[ IOO ] 



Blumei, with its predominating hue of buff yellow, and is one of the richest in colour of any of the recent garden 

 hybrids, and it may safely be stated of it that it will always retain its place in select collections of orchids by reason of 

 its neat habit, freeness to flower, and the remarkable beauty and durability of its flowers when produced. It is named 

 in honour of Madame Leon d'Halloy, nee Countess Marthe de Germiny. 



The favour which the recently introduced race of the Phaius Sanderianus class and the garden hybrids have met 

 with takes us back to the time when the Phaius were fashionable, and demonstrates the fact that the genus is in favour 

 again. 



With orchids, as with most other things, that form of caprice called " fashion " has much to do with what at any 

 given time is regarded with favour, and with them, as with more artificial matters over which fashion asserts her sway, a 

 thing having once been popular it is generally only a question of time as to when it becomes a favourite again. But a 

 few short years ago only an occasional specimen of Phaius grandifolius, P. Wallichii, or still rarer P. Blumei was 

 to be found in gardens, although formerly scarcely a collection of large specimen orchids could be found at Floral 

 Exhibitions without one or other of them forming a striking feature in it. 



We are looking forward to the flowering of further hybrid Phaius, as since the introduction of the beautiful 

 Phaius tuberculosus by our Mr. Leon Humblot, we have constantly crossed that species with others, and hope in the 

 near future to figure hybrids that have flowered in our establishment at least equal in beauty to those already raised. 



In the matter of culture, the hybrid Phaius require a warm, moist, and shady house, and, like most strong- 

 growing terrestrial orchids, a good proportion of fibrous loam in the compost in which they are potted serves to bring 

 about strong, healthy growth, and to preserve the elegant, Palm-like foliage unspotted throughout the whole year, which 

 can seldom be done when the plants are potted in peat or other light material. 



Our plate was taken from plants which flowered in our establishment at St. Albans. 



