April 12.1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
of fumigating, always a dangerous operation with pseudo-bulbous 
Orchids. 
Thrips are often troublesome on Odontoglossum vexillarium, 
and if time can be spared for cleansing these before they come 
into flower it will be well spent. First immerse the entire plants 
in tepid water, and if there are any insects in the pots this will 
drive them out. While they are still wet dip the heads in a weak 
solution of softsoap, to which has been added a little tobacco 
water. Lay the plants on their sides to drain, so that the soapy 
liquid runs away from the compost, and when nearly dry give a 
thorough washing of clean water from the syringe. To prevent 
Short, crisp sentences are essential to make a book readable, and 
to bring out the salient points. Grammatical errors are likewise 
noticeable in the letterpress. Critics will also find a defect in the 
illustrations. About fourteen are given, the majority being 
“ process ” representations of plants. These the inexperienced 
will have some difficulty in recognising, inasmuch as the usual 
references are not printed beneath them, but obscurely on other 
pages. Omissions of this kind will scarcely be appreciated by 
beginners, and it is to be hoped, if a second addition is required, 
that the work will be thoroughly revised. This is necessary to 
remove the tautological phrases which mar an otherwise useful 
Fig. 46.—MASDEVALLIA GARGANTUA. 
slugs getting at the spikes stand the plants on inverted pots placed 
in saucers filled with water. C. citrosmum must be kept quite dry 
at the roots until the flower spikes can be seen in the apex of the 
young growth, after which plenty of water should be given. 
Keep all pots and stages perfectly clean, as this helps to 
maintain a sweet atmosphere in the houses, and light sprinklings of 
soot and lime under the stages will be found of great benefit to 
the plants.—H. R. R. 
The Amateur Orchid Cultivators’ Guide Book. 
We have received a copy of “ The Amateur Orchid Cultivators’ 
Guide Book,” by Mr. H. A. Burberry, Orchid grower to the Right 
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., Highbury, near Birmingham. 
Being an expert cultivator the author has dealt with his subject in 
a practical manner, but from a literary point of view the book can 
hardly be termed a success. In the first place it is rather difficult 
to read. The opening paragraph constitutes a sentence of 
168 words, and s’milar instances frequently occur in the pages. 
publication. As may be expected, however, the cultural details 
are excellent, and the following extract, referring to Phalsenopsis 
Schilleriana, is an example :— 
“ This Orchid is one that has baffled many good growers, even those 
who have everything that is necessary to successful cultivation within 
their reach, yet from some unexplainable reason they fail to make 
much headway with this plant. This is somewhat difficult to under¬ 
stand, as others who only give ordinary care and attention obtain 
excellent results, much seeming to depend upon the house in which it 
is grown. I, however, advise everyone to give it a trial, for if the 
place suits it the plant is of great interest, even when not in bloom, on 
account of its handsome foliage. /aca 
“ Its handsome flowers are produced on long branching spikes from 
Dcccmoer to February, and are of a soft pale mauve tint, and it should 
be grown in baskets suspended near the glass on the shady side of the 
house, too much bright light being injurious, and it should be placed 
into the basket in much the same way as recommended for Aerides 
odoratum, simply fixing in the sphagnum over a good drainage of crocks 
and charcoal, and the foliage will then droop over the sides of the 
