orchid Conference. 



69 



therefore it suggests itself to my mind as a perfectly novel 

 manure ; and although we are perfectly well acquainted with 

 all the methods of getting atmospheric manures, still we are 

 not so well acquainted with the direct application of this powder 

 to the roots. It was for this reason that I introduced the ques- 

 tion, and having introduced it and heard the various remarks 

 that have been made, we will now leave it. 



Dr. Masters : It appears to me from what has been said on 

 this subject, that we have to deal with general principles. In 

 the first place, we do not know the chemical composition of any 

 part of the leaf or of the flower, and until we know that, we 

 cannot have any definite rule as to the right manure to apply 

 or when to apply it ; but we may certainly say without any fear 

 of contradiction, that all plants, Orchids not excepted, want 

 manure, and are the better for it, at a certain time. The thing 

 to know is, what is the right food to give, and what is the proper 

 time to give it. The proper food to be given them at one time 

 is that which will make bulb and leaf, and which at another 

 time will enable them to form flower and seed. Now, as to the 

 structure of Orchids, I may perhaps be more at home. The 

 structure is extraordinarily diversified. The internal structure 

 of leaves, flowers, and roots, even in the same genus, is widely 

 different, but I cannot believe that the appropriate food must be 

 equally different. That we have got to find out in the future. 

 More especially I would call attention to the roots of these 

 flowers. There is nothing in nature like the root of an Orchid. 

 Instead of turning down into water like most other roots, the 

 Orchid root almost invariably turns up from it ; therefore, if 

 you dip these roots into liquid manure, I think you will be quite 

 certain to injure them, as they undoubtedly absorb most of their 

 food through atmospheric agency. 



Mr. Borwick : I would not use the ordinary bone manure, 

 because it is so hard by nature that acid is required to make it 

 mix with the ground. But the manure of which I have spoken 

 mixes easily with the ground without any acid at all. 



Mr. James : Are we to understand that this Orchid Conference 

 will continue yearly ? If so, I may suggest that on a future 

 occasion we might exhibit plants that have been put to the 

 various processes mentioned. In following up what Dr. Masters 

 has said, I think it is proved to demonstration that the whole 

 nutriment is taken in by the plant in the way he has suggested. 



