THE ORCHID REVIEW. 251 
The species of Barkeria, as B. elegans, Lindleyana, Skinneri, and cyclo- 
tella, are well worthy of attention, their pretty spikes presenting a gay 
appearance during the dull season. They thrive best when fastened to teak 
rafts, upon which is placed some living sphagnum moss, and suspended close 
to the roof of the intermediate house, where they will get plenty of light but 
not actual sunshine. Barkerias, like many other Orchids, are very sensible 
as to their likes and dislikes, and when once the cultivator has found the 
place that suits them, he had better let them remain there. 
Now that plants of Miltonia vexillaria have commenced to grow, they 
may be repotted, but before this operation is commenced the grower should 
make quite sure that they are perfectly free from insects, by well washing 
the growths in some safe insecticide, and afterwards cleansing them in clear 
soft water. As these plants form numerous fibrous roots, which love to 
push their way in and out on the surface of the compost, they require a 
larger space to ramble in than is afforded to the majority of Orchids. There- 
fore use rather large, well-drained pots, placing the plants into a shallow 
compost of clean sphagnum moss, with a little fibrous peat and a fair 
sprinkling of small broken crocks. After repotting, water the plants very 
sparingly, using a fine rose watering-can for the purpose, and giving just 
enough to entice the sphagnum to grow. As the roots lengthen and lay 
hold of the sides of the pot, a more liberal supply of moisture will be neces- 
sary. The temperature of the cool house where they will get plenty of fresh 
air will be the most suitable place for them, until the nights commence to 
get chilly, when they should be removed to their former growing quarters 
in the intermediate house. 
Few groups of plants produce flowers of such brilliancy and variation in 
colour as Masdevallias, and why they are not more generally cultivated I 
am ata loss to understand. The majority of Masdevallias are amongst the 
most easily cultivated of all Orchids, and where a fairly representative col- 
lection is grown, and well managed, there are always some species in flower 
throughout the year. Such showy and gorgeous varieties as M. Veitchiana, 
M. ignea, M. coccinea and its many distinct varieties of the Harryana type, 
produce a splendid effect when intermixed with the charming spikes of 
Odontoglossum crispum. The dwarfer species, as M. caudata Shuttleworth, 
Arminii, hieroglyphica, Estrade, ludibunda, Wageneriana, and the hand- 
some garden hybrids M. x Courtauldiana and M. x Geleniana, all form 
pretty objects when covered with their elegant flowers. Another dwarf grow- 
ing species which deserves to be mentioned is the extraordinary M. muscosa, 
which is quite distinct from all others, especially in the sensitive lip, which 
Suddenly closes up on the slightest touch. A full account of the cones 
mechanism by which this is effected may be found in Messrs. Veitch s 
Manual of Orchidaceous Plants (part v- P- 55)- Some Masdevallias are 
grown principally for the singularity and quaintness of their flowers, as M. 
