230 
THE CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS. 
Oct., 1892. 
I hope I have succeeded in rousing many members of 
Natural History Societies to make the observations required 
in this useful and interesting subject; and that next year 
observations will come in so quickly that the success of 
the scheme will be much enhanced. 
I might mention that more than 100 observers sent in 
observations last year, and that twelve of the Natural History 
Societies in connection with the British Association are at 
present represented in this scheme. 
Notes of observations may be sent to E. Mawley, Esq., 
F.R.H.S., Rosebank, Berkhampsted, Herts ; to the Royal 
Meteorological Society, 22, Great George Street, London, 
S.W. ; or I shall be pleased to forward any notes which may 
be sent to me, and will give any further information. 
F. A. Bellamy, F.R.Met.Soc. 
4, St. John’s Road, Oxford. 
THE CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS. 
BY E. A. BEVERS. 
( Concluded from page 210.) 
If you have only one house I should recommend you 
to use it as an intermediate house, as in that you can grow a 
great variety of beautiful orchids. With regard to 
PROPAGATING, 
few orchids can be quickly increased by any artificial 
method of propagation. You cannot depend upon it to add 
much to your stock, as in most cases it takes too long, and it 
is far better to purchase established plants. But you may 
like to know something about propagation. In the first place 
do not commence experimenting with a valuable plant, for 
orchids are easily injured; the method adopted with many 
orchids having short pseudo-bulbs of the Cattleya or Odonto- 
glossum types, is to cut between the pseudo-bulbs and through 
the rhizome, so as to retain some roots on each. The safest 
plan is to leave these in the pots for some time until it is 
seen that fresh growths are coming from the divided portions, 
when they can be potted up. This plan is also adopted when 
it is desired to produce what are termed back growths to 
make a better specimen, as the old pseudo-bulbs will often 
form growths where thus treated, greatly improving the 
appearance of a plant. If the ordinary methods of propa¬ 
gation are slow, raising orchids from seed is a still slower 
process, and it cannot be recommended except for those who 
are interested in obtaining hybrids. It requires much patient 
waiting, constant attention, and perhaps after years of this 
