February O.J 
rating them that a rich soil formed of similar materials, 
is the most suitable. The compost that we use is a mix¬ 
ture of very sandy peat, very fibrous loam, half rotted 
| leaves, pieces of rotten wood, and pieces of charcoal. In 
i this compost they grow luxuriantly, and flower freely. 
Such species as have pendant flower stems are potted 
1 high ; that is, the plants are set upon a little hillock in 
the centre of the pots. When in flower, tho pots con¬ 
taining the plants are set upon other pots tall enough to 
elevate them so much as to allow the flowers to be seen 
to advantage in their natural drooping position. The 
other species, of which the flower stems are erect, may be 
potted in the usual way, level with the rims of the pots. 
Summer Culture. —As the most part of this genus aro 
natives of India, they should be grown in the warmest 
house. In summer, the heat should be 85° by day and 
70° by night. When growing, they should have plenty 
of water at the root, and be frequently syringed over¬ 
head. In their native country, the rainy season lasts for 
two or three months, and there is at that time no mis¬ 
take about the matter. The rain pours down in torrents, 
completely soaking all vegetation, from the orchid that 
, grows on the highest trees to the creeping moss at their 
roots. It is during this truly wet season that the orchids 
make their growth, and when it ceases send forth their 
beautiful flowers in great luxuriance ; at least the Gym- 
bidiums do, though there are numbers that require a 
season of rest previously to blooming— Dendrobiums for 
instance. Such being the conditions in their native 
wilds, it follows that in our stoves the treatment should 
approximate as much as possible to it, in order to obtain 
the same or finer results. We have no doubt, excepting 
in peculiarly favoured instances, the orchids in our stoves 
are, like our pine-apples and grapes, much finer in a 
state of cidtivation than they are generally found wild. 
Winter Culture. —As soon as the annual growths are 
perfected, cease watering in a great measure, but not 
altogether, for the roots of these plants are very fleshy, 
and would shrivel and perish if left quite dry for a long 
season. The temperature should be considerably reduced, 
60° by day and 55° by night will be the proper heat; but 
whilst in this low temperature the air of the house 
should be moderately dry and the syringing entirely 
cease. 
Cypripediums. —We have already written upon the 
culture and described the species belonging to this genus 
at page 310 of the third volume of The Cottage Gar¬ 
dener, and to that page we must refer our readers. 
C. filjpes (Thread-stalked); Guatimala.—Sepals and 
petals reddish brown, striped, and bordered with yellow; 
lip pure yellow. The flowers are produced on long 
slender stems. We have seen a specimen with nine 
stems of flowers, and then it was really a pretty 
object, though each flower individually is but small. It 
is worth cultivation. 15s. 
C. flavescens (Straw-coloured); Mexico.—Sepals and 
petals pale yellow; tho lip is deep yellow, spotted 
with red. This species is rather sliy to flower, but 
when it does so it is very pretty. The plant itself is 
of neat habit, and may be flowered by severe resting. 
31s. 6d. 
C. maculatum (Spotted); Vera Cruz.—Sepals and 
petals greenish yellow, striped with fine purple; the 
lip is whitish, with some stains of red. The flowers 
are large, produced on spikes a foot or eighteen' inches 
long, standing pretty upright. This is a really fine 
species, well worthy of cultivation. 31s. Cd 
There are two or three varieties; the best of them is 
named C. maculatum, var. Russellianum. Of this variety 
Mr. Skinner says, “ Its habitat is a cold climate, and its 
treatment will be the same as Oncidvum leucochilum ; it 
luxuriates amongst pines, but only attaching itself to 
oaks. No plant of the Orchidias tribe is ever found, 
except Catesetum, towards the north coast; but there 
293 
these plants form such a mass of hairy roots, as to secure 
them completely from tho influence of the pitch which 
in all hot climates constantly exudes from the pines. 
Climate, 65° to 70° generally.” This variety has very 
large richly spotted flowers. Very scarce. 03s. 
C. mystacinum (Whiskered C.); Peru.—Sepals, petals, 
and lip bright yellow; the column is curiously fringed j 
or whiskered. The flowers, though small, are very 
beautiful, and pretty numerously situated on rather i 
tall flower-stems. 42s. 
C. stellatum (Star-like C.); Brazil.—The sepals and 
petals when expanded, form a star with five points. 
They are cream coloured, with markings of pink in the 
centre of the flower. It is slightly fragrant. 21s. 
Culture. —These plants are easily cultivated. They 
thrive best in a moderately-heated house. The Mexican 
house is the suitable place. The compost for them 
should be formed with lumps of peaty turf, with all the 
fine earth sifted out from them, and then a few pieces of 
charcoal and broken potsherds mixed amongst it. Drain 
well by turning a small pot upside down over the hole, 
and filling round it with largish pieces of potsherds ; pot 
them rather high in the pot. The potting season is 
when they begin to grow, which, if the resting season is 
well and timely managed, should be about this time 
(February). Pot in time, before the new roots begin to 
push forth; for we know no roots so brittle and liable to 
iujury, from the least touch, as those of orchids. This 
genus will bear greater extremes of culture than any one 
we know. They will grow and flower well in a common 
stove, or they will bear and do well amongst the natives 
of India; but the medium treatment is the best, and 
most prudent. Water gently at the first; but as the 
pseudo-bulbs begin to swell, give abundance of that 
liquid, to encourage the production of large growths. As 
soon as the bulbs are fully grown, reduce the quantity 
of water, and during winter give very little: once a 
month will be quite sufficient. T. Appleby. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Roses for Exhibition. —Those intended to be exhibited 
in May should now be prepared to commence growing 
for that purpose. Before placing them in the pit or 
house give them a good soaking of manure water, which 
may be made by steeping horse clrojipings in water 
in a large tub or hogshead. One bushel of the drop¬ 
pings will make sixteen gallons of strong liquid manure; 
add a shovel of soot, which will add to the richness of 
the liquid manure, and will be very distasteful to the 
worms. This will be too strong at the first brewing, 
and should be reduced by adding as much more water 
when used. After the first lot is used, pom as much 
more water to the dung, add a little more soot, stir it up 
to the bottom with a strong stick, and let it stand for a 
week, it will then be nearly as strong as the first lot. 
About the first week in March, the first lot of Roses to 
be exhibited in May should be placed in a gentle heat 
of 50°, and plenty of air should be given in fine sunny 
days. The green fly will soon appear on the young 
leaves and buds, and as soon as it is observed smoke 
the house or pit with tobacco. The “ worm i’ the bud ” 
will also begin its destructive propensities, and must be 
diligently sought for and destroyed by crushing it with 
the thumb and finger. Use the syringe almost every 
day, as that will cause the buds to swell kindly, and 
prevent the approach of that insidious enemy the red 
spider. Train the young shoots to sticks in an open 
manner, so as to allow every leaf its due share of light. 
Avoid particularly too much haste in forcing, as that will 
cause weak shoots, small flowers, and pale colour in the 
flowers. Place the Rose plants as near the glass as 
possible to prevent weak spindly shoots, and imperfect 
leaves. T. Appleby. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
