110 
THE FLOEIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ MAY, 
and bears usually three or four flowers, though it would appear from Dr. Lindley’s 
description that as many as eight are sometimes produced. The dorsal sepal is 
downy outside, dull pale green within ; the petals are spathulate, twice as long as 
the lip, green, marked with distinct brown purple spots on the lower half, wholly 
dull purple above, the margin ciliated ; and the lip is smooth and shining, of a dull 
brown, with a purplish tinge, bluntly oblong, notched in front, and haying two 
bluntish ascending lobes, and behind each a triangular tooth. The sterile stamen 
is obcordate, with a triangular tooth in the apical sinus, and a central horn at 
the opposite end, both the horn and the edge bristling with pur^Dle hairs. 
This species has been introduced in large quantities during the last few years, 
but it is somewhat difficult to establish, and consequently will never become over¬ 
abundant. Nor is it, indeed, a matter of wonder that so many of these plants 
refuse to grow, if we take into consideration the great length of the journey, and 
the excessive heat of the latitudes through which they have to travel, for as they 
have no pseudobulbs to act as storehouses of nourishment, the roots and leaves 
are in most instances dried up to such an extent, that very little vitality remains 
in them by the time they reach this country. Hence, on opening the boxes, 
death is too often found to reign supreme, though occasionally, to the great 
delight of lovers of this beautiful species, a consignment arrives in excellent 
condition. 
When first taken in hand, the plants should be placed in moderate heat, and 
in a moist atmosphere, very little water being given, and great care being taken 
that none is allowed to remain in the heart of the plant. After they are estab¬ 
lished, a liberal supply of water may be given, both from watering-pot and 
syringe. The temperature of the East Indian house will be necessary. The 
soil should be fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, in equal proportions, adding a 
little silver-sand, and some small pieces of charcoal. It is of the utmost import¬ 
ance always to drain well.— Benjamin S. Williams, Victoria Nursery^ Holloway. 
THE AMATEUR’S PAGE. 
|N continuing my remarks on the Chrysanthemum from p. 39, it now 
becomes necessary to make some observations on the Soil, which, in the 
course of my experience, I have found to be a very puzzling affair to 
amateur cultivators. Now, for those who cannot find a supply from their 
own resources, it is far best to state their wants to a respectable nurser 3 maan, 
who will furnish them, at a reasonable rate, with the the necessary composts ; 
but many will have the means of getting together heaps of turfy loam, leaf-mould, 
sand, road-scrapings, and rotten manure, and a stock of these should be kept on 
hand in separate heaps, and mixed as occasion requires. 
In the early stages of the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum there is not so 
much necessity to be particular about the soil. The first great requisite is a 
good stock of roots, and to encourage this there should be perfect drainage, and 
