CULTIVATION OF CATTLEYA. 
181 
being so very fleshy that the least damp lying about them will 
destroy them, and prevent the plant from getting firmly fixed to 
its destined spot; and if they cannot do this there is no chance of 
their ever attaining perfection in their growth. Some parties re¬ 
commend that small potsherds should be put along with the peat; 
but against this I strongly protest, as being injurious to the health 
of the plants. In the first place, it prevents the roots from going 
forward, and very often destroys them altogether ; and, in the 
second place, it accumulates a great deal of unnecessary moisture, 
which is sure to destroy the roots as soon as they come in contact 
with it. In no case where potsherds have been mixed with the 
peat have I seen the roots healthy or of any length ; but, on the 
contrary, they invariably appeared black and stunted, and never 
had a firm hold in their situations. Whereas, when potted in 
fibrous peat they are long and healthy; and when they get 
through the peat they commence taking hold of the large pot¬ 
sherds, or they attach themselves to the sides of the pot: by this 
means they get firmly established, and so attain much greater per¬ 
fection in their growth than they otherwise would do, even with 
the best after treatment. 
The best time for potting is the growing season ; because then 
the plants are about to make new roots ; and as the old roots are 
of little use to the plant after it is moved, the greatest care should 
be taken not to injure the young ones, because these are the only 
means by which the plant can be fixed to the place of its growth. 
As soon as the plant has done growing, and when its pseudo-bulbs 
have attained their full size, it should be allowed to go to rest; 
that is, it should have little or no water until it again shows signs 
of growth, which will be evinced by the buds beginning to burst. 
Immediately after this the plant should have a small portion of 
water, and it should be increased as the buds develope themselves. 
When they get into a strong state of growth, they should have 
plenty of moisture ; for if they have not water at this time, or if 
only a scanty supply, the pseudo-bulbs will be small and feeble ; 
and the flowers will also be small; and most likely the plant will 
not be able to perfect any flower whatsoever. Cattleya should, 
by all means, have their flowers developed and grown in a strong 
moist peat, because then they will be of much larger size than if 
they were developed in dry peat. When, however, the flowers 
are developed, the plants should be instantly taken to the dry 
