90 
BASKETS FOR ORCHID ACEtE. 
No. 1. 
No. 2. 
unqualified praise. Nos. 1 and 2 are novelties, which we owe to the kindness of 
Mr. Hammond, gardener to J. Clowes, Esq., of Broughton Hall, near Manchester. 
They consist of solid masses of 
heath-mould, of a sort of light 
chestnut colour, and very fibrous 
texture, enclosed in frames of 
copper wire. They are neatly 
cut to the shape of the wire 
frame, and the top surface curves 
upwards from the edge to the 
margin of a circular cavity in 
the centre, which is made for 
containing the plant. It will 
be observed, that the upper edge of the basket is slightly ornamented with wire, 
and not left plain, as is too generally the case, to look like an inverted rat-trap. 
Mr. Hammond states that " this mass of compressed vegetable matter is com- 
posed of the partially decomposed parts of the various plants which now clothe its 
surface ; such as Hypnum, Sphagnum, Narthecium, Taccinium, Andromeda, 
Empetrum, and Ericas ; and no doubt the present accumulation has been of some 
thousands of years' standing. The substance is soft and spongy, and the roots of 
Stanhopeas, Gongoras, Sobralia, and Ponera — indeed, some of the Pleurotballis tribe, 
luxuriate in it to perfection. The vigorous and healthy state of the above genera 
at once indicates that these subjects are at home." 
It is obtained from a place called the " White Moss," in the neighbourhood of 
Manchester, and had to be sought after somewhat assiduously before it was discovered. 
To guide others in seeking it on those wastes where heath-soil is usually procured, 
we may observe, that it isof nearly a uniform texture — light and open, in consequence 
of being rather half-decayed vegetable fibre, than of an earthy consistence, and 
neither black nor containing any distinctly perceptible portion of that clear white 
sand or grit which abounds in heath-mould. We have little hesitation in affirming 
that it might be found on any 
extensive heath or common where 
peat abounds, and as little doubt 
that these baskets would suit 
most Orchidaceas that are grown 
in soil of that description. 
The two accompanying recep- 
tacles, Nos. 3 and 4, were taken 
from Messrs. Loddiges' very va- 
ried collection. These gentlemen 
have probably tried every device of this sort that has been thought of, and originated 
not a few ; and they assert that the basket No. 3 is the best for Coryanthes, 
No. 4. 
