1872. ] 
rendle’s reversible walls. 
15 
to secure flowers which are lasting when cut. There are few plants that fulfil 
these conditions better than the Ccelogyne cristata. No establishment, large or 
small, where there is the convenience of an ordinary plant-stove, ought to be 
without it. When urging its claims, I have often been met with the objection 
that it is an Orchid, and that Orchids are difficult to grow. True, I reply, it is 
an Orchid, but to its other good properties may be added this, that it is as easy 
to grow as a geranium. 
Being a native of the high, comparatively cool, humid regions of Nepal, we 
may at once see the necessity of growing it in an intermediate house, with a 
copious supply of water during its season of growth, and of never allowing it 
to become dry when at rest, otherwise its pseudobulbs will shrivel, and the whole 
plant will suffer. Its flowers, pure white, excepting the base of the labellum, 
which is yellow, are produced freely during the dull months of December and 
January, and will last for a week in a cut state in an ordinary sitting-room, if 
properly supplied with water. For bouquets it is a fitting rival for the Queen of 
Orchids (Phalcenopsis), possessing the advantage of being a much cheaper plant, 
and increasing freely. It is one of the plants that should be grown by those who 
admire the most chaste and exquisite flowers, but who do not care to grow a 
general collection of Orchids. 
Those about to commence its cultivation ought to procure plants early in the 
spring. If they require potting, it should be done about the beginning of March, 
using two-thirds chopped sphagnum and one-third fibrous peat, with a liberal 
admixture of pot-sherds, giving also plenty of drainage, for in bright weather 
the plants will require water every other day. Avoid drying currents, by never 
placing the plants near the openings where air is admitted, or within reach of the 
drying influence of the pipes. Use a slight shade in sunny weather. The plants 
succeed well in an intermediate house, or in a vinery where the grapes have the 
assistance of a little fire-heat. By the end of October or November they will have 
completed their summer’s growth, and begun to push their bloom-spikes, which 
appear at the base of the pseudobulbs. At this stage keep the plants regularly 
supplied with water, but not so wet as during their more active season of growth. 
Moreover, do not apply water overhead, as if the bloom-spikes that are pushing 
up get wet, they are liable to damp off. A temperature of from 50° to 55°, with 
the atmosphere a little drier, will suit the plants whilst in blossom, after which 
they should be kept at something like the same temperature, but as I have 
hinted above, never allowed to become dry.—T. Baines, Southgate. 
RENDLE’S REVERSIBLE WALLS. 
HIS, I take it, is an original invention. It is, however, of more import to learn 
whether it is likely to prove useful. The idea of covering choice espa¬ 
lier trees from spring and autumn frosts, thus saving the blossom-buds, 
and hastening the maturation of the fruit, is a most excellent one. In 
these reversible walls we have the means of doing it for about 5s. per square 
