THE ORCHID REVIEW. 181 
beginner a word of warning may not be out of place. It will be noticed 
that the outer sheath which encircles the young bulb, especially at its base, 
clings so tightly to it as to prevent the ingress of air, causing over- 
abundance of moisture between the sheath and bulb. To counteract this, 
by allowing the moisture to evaporate, it is necessary to split open the 
sheath from top to bottom. If this operation be delayed the result will 
probably be that the new bulb will turn black, when it must be cut off 
immediately, or the plant will die altogether. After the sheath has been 
opened, if the bulb is sound, keep the plant rather dry at the root for a 
few days, but on no account give the ordinary resting treatment, or the 
bulbs would mature too quickly, and the plant would start again into fresh 
and weakly growth. 
The practice of putting Orchids when in flower into what is generally 
termed the show house is a dangerous one, and is often attended with 
injurious results. When the plants are taken from their hot and moist 
growing atmosphere, and placed in a dry, cool, and draughty house, they 
are very liable to suffer severely through the sudden change. No doubt 
the gathering together of different species and varieties of Orchids in bloom 
into one house, tastefully arranged with Palms and Ferns is both beautiful 
and effective, especially to the ordinary visitor. But to the grower and 
lover of these charming plants it is of far more interest and pleasure, when 
looking round a collection, to see both those that are in and out of flower 
together in their own departments. 
The beautiful dark blue Aganasia ccerulea is almost identical in colour 
with Vanda ccerulea, and, like that species, exceedingly difficult to cultivate 
for any length of time. The principal point to be attended to is to fasten 
the plants on blocks of wood, suspended near the roof glass of the Mexican 
house, or a hot, sunny position in the plant stove, and frequently syringe 
the roots and foliage when in a growing state. 
An Orchid of exquisite beauty now in bloom is Vanda teres, and up to 
Within a few years ago it was considered by many to be a very difficult 
Matter to get it to flower well. The principal requirements of this plant 
aré sun and water, and if placed in a hot sunny corner of the Mexican 
house, and well syringed five or six times a day during active growth, 
it will thrive luxuriantly and bloom profusely. If insufficient water be 
given the terete leaves will shrivel, and the lower ones drop off; but when 
§towth is completed less will suffice. Our plants are never subjected to ihe 
‘Severe drying off in winter that is generally advocated, but they receive 
Sufficient water at all times to keep the stems and leaves plump, and no 
trouble whatever is experienced in flowering them. Our method is to fasten 
five or six stems on to long upright teak rafts, with the rods at least one 
inch apart to allow a free circulation of air amongst the roots. The lower 
Part of the raft is then inserted into a pot, and firmly fixed with crocks, over 
