196 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, January 1, 1861. 
first tiling our “roots” do after planting or potting is to flower 
away most heartily in very sandy soil; and how Yan Houtte 
blooms them when they go to rest, as you say, shows that he 
means quite a different family of bulbs altogether. But why go 
to the Continent to get cheap bulbs, and wrong names, and false 
notions, when the true and sterling can be had in London for an 
extra trifle ? Have you the monograph on bulbs and tubers just 
published by the Wellington Road Nursery firm p] 
STOYE OBCHIDS. 
(Continued from page 175.) 
WINTER TREATMENT. 
Application of Water. — Syringing. —During this season 
most of the Orchids should be at rest, or preparing for that state, 
and, therefore, do not require syringing, especially such species 
as have pseudo-bulbs. Some few, however, that are of an herb¬ 
aceous habit, as, for instance, the genus Huntleya, require the 
constant use of the syringe all the year, because in their native 
habitats they grow near the spray of waterfalls. Also, such of 
the Indian species as have no pseudo-bulbs should on the morn¬ 
ings when the sun shines have a gentle dewing from the syringe. 
This class of plants, of which iE rides is the type, if exposed for 
a long time to a high, dry heat, will be apt to shrivel, showing 
that they are perishing, or at least starving for want of moisture. 
Whenever this is perceived let them have such a syringing as 
may renew their strength. It is a good plan to place all such 
plants together in the house, in order that in wetting them 
others that do not need so much, or any in winter, may be kept 
dry. Plants that are grown on logs need more water from the 
syringe than such as are grown in pots: therefore, continue to 
moisten such even when at rest occasionally, to keep them fresh 
and healthy. 
Watering with the Garden-pot. —In winter this implement 
will be very little required. Keep the compost just moist 
enough to prevent the leaves from drying up too much. The 
terrestrial species with bulbs should be placed on a shelf where 
no water can reach them when at rest. Others that are herb¬ 
aceous and evergreen should have enough water to keep them 
gently growing. The genus Cypripedium, and similar genera, 
require watering all the yvar, but of course less in winter than 
in summer. This partial cessation of moisture in dark, un- 
genial weather gives a kind of rest even to such species, enabling 
them to start into vigorous growth in spring, and flower more 
abundantly. The grower must be content with these general 
instructions on this important subject of watering in winter. 
Experience and observation must guide him as to the particular 
time to cease giving water to the plants when going to rest. 
With these few preliminary remarks on watering, I now proceed 
as I did on summer treatment, to give a calendarial monthly 
account of work to be done in the Orchid-house in winter, com¬ 
mencing with 
September. —In this month we have often cold nights : hence 
it is necessary to look in the early part of the month and see 
that the fireplace and liot-water pipes are in good order. When 
the thermometer out of doors indicates 45° in the morning, light 
the fire and raise the internal heat to 60° without sun, and 65° 
with sun. Let the fire die out at night, so that the heat may be 
lowest during the night. Shading may now be dispensed with. 
Let the blinds be taken down and stored away in a dry room. 
Give air only when the sun shines, and attend to syringing and 
watering as directed above. 
October. —The general stock of plants should now have 
perfected their annual growth. Many of the Dendrobii will be 
shedding their leaves on the perfected bulbs. These leaves 
should be removed as they ripen and decay to prevent mouldi- 
ness. All plants in that state should be removed to a cooler 
house to induce perfect rest. Calanthe vestita and some others 
will be in flower, arid such ought to be kept dry on the foliage and 
flowers, but moist at the roots. See that the roots of Cycnoches 
and allied genera are in a dry state, or they will perish and thus 
weaken the next year’s growth. In this month collect soils, 
6uch as fibry peat, both with and without sand, sphagnum moss, 
cowdung, turfy loam, dried leaves, &c.; also, break potsherds, 
make hooked pegs, and order new pots if needed, so that when 
all these articles are wanted they may be ready at hand. Keep 
the fires going in cold weather as directed for last month. 
November. —Proverbial for being dull, dark, and dreary. 
Such weather has its influence even upon plants in an artificial 
climate. The Orchid-grower will find it necessary to keep up a 
moderate dry atmosphere, and fires almost night and day. 
Should sunny days occur give a little air and raise a moisture by 
wetting the warm flues or pipes in the mornings only. Cold 
nights will now happen, and if moisture settles upon the leaves 
they will not be benefited but injured thereby. Keep down 
growths now, for shoot3 made now are sure to be weak if they 
manage to exist through the winter. Should any dust or green 
confervse appear on the leaves or surface of the composts let 
them be removed, the first by washing the leaves with a soft 
pieee of leather or sponge (I prefer the first), and the others with 
the finger and thumb, or a short, flat-pointed stick, always being 
mindful not to injure the roots. Look to the fires and keep up 
a drier atmosphere. 
December. —In this month we have often clear, bright, 
sunny days. If not very frosty admit air over the warm pipes, 
and steam the houses whenever such a bright day is likely to 
occur. Some Dendrobiums will now be showing their flower- 
buds. If desired to bloom early such should be removed to a 
warm part of the house, and others kept back by being cool. 
By this method the season of blooming may be greatly extended. 
Many of the American species, such as Cattleya, Lafiia, &c., will 
now be making fresh roots, but let not the amateur be tempted 
thereby to increase watering them. The moist air of the house 
with slight syringing just on the roots, will be sufficient for them. 
Too much moisture would only induce premature, weak, non¬ 
blooming shoots. L T se the fires just to raise the heat enough to 
keep the plants from suffering from cold. This is a good season 
to destroy insects, for the methods of doing which see Insects. 
January.— Some plants during this month will be beginning 
to grow. The old but handsome Phaius grandifolius is an 
example. Such should be freely watered and otherwise encouraged 
to grow on to’flower. In this month the genus Cyrtopodium 
should be potted and gradually induced to grow, in order that 
its large pseudo-bulbs may be fully developed. Should the 
weather be very severe, and it can be managed, cover the roof 
with some light substance that will keep off the frost. This will 
be much better than forcing up a great fire heat. Give moisture 
in the mornings only, and air on all favom'able occasions. 
T. Appleby. 
(To he continued .) 
NEW BOOK. 
The Rose Annual.*— In this beautiful Annual of Mr. 
Paul’s, we have all the information relating to Roses that has 
been gathered together during the past year. We have first of 
all four beautifully drawn portraits by Andrews of Empereur 
de Maroc, Yictor Yerdier, Due de Magenta, and Comtesse cle 
Chabrilliant—four magnificent Roses ; and then we have a great 
deal of pleasing talk about the merits and performances of the 
best kinds of Roses during the past season. This is a really 
useful publication, skilfully prepared, au( j one -which cannot 
fail to be highly appreciated by all who are admirers of this 
lovely flower. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY’S MEETING. 
The December Meeting of the Entomological Society was 
held on the 3rd ult., J. W. Douglas, Esq., President being in 
the chair. 
A box of very fine Beetles, recently received by Mr. Stevens 
from Mr. Wallace, captured in Ceram one of the islands of the 
Eastern Archipelago, were exhibited, containing specimens of 
the interesting Longicorn Beetles, Pasccea Idse and Monohammus 
Grayi; also both sexes of the singular Eucheirus longimanus; 
likewise some beautiful Buprestidre, Lucanidse, &c. 
Mr. King exhibited a box of rare British Lepidoptera, including 
Leucanea putrescens. 
The Rev. Mr. Hogan exhibited specimens of an apparently 
new pliyllopodous Crustacean belonging to the genus Clieiro- 
cephalus, and some blind Well Shrimps (Nephargus sp. ?) from 
the neighbourhood of Andover. 
Mr. Lubbock communicated a notice of a curious parasite 
found in the bodies of humble bees, named by Leon Dufour 
Sphaerularia Bombi. This creature was only known in an adult 
* The Hose Annual for 1860-61. By William Paul, F.H.S. London; 
| Kent & Co. 
