308 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
plants show a remarkable state of vigour, and are making up in interest at 
present what they have suffered during the past few hot months. 
Miltonia vexillaria is grown here in quantity for cutting, and is at present 
making a gorgeous display, each growth producing two or three fine spikes 
of bloom. | 
One of the leading features. of the collection is the botanical Orchids; 
these are great favourites of Mr. Ames, and no pains has been spared to 
make this section as complete as possible. They are certainly very inter- 
esting when grown to perfection, as they are here. 
Hardy Orchids receive also due consideration, and at the new ‘‘ Oakes 
Ames” Botanic Garden—comprising over one hundred acres of ground— 
fitting locations have been selected to make their culture an assured suecess, 
and large patches of each species are being brought together with telling 
effect. 
R. M. G. 
SEEDLING ODONTOGLOSSUMS. 
THE following notes on Seedling Odontoglossums are extracted from a letter 
received from M. Ch. Vuylsteke, of Loochristi, Ghent, who, it may be 
remembered, has flowered three distinct hybrids during the present year. 
The first difficulty M. Vuylsteke mentions, is that of getting the seeds to 
germinate, and he believes that many of the seeds produced are without a 
healthy germ, for all the principal growers in Belgium have tried experiments 
on a large scale, and in various ways, though without much success, and 
often with none. A bright or dull summer has an important influence in 
maturing the seeds, and M. Vuylsteke finds that plump seeds germinate 
easily. During this process they gradually change into little green leafless 
and rootless bulbs, in which stage they require the greatest care, or they 
Quickly die. After a time they gradually develop roots and leaves, and thus 
become stronger, after which the risk of their disappearing is greatly reduced. 
After they become established, M. Vuylsteke remarks that he finds them 
stronger growers than imported plants. If there are any cultural secrets 
besides perseverance and unremitting attention, M. Vuylsteke does not 
divulge them, though we have his permission to publish these notes. Those, 
however, who succeed in growing Odontaglossums well should be 
encouraged to persevere, for where older plants thrive seedlings also grow, 
additional care being taken until the plants have developed roots and leaves, 
and thus become established. Seedlings have now flowered in at least five 
different establishments, and nice little plants are in existence elsewhere, 
which only require time in order to reach maturity. Notes from other 
correspondents will be acceptable, 
