310 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October A, 1888. 
quire much the same treatment as Stanhopeas as to heat, moisture, 
and rest. The species vary considerably in size and colour of their 
flowers, but all are attractive and worthy of culture. M. specta- 
bilis is white and violet, and is, as its name implies, very showy, as 
also are its darker varieties autropurpurea and colorata. M. Can¬ 
dida has a white lip and yellow and brown sepals, while M. cuneata, 
the wedge-lipped Miltonia, is yellow and purple. The plants being 
epiphytal grow perhaps best in baskets, and will flourish in any 
plant stove where the summer temperature ranges from G0° to 90°, 
and the winter temperature from 55° to GO 0 .—B. 
THE CULTURE OF PHAIUS. 
This fine genus of Orchids are all terrestrial—that is, they are 
found in their native habitats growing on the ground. It follows 
that a plant found growing on the ground requires, in artificial 
culture, a soil approximating to that from which it has been 
brought. The soil in woody dells in the Mauritius, China, Nepaul, 
and other places where they are found is generally of a loamy 
texture, but the surface is composed of the debris of the trees of 
the forest for generations, consisting chiefly of leaves, twigs, and 
branches in a decaying state. In order to imitate such a soil we 
have used always for these plants a compost of loam and leaf 
mould, not too much decayed, and sand sufficient to keep it open, 
with perfect success. 
Drainage is a point of considerable importance in their culture, 
as on account of their rapid large growth they require generally 
large pots ; the drainage should be in proportion. Cover the hole 
or holes at the bottom of each pot with one large piece of broken 
potsherd or an oyster shell ; prop this up with a small piece of 
pot thick enough to allow a free passage for the superfluous water ; 
then place over them a layer 1 inch thick of smaller broken pot¬ 
sherds, and over them a layer half an inch thick of the smallest 
size without any dust amongst them (this should be sifted out with 
a very fine-meshed sieve, and will be useful to mix with the com¬ 
post for dry stove or succulent plants). Cover these finally with 
some bog moss not too thick, and then the drainage will be 
perfect. 
Potting. —The season for this operation depends upon the state 
of the plants. If properly managed with regard to the season of 
rest they should begin to grow about the middle of February, and 
then is the time to set about potting. Take the plant or plants to 
the potting bench, turn the pot upside down, catch the ball with 
one hand, and remove the pot with the other. Give the ball a 
gentle tap on the edge of the bench to loosen the soil from amongst 
the roots, and then dress the plant all over ; trim off all dead or 
decaying roots, cleanse the pseudo-bulbs from old sheaths, insects, 
&c. ; dead or decaying leaves cut off at once, and sponge the fresh 
living ones with tepid water, cleaning off and destroying scale, bug, 
or any other vermin infesting them. If it is desired that is the 
time to divide the plants for increase. One or more of the back or 
oldest pseudo-bulbs may be cut off just at the connecting joint; 
these should be potted into small pots, and have no wacer till fresh 
shoots are made. Should very large specimens be desired these 
divisions may all be put in the same pot together and allowed to 
grow together till they flower, and thus form one large fine speci¬ 
men. To return to potting. After the plant is well cleansed and 
divested of all dead and decaying matters proceed to pot it. First 
put in the new pot a slight layer of earth upon the drainage, then 
work in the long wiry roots equally all round and in the pot, then 
hold the plant in the centre of one pot with one hand and gradually 
mix the eaith amongst the roots with the other. This will take a 
little time and care to do it well without injuring the roots or 
thrusting them together in bundles—the endeavour and aim should 
be to leave the roots equally spread out amongst the new soil. 
Finish by leaving the plants level with the rim of the pot, press 
down the soil at the sides next the rim to hold a fair supply of 
water, and the operation is finished. 
The best position is a mildly heated bed of tanner’s bark, either 
in a pit or in a common Pine stove. The nearer they are to the 
glass, so as not actually to touch it, the better. They should be 
well shaded with a canvas shade that will shelter them from the 
rays of the sun in summer, but remove it in winter ; the leaves are 
thin and are easily disfigured if exposed during summer to its rays. 
Give air moderately on all fine days, but not too much at once. 
Excepting Phaius grandifolius they all require a high tempera¬ 
ture when growing, 75° to 85° by day and 65° to 70° by night. In 
winter the heat should be very moderate, because then the plants 
are at rest. 
Water.— If the plants are plunged in a bark bed, they will not 
require so much water as they would if grown on a platform over 
the pipes or on a stage in the centre of the house. Water, then, 
according to the position the plants occupy, only take notice that 
too much water at any time is highly injurious, and will cause the 
roots to perish very suddenly. la the resting season scarcely any 
water will be required, only enough to keep the leaves from flagging 
too much. Some lose their leaves entirely once a year ; such will 
bear scarcely any water when at rest. The syringe may be used 
freely when the plants are growing. Allow the water to fall upon 
the leaves like a gentle Scotch mist or drizzling rain ; but when 
using it to the under side of the leaves give a little more force to 
wash off the red spider, should he have founded a colony there. 
As the flowers of the greater part of the genus appear at the 
same time as the new growths it follows that they will flower in the 
early part of the year, generally about the end of April to the be¬ 
ginning of June. Phaius grandifolius may be so managed by 
starting it into growth at various periods as to greatly prolong the 
season of its blooming. We have had it in flower from January to 
June by starting a plant or two at a time at intervals of a month 
between each period. 
Like their epiphytal compeers the terrestrial Orchid must have 
a season of rest; and as light is necessary to grow and mature the 
growth, it follows that the best season for repose is when there is 
the least amount of light in our climate ; therefore, the winter 
months are the best for placing these plants to rest.— Orchid 
Grower. 
THE BRITISH FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION. 
On September 8th last at the conclusion of the Conference of fruit 
growers in the Crystal Palace, Mr. J. Cheal proposed a resolution to the 
following effect—namely, “ That it is desirable an Association of fruit 
growers should be formed for the promotion of profitable fruit cultiva¬ 
tion, and to improve the methods of distribution. The Executive Com¬ 
mittee of the Conference being requested to prepare a report on the 
subject, to be submitted to the next meeting at the Crystal Palace, on 
October 11th this year.” In pursuance of this resolution the Executive 
Committee met at 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 27th, at Anderton’a 
Hotel, Fleet Street, T. Francis Rivers, Esq., in the chair, twelve mem¬ 
bers being present. The Chairman referred to the favourable notices 
accorded by the daily and horticultural press to the Conference at the 
Crystal Palace, and it was mentioned that over sixty reports and articles 
referring to it had been published. A draft of the Association was then 
read, considered at some length, and finally adopted. 
The adjourned Conference will be resumed at 2 P.M. on Thursday, 
October 11th, at the Crystal Palace. 
The following is the draft adopted at the above meeting, and all 
desirous of joining the Association should communicate with the 
Hon. Secretaries, Mr. Lewis Castle, Uotliam House, Merton, Suirey, or 
Mr. William Earley, Ilford, Essex. 
The title will be, “ The British Fruit Growers’ Association.” 
OBJECTS. 
To promote the profitable culture and the improvement of fruit in 
the United Kingdom, and to facilitate the distribution to consumers. 
METHODS. 
It is proposed to effect these objects by the means of meetings and 
conferences in the metropolis and the provinces ; the collection from 
all districts of reliable information bearing on the subjects, its dissemi¬ 
nation through the daily and horticultural press ; by the publication of 
annual reports with such others of a special character as the funds of 
the Association may permit; and by securing the adherence of local 
societies to the object of the Association. 
MEMBERSHIP. 
A subscription of not less than 5s. annually shall entitle any person 
duly elected to membership of the Association, including admission to 
all conferences and general meetings, one copy of each publication 
issued by the Association, and such farther privileges as may b« 
subsequently determined. First subscriptions to be paid at the date of 
joining, and subsequently annually on January 1st. 
OFFICERS. 
The officers of the Association shall comprise a President, Vice- 
Presidents, a Treasurer, and two Honorary Secretaries. 
COMMITTEES. 
The business of the Association shall be conducted by the officers, a 
General Committee of forty members, an Executive Committee of fifteen 
members, five to form a quorum, and special Sub-Committees to be 
elected by the latter, the officers being ex-officio members of all 
Committees. 
ELECTION OF MEMBERS, OFFICERS, AND COMMITTEES. 
Proposed members of the Association to be nominated by two 
members and elected at any meeting. 
The officers to be elected annually. 
Ten members of the General Committee to retire annually, but to be 
eligible for re-election ; the retiring members in the first two years to 
be decided by ballot, and subsequently in the order of election. 
Nominees for the Committee to be proposed and seconded by two 
members of the Association at the annual general meeting. All 
elections to be effected by open voting. 
The Executive Committee to be elected by the General Committee 
