240 THE P HILADELP HIA FLORIST. [Dec'k 



*} require occasional waterings in addition to the above treatment, and 





(P they ought never to be allowed to get entirely drv. The third class 

 will at times require an abundance of water and good drainage, and 

 much more light than any of the others. They have their season of 

 rest like bulbs, when they should be kept cooler, and almost dry. 

 They mostly prefer a mixture of sharp, sandy peat and loam. A 

 whole chapter might be written on this division. The fourth class 

 like the other, have their season of rest, when they require less wa- 

 ter, a drier atmosphere, and more sunlight; but they ought not by 

 any means ever to be quite dry, or they are not easily recovered. 

 They are rather gross feeders, and don't like to be stinted in either 

 pot room, or water when growing, On the whole orchids do not re- 

 ceive su much fresh air generally as they ought. This should to be 

 admitted only by the top sash, and for a very short time daily — imme- 

 diately before giving air, it is good to syringe the plants, and pour 

 water on the flues or paths. Otherwise so much moisture will escape 

 in the admission of air as materially to affect the hygrometric con- 

 dition of the house, and thus do more harm than the fresh air would 

 do good. Air may be given thus whenever the external temperature 

 is above 60°. 



In syringing, the water ought not to be suffered to fall on the flow- 

 ers or buds. They frequently rot off before they expand from this 

 cause, especially Stanhopcas; while it discolors many kinds in their 

 flowers. There are many other valuable and beautiful genera in cul- 

 tivation, which I have not included in the above divisions, because 1 

 have not had the opportunity of cultivating them myself. I cannot 

 better perhaps conclude this brief sketch than by giving a list of 

 some good kinds of the easiest growth, for the use of beginners in 

 their cultivation. 



If succesful in growing them well, they will be better prepared 

 for managing the more difficult and fastidious ones. 



Oncidium sphacellatum, Phajus Tankervilhe, 



Calanthe veratrifolia, 

 Sobralia Macrantha, 

 Dendrobium nobile, 

 u chrysostoma, 

 " chrysanthema, 

 Eulophia Mackaii, 

 Maxillaria picta, 

 Brassia Lanceana, " aromatica, 



Stanhopea grandiflora, Haemaria {Goody era,) discolor. 



« maculata, Cypripedium insigne. 



"- Wardii, 

 Gongora atropurpurea, 

 " maculata, 



a 



luridum, 



u 



flexuosum 



Cattleya 



Skinnerii, 



u 



labiata, 



u 



Mossise, 



u 



granulosa, 



Fernand* 



szia elegans, 





No definite rule can be given for the temperature of an orchid Q 



