66 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
afterwards to collecting and sending home 
plants, especially Orchids, in which Guatemala 
was especially rich. His first collection, 
though gathered at random, contained nothing 
but novelties, including the now well-known 
Barkeria Skinneri, Epidendrum aromaticum, 
and E. aurantiacum, Oncidium Cavendish- 
ianum and 0. leucochilum, and Odontoglossum 
bictoniense, the first member of that now 
popular genus that ever reached England 
alive. Mr. Skinner was the first to find 
Odontoglossum grande, his own particular pet, 
0. Uro-Skinneri, 0. rubescens, and 0. pul- 
chellum, with its small though lovely and 
deliciously scented white flowers. The Cow’s- 
horn Orchis (Schomburgkiatibicinis), Epiden¬ 
drum Stamfordianum, and E. alatum, were 
all detected in the Gulf of Dolce, while not 
far from the same coast the charming Cattleya 
Skinneri was discovered. The noble Lselia 
superbiens, and the stately Epidendrum 
cnemidophorum his latest discovery, were met 
with at much greater elevations, as was like¬ 
wise the invaluable Lycaste Skinneri, which 
now enjoys, and, indeed, richly merits, an 
amount of popularity such as has not been 
accorded to any other Orchid. Though 
Orchids were his favourite plants, he did not 
neglect other tribes, as is attested by such 
names as Aquilegia Skinneri and Uro- 
Skinnera speciosa, given to some of his in¬ 
troductions. Mr. Skinner was past sixty 
years of age, and having worked hard all his 
life, began at length to desire repose; he 
therefore bad resolved to retire from business, 
and to settle for the residue of his years in his 
native land. With this purpose in view he 
sailed on the 2nd December last for Guatemala, 
with the intention of winding up his affairs, 
and then returning to England in the autumn 
of the present year. Had he been permitted 
to carry out these plans, he would have crossed 
the A tlantic forty times : but this was not to 
be. At Aspinwall he caught the yellow 
fever, of which he died on Wednesday, the 
9th of January. 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
STOVE AND ORCHID-HOUSES. 
W hilst the days were short it was recom¬ 
mended not to stimulate plants to make 
growth in the absence of sufficient light, but 
now the days are about as long from sunrise 
to sunset as they are in spring in the tropics, 
the temperature may be 65° to 70° at night, 
rising to 80° or 85° by sun heat. This will be 
suitable for stove plants and Orchids from the 
hotter tropical regions. Those from colder 
localities which do not exhibit signs of active 
growth may be allowed to rest in a lower 
temperature. Both stove plants and Orchids 
will require a supply of water in proportion to 
the vigour of their growth, and the tempera¬ 
ture under which it is being made. Observe 
such kinds as are about to make fresh growth, 
and shift if necessary. After doing so, a 
slight shading will be required, and a close 
atmosphere, so that sufficient moisture may 
be maintained with little water till fresh 
roots are started; then as new leaves are 
produced, more air and water will be re¬ 
quired. Plants in flower should be kept 
rather dry. 
GREENHOUSE. 
In clear weather the sun’s rays are power¬ 
ful in this month; but in such weather the 
nights are often frosty, so that we have two 
extremes to guard against. Shading from 
either is an advisable precaution. The day 
screen should be withdrawn early in the after¬ 
noon, as from the rays of a declining sun, say 
after 3 or 4 p.m., there is seldom danger of 
over-heating: therefore they may then be freely 
admitted and the house accordingly be shut up 
early. If it happen that the temperature gets 
too high for want of air, there is then danger in 
admitting it so as to lower the temperature 
many degrees. The right mode of proceeding 
in such a case is not to reduce in the least 
the excess of temperature by this means, 
but merely to prevent its rising higher, for 
solely on this principle air should be given. 
Camellias will now be in flower. Let them 
be regularly supplied with water to prevent 
their flowers from dropping, and when their 
blooming is over let the plants be placed in a 
cooler temperature shaded from hot sun. The 
same may be said of Azaleas. Ericas must 
be carefully supplied with water, especially if 
dry easterly winds become prevalent. Cine¬ 
rarias in succession to those now in flower 
must be potted; beware of the attacks of green 
fly, to which these plants are so exceedingly 
liable. Pelargoniums .—The general stock of 
these are usually started into growth at this 
season, previously to which the condition of 
the roots and the soil in the pots should be 
examined, to ascertain that the 1 atter has not 
become dry and almost impervious to water, 
and consequently so far useless. Let any 
plants that are in this condition be repotted. 
CONSERVATORY. 
Camellias will require to be attended to 
with regard to water at the roots, but care¬ 
fully, so as to give no more than is sufficient. 
Withhold syringing when the weather is dull 
and moist, but supply water more liberally 
when the weather is clear, saving, of course, 
the expanded flowers; the foliage may be freely 
syringed. A succession of Roses , Chinese 
Primulas, Hyacinths , and other plants dis- 
