Plate 207. 



CEOTON" DISEAELI. 



We are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of King's Eoad, Chelsea, for the opportunity of 

 figuring this new Croton, -which possesses a new feature of great interest in the trilobate 

 form of its leaves, the middle lobe being greatly elongated, with a broader expansion towards 

 the extremity ; the two lateral ones comparatively short, of unequal size and length, and 

 expanding from the mid-rib at about one-third of its length from the base. The colouring of 

 the foliage is rich and varied ; shades and markings of scarlet, orange, and yellow are seen on 

 the same plant with the deep green ground of the mature foliage, and the bright light green 

 of the younger leaves. It is a vigorous-growing variety, of compact habit, and well furnished 

 with foliage. Mr. J. Douglas, in writing of this genus, says the staple potting material 

 should be good turfy loam from an upland pasture. The turf should be cut thin, and stored 

 for about three months before using ; one-third of the compost should be turfy peat, with a 

 little silver sand added, and broken crocks mixed with the soil is found to be beneficial. 

 Crotons require a considerable supply of water during the growing period, and a highly moist 

 atmosphere ; whilst seventy degrees at night during the summer and autumn months is a 

 suitable temperature. The pots must be well drained ; not only is this of the first 

 importance when the plants are re-potted, but some of the fibrous peat should be shaken free 

 from soil and carefully placed over the drainage before putting in the compost. Small 

 plants which have been potted in fine soil produce by far the largest proportion of active 

 roots in the drainage. Crotons are very much a prey to insect pests. The plants must be 

 kept clean, or the beauty of the foliage is sadly marred. Mealy bug is the worst to deal 

 with, and if this gains a footing on C. angustifolium the plant had better be destroyed ; but 

 some of the large-leaved species may be cleansed by careful washing by hand with soapy 

 water. Eed spider is another formidable enemy if it is not observed in time. Syringing the 

 plants daily with clear tepid rain-water will keep it in check ; and if this is done carefully 

 from the first, the spider will either be destroyed or will not increase enough to do harm. 

 Brown scale also fastens on the stems, and does mischief if it is not removed by hand- 

 washing. 



Plate 208. 



ODONTOGLOSSUM TEIPUDIANS. 



We are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea, for the opportunity of figuring this 

 handsome plant, which is not illustrated in Mr. Bateman's monograph of Odontoglossum. 

 Professor Eeichenbach, in referring to this plant in the " Gardener's Chronicle " for July 22, 

 1871, describes it as a very nice Odontoglossum in the way of 0. cristatum, but with a blunt 

 lip. The sepals and petals are brown, with yellowish green edges, and dots few in number. 

 The lip has a white basilar disc. The region around the calli is of a beautiful purplish 

 violet, and there are some brown bars and blotches round the basilar part of it. The column 

 is whitish, with purplish brown wings, and a similar limb to the anguli. The species was 

 originally discovered by Von Warscewicz, in New Grenada. It was grown first in 

 Mr. Linden's establishment, then in Mr. Day's collection at Tottenham, and afterwards by 

 Messrs. Veitch and Sons. In the " Gardener's Chronicle " for March 23, 1872, Professor 

 Reichenbach describes a very handsome variety of this plant under the name of 0. oculatum. 



