowianum and C. 
eburneum, in which both have figured as the seed-bearing parent, the one 
which we illustrate . . . . isthe first, so far as our knowledge goes, 
of a cross raised and flowered in Australia. According to information kindly 
furnished by Messrs. F. Sander & Co., of St. Albans, the seed of artificially 
fertilized flowers was sown by Mr. Godwin, gardener to John Hay, Esq., of 
the Crow’s Nest, North Sydney, in the month of July, 1896; and a plant 
of this sowing flowered in April of last year. As Mr. Sander remarks, ‘ it 
is evident that the climate of Australia is favourable to the raising of 
Orchids ; and, in fact, in this particular instance, a record is established in 
rapid growth.’ The flowers measured 54 inches across, which is quite equal 
to the standard size.” 
