50 
TIIE FLOKIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ APRIL, 
and abroad—lias obligingly furnished us with 
the following notes on this subject:— 
The Masdevallias should be potted in a 
mixture of rough fibrous peat and chopped 
sphagnum moss, which should be pressed 
moderately firm about the roots; whilst to 
keep the roots moist, and to present a pleasing 
surface to the eye, the soil in the pots 
which has white, purple-blotched flowers, is an 
example of this set, and makes rather a pretty 
tuft into the bargain. There is also a set of 
Masdevallias having flowers of a curious weird 
aspect, such as M. Chimcera, which has creamy- 
yellow flowers, with dark spotting and a shaggy 
surface, and bears a slipper in place of the lip, 
and the odd-looking brownish M. Nycterina , 
compared to the night-bird. Of the former of 
these the annexed figure, derived from the 
Gardeners’ Chronicle , gives a good idea, though 
shown on a considerably reduced scale, as, in¬ 
deed, are the other species represented. 
Most of the Masdevallias , but not quite all, 
belong to what are known in gardens as “cool” 
orchids. All the more beautiful forms belong 
to this set. Mr. Williams, who is one of the 
best cultivators of Orchids generally—as wit¬ 
ness his success at exhibitions, both at home 
should be covered with living sphagnum. They 
will not bear a strong heat, and they must on 
no account be allowed to suffer from drought. 
They do not require a season of rest, like many 
others of this family, but continue growing on 
throughout the year, if a genial moist atmo¬ 
sphere is provided for them. This moisture 
must be produced by condensation, and not by 
deluging them with water from the syringe. 
The drainage must be kept in perfect order, for 
the plants cannot endure either soured soil or 
