22 



ORCHIDS. 



leaves begin to rot, the diseased part should be cut clean 

 away, and a little sulphur rubbed on the part that is cut, 

 but not so as to let the sulphur get to the roots of the 

 plants. 



When any part of the fleshy bulb of the above-named 

 or similarly-formed bulbs becomes discoloured, and the dark 

 or discoloured part appears moist or wet, especially if any 

 fluid exudes from it on pressure, the wet or discoloured 

 part should be immediately cut out, or there is danger that 

 the bulb will be destroyed, as the rot is often much more 

 extensive within the bulb than the discoloured appear- 

 ances on the outside would seem to indicate. The plant 

 should also be removed to a drier and cooler place, and 

 water given with the utmost care. 



Fropagation, 



There are different modes of propagating the various 

 kinds of Orchids ; some are easily increased by dividing 

 them into pieces, or by cutting the old pseudo-bulbs from 

 the plants after the latter have done blooming : such 

 plants as Dendrobiums are increased in this way. The 

 best time for dividing the plants is just as they begin to 

 grow, or vrhen they are at rest ; they should be cut through 

 with a sharp knife between the pseudo-bulbs, being careful 

 not to harm the roots : each piece should have some roots 

 attached to it. After they are cut through they should be 

 parted, potted, and put into some shady part of the house, 

 without receiving much water at the roots till they have 

 begun to grow and make fresh ones, then they may have a 

 good supply. Dendrobium nohile, Fierardii, jndchellum, 

 meter ojjhyllum, Devoniamwi, and similar growing sorts, are 

 easily propagated. This is effected by bending the old 

 pseudo-bulbs round the basket or pots in which they are 

 gTo^^ing, or by cutting the old flowering bulbs away from 



