268 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
bears about six most lovely nodding blossoms ; but, 
according to Mr. Skinner (who introduced it), it 
varies from three inches to a foot, producing as 
many as twelve flowers in a raceme. The expanded 
flowers are nearly three-and-a-half inches across, 
their colour is a bright lilac. The labellum is white 
at the base, lilac at the edges and point, and richly 
marked with small blood-red spots along the mid¬ 
dle; below the column, are five purple lines, which 
pass into three elevated colourless ridges beyond the 
place where the anther touches the lip. It is with 
Cattleyas, and such charming and beautiful plants, 
that this elegant species is worthy to be arranged. 
This is a correct description of this fine species. It 
was exhibited, for the first time, by Mr. Brewster, 
gardener, at that time, to Mrs. Wray, of Cheltenham, 
in July 1842, at the grand exhibition of the London 
Horticultural Society, at Chiswick. We were pre¬ 
sent at the time, and with pleasure record our testi¬ 
mony to the skill shown in its culture. It lias never 
since been shown in finer condition. We remember 
well the great sensation shewn by the orchid growers 
present, when Mr. Brewster opened the box that con¬ 
tained his beautiful, well-grown, and finely-bloomed 
plant. It had, most deservedly, the highest prize 
given to a single plant awarded to it. Mr. Brewster, 
with that true liberality which always distinguishes 
real merit, made no secret of his mode of culture, 
but immediately published it for the benefit of all 
future cultivators. We are quite sure he will not 
think we are tailing too great a liberty by copying it 
for the benefit of our readers too! We quote his own 
words:—“The plant was imported in July, 1841, 
when it immediately began to grow; late in autumn 
it showed flower scapes, but the season was too 
far advanced to bring them to perfection ; it then 
remained dormant, and lost its leaves, till March 
1812, when it again commenced growing, and ex¬ 
panded its first flowers on the 12th of June. These 
were shown at Chiswick in July, and remained per¬ 
fect for five weeks. The temperature, in which the 
plant was grown, never exceeded 65°, when it could 
be kept under by giving air freely ; while in winter, 
it often fell below 40°. Indeed, my only object was 
to keep out the frost, and I invariably gave a little 
air whenever it could be done with safety. In the 
summer, the windows and doors of the orchideous 
house are open every day, and I am of opinion that 
the orchidace® of Guatemala cannot be kept too 
cool in this country at that time, for the more air 
I give, the better they grow. I always, however, 
keep the house damp.” The plant thus exhibited, 
was grown in a thin layer of moss, in a basket. With 
that exception, the above treatment exactly corres¬ 
ponds with that which Mr. Plant followed, as we 
mentioned, at the page quoted above in The Cot¬ 
tage Gardener. We cultivate it chiefly on blocks, 
hung up near to the place where air is given; syring¬ 
ing freely during the growing season, but very sel¬ 
dom when at rest, not oftener than once a month, 
or even six weeks in dull weather. We do not think 
the using of moss any advantage, and peat is quite 
fatal to its existence. One plant, or rather several 
small bits, were fastened, two years ago, to a kind of 
raft, or open basket, with only one rod round the 
sides raised above the rest. No moss or peat was 
laid upon this basket. The plants began to grow in 
the spring, and made good growth that summer. 
They have continued to thrive and flower well up to 
tlxis time; and some of the shoots are eight inches 
high, and strong in proportion. Another plant, re¬ 
ceived from Guatemala at the same time, was a mass 
^February 14. 
of shoots in a dormant state. It was fastened to a 
block, and the year following had made such strong 
fine growth, that a gentleman purchased it, and was 
glad to have it for eight guineas. It had then about 
twelve good stems. 
The plants are grown on blocks, without any moss, 
and are placed as near as possible to the air-giving 
places, as we stated above. Exactly the same treat¬ 
ment will suit all the genus. It may be summed up 
in a few words:—Place them on naked blocks, or in 
a shallow basket, without moss or peaL Hang them 
up where they will obtain the greatest quantity of 
air, and keep the house comparatively cool, but 
always damp. Syringe freely from March to the 
end of July, after that, very seldom, and only just 
enough to prevent the roots and pseudo-bulbs from 
drying too much. The temperature of the Mexican 
house will suit them well. 
There is another species, Barkeria elegans, which 
was the first of the family introduced from Mexico to 
this country by Mr. Barker. We are very much 
afraid it is entirely lost, and we fear that unhappy 
fate is owing entirely to a mistaken treatment. Had 
the above method been followed, we have no doubt 
the plants would now have been thriving and plenti¬ 
ful. Like a number of rare plants now lost, they 
have been killed with too much kindness. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Auricula and Polyanthus. —These lovely spring 
flowers will now be awakening from the sleep of 
winter. The centre of each plant, if healthy, will 
indicate appearances of growth. They will require 
a little trimming; remove all decayed leaves, and 
stir the surface of the soil a little. Should any worm 
casts show themselves on the surface, turn the ball 
carefully out of the pot, pick out all that are visible, 
and pat the ball gently with the hand, which will 
often alarm the worm that may be concealed inside 
the ball, and he will soon poke his nose out, .and 
work his way out of the imaginary danger. Do not 
touch him till you are quite sure he cannot slink 
back again. As soon as you think you have got rid 
of them all, replace the ball again carefully in the 
pot, and, if necessary, put a little fresh compost to 
fill up the pot. A little water of moderate tempera¬ 
ture may now be given, but be sure to apply it on 
the morning of a promising fine day. Cover up 
securely every evening, however mild it may be. In 
this country, we are never safe from frosts till May 
sets in with its genial warmth. If these flowers once 
get crippled by a frosty night, the fine bloom will be 
sadly spoiled for this season. It will be a good time 
now to place under cover a portion of compost for 
the purpose of top-dressing. At this time, an addi¬ 
tion to the usual compost, of about one-eighth of 
three-years-old, very rotten, and mellow cow-dung, 
would be useful, and help to bring out the blooms 
fine, both in size and colour. Mix it now with the 
compost, so as to be ready whenever you begin to 
top-dress the plants. The time for this operation 
depends upon the season and the state of the plants. 
If both are earlier than usual, the top-dressing may 
be safely done by the end of this month; but, if 
backward, the first week in March will be early 
enough. Another important point to be particularly- 
attended to, is to give abundance of air and light on 
all favourable occasions. Every fine, dry morning, 
I draw the lights completely oil’, and expose the plants 
j to the invigorating influences of early spring. This 
! will refresh and strengthen them greatly. Even on 
I rainy mornings, give air by propping up the lights ; 
