COMPOST MATERIALS. 



for twelve months before use. Choose turves full of small fibrous roots in preference to 

 a closer and more earthy class of material that rapidly decays and leaves behind a sour 

 close sediment. The leading horticultural sundriesmen make a speciality of orchid peat, 

 and supply a splendid article — brown, light, and full of fibre. It is prepared for use by 

 beating out all sand and earthy particles, reserving the fibre only for the orchids. 

 It is also obtainable ready prepared for use. 



Sphagnum. — This is a British moss, found in shady woods in various parts of the 

 country. It usually grows in close proximity to water. It should be obtained quite 

 fresh and green, storing it for use in a cool, moist place, where it will keep growing. 

 Before using, it must be freed from all foreign substances, such as grass, small sticks, 

 leaves, pine needles, or whatever is present. This is tedious work, but it is quite 

 essential. Then the rougher, partly-decayed portions must be separated from the fresh 

 growing points, the former being used for chopping up to mix with the peat and other 

 ingredients, the points reserved for surfacing the compost, as will be noted in due 

 course. The very roughest portions will be found useful for covering the drainage 

 in the pots. 



Loam. — This consists of the upper three or four inches of an old pasture, and varies, 

 of course, according to the soil of the locality. The best for orchids is that of medium 

 texture, not very light or sandy, nor yet of a heavy, clayey character. It should be full 

 of fibre, and must be stacked at least a year before being prepared for use, by breaking 

 it into various sized lumps, according to the size of the plants, and shaking out the 

 loose soil. Good descriptions of loam are obtainable from specialists. 



Charcoal. — This is used for keeping the compost open, admitting air to the roots, and 

 preventing the other materials from settling down into a close, inert condition, which 

 is fatal to the plants. It also acts as a storer of moisture, taking this up and giving it off 

 again in proportion to the requirements of the roots. It is of the greatest utility, and 

 the roots show their liking for it by clinging to it and ramifying. The best is made 

 by slowly charring hard wood in a half-green state, and it is usually obtainable. 

 Charcoal needs no preparation beyond breaking into suitable sized lumps, and, if very 

 dry, damping it slightly. Crocks are particles of broken pots, and are used, in a clean 

 state, for drainage, also as a mechanical agent in keeping the compost open, in conjunction 

 with charcoal. 



Limestone is used, broken in lumps, for some of the bellatulum group of cypripediums, 

 mixed with the compost or used in lieu of crocks for drainage. 



VOL. III. H 



