July 12, 1888. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
31 
consisting of half peat, the remainder part being loam, leaf soil, and 
a good sprinkle of sand, well mixed together. About 15 inches of soil 
should be placed in the bed, made moderately firm. Upon this the 
autumn and through the winter, care being taken that the operation 
is not deferred too late in the spring. During the growing season the 
plants require abundance of water—in fact they should never be allowed 
Fig. 8.—Cypripedium spectabile. 
plants should be placed, with the remainder 3 inches of soil over them. 
Plants that have been grown and established in this country are far 
the safest, as imported plants sometimes fail to give satisfaction. 
C. spectabile can be removed at any time during the latter part of 
to become too dry, and after they have done flowering this should be 
particularly attended to. In favourable seasons the flowers commence 
expanding about the middle of June, and last several weeks in per¬ 
fection. They are extremely uieful for cutting, the fine, dark green 
