228 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GAEDENING. 



The simple method described of giving ah: will enable 

 this to he done without admitting the rain, a point 

 of vital importance to success. 



Of course, in what are called really cold pits the 

 lights may be wholly removed, unless in cold or wet 

 weather. 



Special Culture of Plants in Pits.— As 



they are placed or grown ia these either for con- 

 venience, or because these are the best places for 

 them, it may be added that the culture recommended 

 for each family in this work will suifc them in pits 

 as well as in houses or out of doors. The chief 

 points to guard against in pits are excess of mois- 

 tui-e, either ia the soil or atmosphere, and sudden 

 and severe changes of temperatui-e. The smaller the 

 area enclosed with glass, the greater the danger of 

 sudden alterations or extremes of either heat or cold. 

 However, not a few of the greatest %dctories won by 

 cultivators have been achieved through the aid of 

 pits and frames ; and notwithstanding the run upon 

 hot-houses and green-houses in lieu of these more 

 simple and primitive structures, pits will ever hold 

 a permanent place in the past historj'- and future 

 triumphs of horticulture. 



ORCHIDS. 



By William Hugh Gowek. 



Calanthe. — A genus of terrestrial plants con- 

 taining some very handsome and showj' species ; the 

 name comes from kalas, "beautiful," and anthos, " a 

 flower" — hence we have "beautiful flower." The 

 leaves are for the most part broad, plaited, and dark 

 green ; the lip is spui-red and united to the column 

 its entire length ; the pollen masses are eight, waxy, 

 and adhering in foiu-s. 



Calanthes may be di\dded into two sections — viz., 

 evergreen and dcciduoxis. The first-named do not 

 require a resting season — that is to say, althougli 

 less water will be given during \sdnter, they must 

 never be allowed to get dry — whilst the deciduous 

 kinds must have a long rest after the flowering 

 season is past. 



These plants require to be grown in pots, and the 

 evergreen kiads should be potted in the ordinary 

 way, and not elevated above the rim, using for soil 

 about equal parts of loam, leaf-mould, peat, and 

 dried cow-manure, adding a little sharp sand; the 

 pots must be thoroughly drained, and during the 

 growing season supplied freely with water. The 

 deciduous section must be treated in the manner 

 previously described for potting Orchids, and during 

 the time of growth will be much benefited by the 



application of a little liquid manure once or twice a 

 week ; until the pseudo-bulbs are mature we prefer 

 gi%'ing the temperature of the East Indian House, 

 but afterwards they should be removed to a cooler 

 situation. 



Section I. — Evergreens. 



C. Dominicma. — This is the result of a cross between 

 C. masHca and C. veratrifolia, and is both handsome 

 and fi-ee-blooming. It is rather singular that Messrs 

 Rollissons, of Tooting, obtained a plant exactly the 

 same as did Mr. Dominy at INIessrs. Yeitch's, by using 

 the same parents, and thus we find this variety in 

 some collections under the name of C. Mylamiana, 

 but they are identical. The leaves are broad ana 

 plaited, dark green ; sepals and petals soft lilac, 

 with a deep purple lip. Spring and early summer. 

 Garden hybrid. 



C. Masuca. — Of this species there are several forms, 

 the best being called grandiflora. The leaves are 

 large and bold, much plaited, and dark green ; the 

 flowers are produced on a tall, erect stem, and are 

 very numerous ; sepals and petals deep ^iolet, whilst 

 the curious lip is deep violet-pui'ple. It blooms 

 nearly the whole summer. Northern India. 



C. veratrifolia is a bold and strong-growing plant, 

 with large, plaited, dark green leaves, and an erect 

 many-flowered raceme, which lasts long in full beauty 

 if the flowers, which ai-e pure white throughout, are 

 not shaken together ; if this occurs they will speedily 

 turn black, as the blooms are very deliCate and easily 

 bruised. June, July, and August. Northern India. 



Section II. — Deciduous. 



G. porphyrea, lich piu-ple and yellow. Garden 

 hybrid. 



C. Regnieri, white, with rosy-pink eye. Cochin 

 China. 



C. vestita. — The pseudo-bulbs ovate-obtuse, and of 

 a peculiar glaucous hue, bearing two or three broadly- 

 lanceolate leaves, which are membranous, plaited, 

 and pale green. The flower-spike issues frt>m the 

 side of the pseudo-bulb near the base ; and the raceme 

 is somewhat pendulous. This species and its varie- 

 ties should be shaken quite out of the old soil every 

 season, and repotted during March and April ; and 

 when the flowering season is over they may be laid 

 on one side in a cool place to rest. These plants lose 

 most of their leaves by the time they flower, which 

 mars their effectiveness to a great extent ; to obviate 

 this, seedling Ferns should be pricked in between 

 the pseudo-bulbs, which will be a great relief to the 

 bare stems. 



The blooms of these varieties are exceedingly 

 useful for all purposes from November to March. 

 The following are the best varieties : — 



