84 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
prepare for the following season’s growth, which commences about the 
beginning of March. 
Habenaria militaris is an Orchid which has proved to be of the 
easiest cultivation when its requirements are properly understood. 
would recommend all Orchid lovers to try again with this beautifil 
plant, as it is deserving of every attention, not only as a decorative 
plant, but also for cutting. 
The following method of culture has, with us, yielded eminently 
satisfactory results. In the first place, use pots as small as possible; 
those generally termed long thumbs being preferable for the largest ani 
Strongest tubers. These tubers will be from two to three inches ia 
length, and the pots about four inches deep. Secure the drainage by 
putting a sound piece of crock over the hole at the bottom, then plac 
the tuber in the centre of the pot, keeping the crown about half an inch 
below the rim, and filling half way up with clean broken crocks, so tht | 
when re-potted, part of the tuber will be in the crocks and part in the | 
compost. Over the drainage place a thin layer of sphagnum moss, and fill | 
up with the following compost, just covering the top of the tuber. Ore 
half should consist of good fibrous peat, loam, and moss, in equal pit 
portions, the other half of broken pieces of crocksherds about the sized! 
a pea and smaller, adding a sprinkling of coarse silver sand, mixing tht 
whole well together, and potting moderately firm. One shift will ®) 
sufficient for the season. I need scarcely remark that the smaller the 
— 
to change colour, when less water will be required, and the quanti 
Should be gradually diminished until the leaves and stem have compl” | 
died down. Do not cut the stem off when decaying ; if left alone it 
naturally fall away. 4 
During the resting period, keep the pots on a dry shelf close * . 
roof glass, in the same house in which they were grown, but o 7 
account allow the compost to remain dry for any great length of 7 
as over-dryness will cause the tubers to shrivel, in which cas : t 
