164 



PAXTON'S FLOWER GARDEN. 



leathery leaves will distinguish it when not in flower, and have led to the confusion of it with 

 the large-flowered Tooth-tongue, Oclonioglossum grancle. The flowers emit the most delicate 

 odour of Hawthorn. They are, when well grown, full five inches in diameter, delicate in 

 texture, nearly white, with a few slight stains of red on the sepals and petals, and a great 

 convolute lip richly spotted with clear rose, which, it seems, becomes, in the bright natural 

 climate of the species, a rich and brilliant red. 



The cultivation of the plant is exactly that of Lycaste Skinneri, and similar terrestrial Orchids. 

 This has been well described in the Journal of the Horticultural Society, vol. v. p. 14. 



" It should be recollected that no plants can exist for any very great length of time without rest, 

 and that rest is induced in a tropical climate by drought, in the same way as low temperature in our 

 own country suspends vital energy : therefore Orchids must be subjected to the usual seasonable changes 

 of rest and activity. Best is induced by withholding moisture from their roots, and partly from the 

 air, and this state of things may be considered to represent their winter. Spring should be imitated 

 by gradually reviving vital energy by increase of moisture, first in the atmosphere, and afterwards in 

 the roots or soil, accompanied by a proportionate increase of temperature : this period of their 

 growth should be very slow. Summer must be represented by a greater increase of both heat and 

 moisture ; partial shade should also be resorted to, to bring the energy of the plant into full force. 

 And lastly, an autumn must be created to bring about maturity, by gradually reducing the quantity 

 of both heat and moisture, until the plants are again brought to a fit state for repose. The first and 

 last stages should be of but short duration, and require caution, otherwise much mischief may be 

 done to the plants. 



" By growing Orchids in the mean instead of the maximum of heat and moisture, they will not 

 make such rapid growth; but they will become more robust and healthy, and be less liable to 

 receive injury from sudden transitions, either of heat, drought, or moisture, in the atmosphere. 



"The temperature of the house can only with certainty be kept regular by night, particularly in 

 summer ; therefore the fire should never raise the heat of the principal house higher than 60° 

 and about five degrees less should be maintained where the plants are in a less excitable state : but 

 as the days lengthen, so the temperature may rise ; yet it should if possible never range higher than 

 75° by night in summer; it will occasionally, however, be higher in very warm weather, and should 

 be counteracted as much as possible by evaporation and ventilation by night, and by both as well as 

 by shading, by day." 



