WCP6171

[1]

SHERWOOD,

KENILWORTH.

NEAR CAPE TOWN.

Nov 29, 1893

A.R. Wallace Esq.

My dear Sir,

I wrote you a fortnight ago & referred to some Orchid tubers I had. These I now send by parcel post per mail to-day & hope they may reach you — I do not suppose you will think them packed or arranged very methodically but it was the best I could do just now.

These tubers may be regarded for convenience of treatment into as of two regions — the mountains & the "flats" — [2] I have not been able to name the tubers by species because they were mixed by my servant & I had not time to see to them myself. But I think this will not matter because the same general treatment will apply to each of the two divisions.

Those from the flats lie at the bottom of the box & are covered by a sheet of thin paper. I believe they include

Disa cornuta

" lacera (= Venusta mihi in Orch C.P.)

(& possibly)

D. lugens —

Satyrium coriifolium [3]

Those from the mountains lie next — the very small ones packed in a separate small box —

These include

Disa purpurascens — fine large tubers & should do well

Disa Richardiana

" maculata

" fasciata

" tennifolia

" rosea

& there may also possibly be one or two

Disa racemosa

" vaginata

" uniflora (grandiflora)

Holothrix condensata

Some of these are extremely small — from ¹/₈ to ¹/₂₀ of an inch in diameter & may easily escape notice.

Those from the 'flats' grow in a very light sandy soil — the tubers ½ in to 1 in below the surface — & are very dry in summer or about the flowering time (tho' soaked in winter). Those from the [4] mountains are less dried out in summer — & in <fact> Disa Richardiana & D. rosea — ^{(altho' you cannot distinguish these)} grow often in constantly moist clefts of rocks below wet moss & with little earth —

Disa purpurascens

" lugens

" cornuta

Satyrium coriifolium

are somewhat robust[;] almost all the others small & delicate —

Very thorough drainage, free fresh air & plenty of sunshine will be the most important elements of success —

All of these sent to-day are described in the Orch. Cape <Province>, — so if any grow & flower you will easily make them out. For many of them I am indebted to a friend of mine M^r C.B.Fair an enthusiastic lover of nature & who has been up the mount for the purpose when I told him for whom I wanted them & I hope in Febr. he will get me some good D. graminifolia tubers.

With kind regards | Yours sincerely | Harry Bolus¹ [signature]