8 THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



avoid confusion, I prefer here to keep them under the 

 original name. Imported plants of such species as C. 

 Stonei, C. Rothschildianum, C. prastans, C. lavigatum, C. 

 Lowii, C. exu/, C. Lindleyanum, C. Sanderianum, C. 

 Parishii, C. candatum, and others of that section, should 

 be placed in the smallest pots possible, keeping the base 

 of the foliage on a level with the rim of the pot, filling 

 up with rough crocks only, and affording plenty of 

 water through the crocks. When root action begins, 

 remove a few of the crocks, and pot firmly with a 

 mixture of peat and sphagnum moss. The majority of 

 the species may be potted in the same manner imme- 

 diately on arrival. The principal object of the cultivator, 

 with those species of Cypripedium named, should be to 

 prevent water from getting into the growths or lodging 

 in the axils of the leaves, they being extremely liable to 

 turn black and decay from this cause. 



In treating of imported Cattleyas, I include Laelias of 

 the purpurata and elegans type, for one section runs so 

 nearly into the other as in some cases to make it difficult 

 to distinguish them. The cultural remarks made in 

 reference to them will also apply to such species as 

 Brassavola, Epidendrum, Schomburgkia, and Arpophyllum. 

 All plants of these species should be placed in pots just 

 large enough to allow room for one season's growth, 

 the pots being nearly filled with drainage materials, 

 making each plant quite firm by tying the pseudo bulbs 

 to neat sticks, so as to steady them. This is very im- 

 portant, because if the plants are allowed to sway about 

 every time they are moved they will never become pro- 

 perly rooted. The crocks in which the plants are placed 

 should be watered very sparingly at first. The inter- 

 mediate house is the proper place for them ; here the 

 moisture of the atmosphere at once checks evaporation, 

 and reaction quickly commences. The back pseudo 

 bulbs send forth sufficient sap to enable the leading 



