January 15, 1S81. J 
JOURXAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
41 
some cases a severe check, or perhaps certain death. The plants 
then to keep them in perfect health should be changed frequently, 
and a sharp look out must be exercised to avert as much as 
possible these evils, "which render our most beautiful plants com¬ 
paratively worthless. The best gas-resisting plants wo have are 
the Aspidistra, Pandanns, and Ananassa sativa var. — the first 
named especiall}', for we have kept it in the house for two weeks 
without doing it the slightest perceptible injury. But it is not 
advisable to leave these plants in too long, as they are all the better 
and last longer if changed often. An important point in the 
management of decorative plants is thorough cleanliness, and the 
constant use of the sponge and syringe will be essential for keeping 
them in perfect health. They should always be carefully examined 
before taking them into the house, and any insects or dirt at 
once sponged off. The pots should also bo washed on the outside, 
and all stakes, ties, labels, Ac., bo carefully hidden by the 
foliage. If the pots are placed in vases the labels must be either 
taken out altogether or laid flat on the surface of the soil, which 
should be covered with damp moss or the trailing Selaginolla ; the 
latter, however, though more eft'ective, robs the plant to a largo 
extent of its due nourishment; and tlie former, whore it can bo 
obtained fresh from the woods, will bo found to answer the twofold 
purpose of hiding tho soil and rims of the pots, and in retaining 
moisture at the roots. Failing this tho moss sold by nurserymen 
in bundles if wet will bo quite as useful, and if this is considered 
too expensive fresh green Ivy leaves laid over the surface will 
conceal any unsightly objects. Perhaps I ought to have mentioned 
before that in potting all soils should be wanned to the temperaturo 
of the house the plants are in. All pots used must bo perfectly 
clean and dry, and tho water supplied should be the same tom 
perature as that of tho house.—F. Atkin, Aighurth. 
I ■> K N n u 0 lU u M s I c. N -V T r M . 
A I’LANT of this little Dondrobium was shown from tho lUirford 
Lodge Gardens at tho U.ll.S. meeting in March 11th last year, when 
a certificate was awardorl for it by the Orchid Oommitteo. Tho clear 
yellow flowers are comparatively small and suggestivo of D. luteolum 
in their shape; tl\o sepals and petals recurve, are of nearly equal size, 
but the lip is much broader, with two dark bars converging towards 
the I'cntre. 
(.■> N0 tin n M nKri:KN rni! M. 
This is one of tho many thchids that cannot bo said to possess 
much K'auty, .ind yet which are of such singular formation that 
they am well wvirtiv including whore t'rehids are studied as well as 
gi\)wn. At Kew it has often attracted attention when in flower, 
and specimens may now be occasionally found in amateurs’ collections, 
anvl amongst olht'rs at Mr. .i. 11. Smoe’s garilen, Tlio Grange, thir- 
shalton, frmn which place it has In’cn slu)wn at tho Westndnster 
Prill Hall meetings. To a casual observer, indeed oven to those 
familiar with tho appear!in>.-e of flrchid lioweis, this Oncidium is 
rather puzzling, for at first glance the inflorescence seems to have lost 
nearly all its flowers, a few only remaining at the points of the 
panicle branches. Closer examination, however, reveals tho fact that 
there are two ilistinct forms of flower.^, one scries (the most numerous) 
small, with greenish-yellow ctiual linear divisions, and quite un- 
Orchid-like, the others of the prevailing Oncidium character, yellow 
and brown, resembling many others of tho small-flowered species. 
KIU. 10.—ONOiniU.M IIKTKR.VNTIUIM. 
The woodcut (fig. 10) gives an idea of tho respective size and forms 
of these diverse flowers, from which peculiar character tho species 
has gained the title “ hotcranthum.” 
MASPKVAlJdAS AND DISAS. 
.\ paiUT by Mr. K. nnuiiKliav, Orohid (Jrowrr to Hip Rlslit lion. J. Cliainbcrlaln, M.I*. 
IlKbbury, IllriuiiiKliiim. Koiul ut ii lUootluK of thu ItlnuliiKbiuu Uiirilcuers’ As.poolalloii.j 
(^('ontinurd from page Jt’W.) 
Pis.\s. 
PiK.V gramlillora, “tho Clower of tho Gotls,’’ if once seen well grown 
attd flowered is not easily forgotten, for it is one of tho most handsome 
and useful cool (>rchids we have. This, if the stems are strong, produces 
flowers very freely, which are most valuable, especially as it can l)o 
grown in a cold frame, tho temperature not falling below 10°, ami its 
l.irgo striking crimson flowers are most useful for bouquets. Tho Pisa 
is a terrestrial Prehid, a large genus, its native habitat being tho Table 
Mountains at tho Cape of Good Hope. There are many varieties of 
exquisite colours and fantastic shapes, and my remarks upon tho Masde- 
vallia as an interesting family apply fully to this. Hut P. grandillora 
is tho best, and at tho same time most common, therefore to this 1 will 
coniine my remarks, all tho others requiring tho same treatment. It is 
best grown in a cold airy house, with siifllcient lire heat only to keep 
the thermometer from falling below HP. Tiie house should stand in a 
cold and shady position. If thi.s is not available a frame or pit will 
grow' them nearly as well. Abundance of air must be given when tho 
outside temperature will admit — that is, wh«n it is above ■tO'’. They 
should never bo allowed to become dry, and if properly potted it is 
almost impossible from March to August to give too much water if tho 
principle of watering is understood in tho least. During tliis time they 
enjoy to be syringed three or four times a day. They usually flower in 
August, after which they should bo kept a little drier and given all tho 
air possible, if the nights are not too cold. Root action soon commencoP, 
and 1 prefer to repot them in September. This should bo done every 
year, giving them all now material, and keeping it moderately damp till 
tho plants have formed now roots and its now growth is strong, when 
water may be increased gradually. 
Tho best potting material is peat, not very fibrous ; this should bo 
broken to pieces about tho size of walnuts, and well mixed together with 
one-third of its quantity of coarse, shar|), silver, or river sand. They 
are sometimes grown a number together ii\ oi\e large pan, but tho best 
way is to grow them singly in pots. Tho pots should not bo too largo ; 
a 18 is largo enough for cno strong-flowering stem. If tho stems are 
weak use pots corn si>onding in size. I find tho best plan to grow small 
plants on is to plant them in thumb pots, and pot each on as they 
require it during the season, taking caro not to bioak tho ball or other¬ 
wise li\juro tho roots. 
In addition to tho main growth thoro arc numbers of suckers or 
