three inches in diameter, one or two on a spike, white or yellowish, waxy, lip rich rose, varying to lilac. This plant blooms constantly at all seasons. Bot. Reg., tab. 897.

ODONTOGLOSSUM.

Doubtless

A large genus of generally cool orchids. many of these beautiful plants could be grown in the parlor; we have, however, had experience with only one.

0. grande. A noble species, with dark evergreen foliage. Flowers on erect racemes, five inches across; glossy yellow, beautifully barred with chocolate; produced freely in autumn and early winter.

Pot in sphagnum moss, coarse peat, and charcoal.

Treated as prescribed for Lycaste Skinneri it blooms freely.

CYPRIPEDIUM.

A very large genus, inhabiting in some species both continents, both in the temperate and torrid zones. The plants are commonly known as Lady's Slipper. We have in our woods beautiful species, and among exotics many no less

attractive.

Our native species, if potted late in the autumn, will bloom in the window in early spring.

The best species for parlor culture is

insigne. A noble plant from Nepal; foliage narrow, dark green; flower solitary (rarely two), three inches broad, greenish edged with white; wings long, purple and yellow. The flowers are very freely produced from November to February, and last two months in perfection.

We have now (January, 1876) a plant in the parlor window, with thirty-six flowers, which has been in full beauty for four weeks; the pot is two feet in diameter, and this plant has been grown from a single small pot in two years. 'This, however, was in the greenhouse; but in the parlor the growth, though slower, is no less satisfactory.

Soil, rich peaty loam. This plant should never be allowed to get dry, and requires very little rest. Grow in full sunshine.

C. venustum. A pretty species, with beautiful, variegated foliage; flowers, rich brown, green, and chocolate, but not very showy.

Requires the same soil and general treatment as the last.

BLETIA.

A family of terrestrial orchids of easy culture. The rootstocks should be potted in autumn, grown with plenty of

sun and water.

The flowers are produced in March on terminal spikes, and though transient, are very pretty.

Soil, rich loam. After blooming, the foliage dies away and the roots go to rest.

B. hyacinthina. A delicate species, with purple flowers, marked with white, somewhat resembling our wild Calopogon. Easily grown.

PHAIUS.

These plants are tall growers, with large broad evergreen foliage, and tall scapes of large handsome flowers.

They need a rich soil, plenty of water, and full light and sun-heat.

P. grandifolius, a native of China, grows and flowers well in the parlor. Although an orchid it will stand more hard usage than most plants. The flowers are white externally, purplish brown inside, lip white and brown. Blooms freely from January to March. A more showy plant, both in growth and flower, it would be hard to find. We have grown plants, with forty scapes carrying more than five hundred flowers.

GOODYERA.

Pretty terrestrial orchids, of which two species, natives of shady woods, are very pretty parlor plants.

G. pubescens and repens are not rare plants, but if potted in rich leaf mould they are very showy in window culture. The foliage is green, with silver tracery; the flowers white, in erect spikes.

Many rare exotics possess less beauty than these simple native plants.

CHAPTER X.

ROMAN HYACINTHS: forcing for Christmas.

SUCCULENTS as Window Plants.

HOL

HARDY AND HALF HARDY EVERGREENS: Hall and Vestibule Decoration.

LIES. RETINOSPORA. YUCCAS.-TAXUS.-THUJA.-CUPRESSUS.THUJOPSIS.— Propagation of Evergreens by Window Culture.

HE Roman Hyacinth is a charming early blooming

THE

species admirably adapted for forcing, and easily grown in the parlor. It is the earliest autumn-flowering bulb we have, and by potting for succession may be had in bloom from November to March.

Each bulb gives from one to four spikes of pure white deliciously fragrant flowers.

They are best grown in large flat pans, and the bulbs, which are small, should be planted about an inch apart each way.

The soil should be sandy loam, and the plants should be well grown, freely watered, and occasionally with liquid This plant has been long in cultivation, having been introduced in 1596.

manure.