166 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JUNE, 1908. 
green forked veins. The species was described by Linnzeus filius in 1781 
(Suppl. Pl. p. 406), and Thunberg afterwards wrote the name as D. 
longicornis (Prodr. Pl. Cap. p. 4). The specific name is eminently descrip- 
tive of the flower, and the elongated petals are included within the long 
spur of the dorsal sepal, and extend almost to its base. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS FOR JUNE. 
By W. J. Morcan, Rann Lea Gardens, Rainhill, Lancs. 
L&LIA PURPURATA and its varieties will soon be past flowering, and as 
soon as they commence to grow and root should be examined, and potted 
or top-dressed, as the state of the plant requires. In potting these, plenty 
of pot room should be given, so that they will not require doing annually, 
as the second years’ growth generally produces the finest flowers. It is 
also a strong rooting species, and soon fills a good sized pot with roots. 
A few plants make a fine display when in flower, and are very useful 
for cutting, as they throw long spikes as a rule, and last well if the water 
is kept changed. A mixture of Osmunda fibre, leaves and moss, with 
crushed crocks, suits them well. Pot firmly, and keep the plant on a level 
with the rim of the pot. I find that if topped up with the same mixture as 
that used for potting they root better than when topped with all moss, and 
it gives one a better idea of the condition of the compost underneath than 
when sphagnum is used. The least moisture in the house seems to keep 
the sphagnum green, whilst on several occasions on turning a plant out of 
its pot the material under the moss has been dust dry, yet to go by the 
condition of the moss the plant did not require water, so that now we top 
with potting mixture, and get better results, both in plants and flowers. 
After potting, a nice moist corner should be given them in the stove or East 
Indian house, until they get hold of the new material, as it saves con- 
tinually watering the plant, and keeps the bulbs and leaves plump, which is 
a great thing after repotting. Ifa plant shrivels it takes the best part of a 
- season to get it right, and then the plant is unable to stand the strain of 
flowering, and that means growing it for another year before getting 
flowers, which is very discouraging to employer and grower. 
CympipiuMs.—The spring-flowering section will be ready for potting or 
top-dressing. Plants that have got too large as specimens can be broken 
up, and all the strongest pieces re-made to grow into specimens again. 
If smaller plants are required the small pieces can be potted up separately, 
and soon make nice plants. It is not advisable to put the weaker bulbs 
into the same pot as the stronger bulbs, as they never make such nice 
plants as when graded. The compost should consist of quite three parts 
of good fibrous loam, with some good peat and a little leaves and moss 
added, and plenty of crocks and crushed charcoal to keep it porous. 
