ON STANHOPEAi 
61 
evident that they require to be placed in soil of an open texture, 
confined about them only at intervals, or their flower-stem will 
not be able to protrude, and consequently perish ; this has in¬ 
duced the use of baskets, and for these and all other pendent 
flowering species they offer decided advantages over any other 
mode. The neatest in appearance, and most durable material 
we have yet seen for the construction of these baskets, is the 
smaller kind of bamboo canes, such as are usually employed for 
umbrella handles ; they may be bought at a trifling price, 
while in the rough, and can be cut into lengths and used as they 
are required. Baskets thus made are very light, rather orna¬ 
mental than otherwise, and will last several years ; a matter of 
no mean consideration in the culture of Stanhopeas, which do 
not thrive if frequently removed. The soil in which they 
delight is a mixture of turfy heath-mould, containing a large 
proportion of decayed vegetable matter, and sphagnum ; an 
equal quantity of each will afford a suitable medium for the full 
supply of nutriment to the roots of the plants, observing to cut 
the moss rather small previously to using it. Very much of the 
success that should be attendant on the management of these 
plants depends on the application of water. It is necessary, to 
insure a vigorous growth, that a plentiful allowance be given at 
the proper season, and continued until near the perfection of the 
new parts ; so also it is necessary that a very considerable re¬ 
duction be made immediately after this period, in order to 
thoroughly ripen the additional pseudo-bulbs, and to induce 
them to flower ; and in a corresponding degree, and at the same 
time, there should be an increase and diminution of tempe¬ 
rature, the rise and fall of the latter agreeing with the presence 
and absence of moisture. A liberal supply of moisture consists, 
in our estimation, of a moderate quantity applied to the roots 
about three or four times in a week, just enough to moisten the 
whole mass of mould throughout, and the application of steam 
for an hour every night and morning ; the most proper time to 
begin the system is when the plants first indicate an inclination 
to grow, by the swelling of the buds at the base of the pseudo¬ 
bulbs. It must be understood, that though we advise a decided 
difference in the supply at the growing season and afterwards, 
yet we do not recommend an entire cessation: sufficient must 
be given to prevent the pseudo-bulbs shrivelling, or the effect 
will be a puny attempt at flowering. The maximum tempe- 
g 3 
