THE ORCHID REVIEW. 15 
AN IMPROVED ORCHID STAND. 
In the November issue of the Review, page 339, you describe “ An 
Improved Orchid Stand,” which appears to be a very good device, and 
although I have not seen the stand myself, still I am confident that 
something of the kind you describe would be much better than the 
inverted pot which is so often used. 
Amongst my plants there is a Cypripedium which had been placed 
with its pot upon another inverted pot and the latter placed upon a 
damp shelf and so left for a long time without being moved. One day 
when examining the plants on this shelf, it was found that the inverted 
pot was entirely filled with a light cobweb-like fungus, and further 
examination showed that the fungus had gone through the hole of the 
inverted pot, through that of the pot in which the plant grew, and had 
well filled up the drainge portion of the latter and attacked the roots 
of the plant. 
A prompt shaking out of the pot and a thorough washing of the 
roots and leaves saved the plant, but it had been damaged somewhat, 
and took some time to recover. 
Inasmuch as this was a fine Cypripedium insigne Chantinii, and 
the plant being now in flower, the value of such a stand as you describe 
was impressed upon me. 
Chicago. F. J. Le Moyne. 
MANURE FOR ORCHIDS. 
THE subject of Manure for Orchids has interested me for many years, and 
the results of my systematic and long continued practice of supplying 
ammonia to the atmosphere of all my Orchid-houses has brought about 
most beneficial and striking results, in the shape of beautiful green leaves, 
and the increased vigour of the plants. 
Twice in each week a mixture of soot and lime, in a liquid form, is 
poured on the cinder-covered stages of the Orchid-houses, in quantity pro- 
portionate to the cubic capacity of each house, namely, one gallon to each 
thousand cubic feet. Over the cindered stages the Orchids stand on 
wooden lattices, and the ammonia vapour circulates among the leaves and 
roots of the plants and permeates the whole house, and causes a faint smell 
of ammonia to be perceptible, Care must be taken that too much of the 
soot and lime is not put down, or harm may be caused to the leaves of the 
plants. No damage can possibly happen if no more than one gallon of the 
liquid be used for each cubic feet of air space. The best time for putting 
down the ammonia liquid is in the evening, just after the stages and floors 
