OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
215 
are of a lively citron colour, with a tinge of a paler- whitish tint in the lip ; other- 
wise being large and showy. Messrs. Loddiges succeeded in causing it to bloom 
about two months ago, and it has since developed additional flowers in the same 
establishment. 
Houlletia Brocklehurstiana. This new genus is a division from Maxillaria , 
to which it is closely related. The species here spoken of is a noble plant, with 
strong-furrowed, sliglitly-conical pseudo-bulbs, and large spreading leaves. The scape 
arises from beneath the younger pseudo-bulbs, and elevates ten, twelve, or an 
indefinite quantity of beautiful flowers, which are large, of a dull-yellowish ground, 
but very handsomely spotted and blotched all over with different shades of brown. 
It is flowering finely with Mr. Knight, of the King’s Road, Chelsea. 
OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER. 
As we stated last month, the period yet intervening between the present time 
and winter, must be one of active preparation where the perfect culture of plants is 
the object. Greenhouse species, that have not hitherto been transferred to their 
winter quarters, should be housed without further delay, and as this will render the 
re-arrangement of plants that have been retained in the house necessary, we may at 
once say that we consider a thorough examination of every kind of exotic of the 
utmost importance at this season of the year. 
That this investigation may be justified, and conducted with a due regard to 
the purpose likely to be gained thereby, we shall advert to one or two particulars 
that ought especially to be attended to. First, it should be seen that the drainage 
of every pot is quite unobstructed. To judge of this, the mere observation of the 
state of the soil as regards dryness will be necessary. If it be unusually wet, and 
covered with moss, it will be advisable that the roots of the specimen should be 
exposed, and their state as to health or decay determined. In the case of their 
being found decaying, or inadequate to fill the pot containing them, the specimen 
must immediately be shifted into a smaller pot, just of sufficient size to hold its 
roots, removing the old soil, and substituting a fresh and porous earth. Again, the 
plants that have been out of doors may have the bottoms of their pots clogged with 
soil, or the aperture for drainage stopped, when a clearance should be at once 
effected. The pots of the latter ought, moreover, to be washed, the plants duly and 
neatly supported and trained, and the soil replenished on the surface where it has 
been washed away by rains. A pleasing appearance will not be the only good 
result of such tendance ; for by a proper and permanent disposal of the branches, 
they will occupy less room, and not be so liable to overshadow or otherwise encum- 
ber the neighbouring plants. 
The arrangement of plants in houses for the winter must be regulated greatly 
