159 
filled to not less than two-thirds of its depth with dean broken 
bricks and lumps of fresh charcoal, the larger pieces at the bottom 
and smaller ones towards the top. Much soil is seldom neces- 
sary, and for many none whatever, broken bricks and charcoal 
in big lumps being sufficient. Moss and peat, out of which all 
the fine stuff has been sifted, in equal parts with a sprinkling of 
sand, is a suitable mixture for many Orchids, but a large body of 
soil is at no time desirable. For hanging baskets there is nothing 
better than teakwood, but as it is not always obtainable we here 
use Chengal which is durable and answers the purpose very 
well. The proper time for re-potting is just when the plants are 
commencing to make new growths. In some cases shoots and 
roots commence simultaneously, but in others the young shoot 
Iras made considerable progress before there is any sign of new 
l oots, their nourishment in the meantime being derived from the 
amount stored up in the previous year’s growth. It is difficult 
o persuade orchid growers in England that there can be any 
‘ pedal care or attention necessary to grow Orchids in the regions 
o which they naturally belong, but as a matter of practice I 
•ind it more difficult than to do the same thing in a glass-house in 
England. Given a knowledge of the natural conditions under 
which a plant grows there can be, with the exception of sunlight, 
more closely imitated under glass than in any garden in the tro- 
pics. Under glass the two essentials — heat and moisture — are 
entirely under control, and the suppression of the insect pests 
comparatively easy. Palms. 
From a decorative point of view no plants are more worthy of 
attention than palms ; they are easy to grow ahd will stand 
better in rooms than almost any other plant, while as regards 
effectiveness there can be no two opinions. Their one fault, if 
fault it can be called, in the eyes of some is that they are, espe- 
cially in the earlier stages, slow growers. When thoroughly 
established with plenty of roots the ‘ ‘stock” soil will do for pret- 
ty nearly all palms, but for young plants add more leaf -mould and 
a little sand. Although many, in fact most of them, will, if 
gradually accustomed to it, stand the full sun, they are much 
better growers in moderate shade as they have then a more grace- 
fvl habit and a darker green colour. When the pots have he- 
rn me quite full of roots they require plenty of water, and if this 
I: attended to quite large plants may be kept in moderate sized 
; • hs for many years. If allowed to get excessively dry they 
s on begin to turn yellow and lose their lower leaves. In addi- 
jn to the numerous kinds that have been introduced from 
yarioils countries the jungles in this part of the world are full of 
iteresting species well worth growing in any garden. Some of 
ie rotans in a young state before they begin to climb make very 
^andsome pot plants, but in collecting these or any other palm 
^ear in mind that palms unless quite small transplant very badly. 
■ r ersonally I prefer to get seeds, but as they take some time to 
£ mminate many growers have not the necessary patience for this. 
