THE TWAYBLADE IN CULTIVATION. gi 



of the flower is the /z)), which is a remarkable development of one of 

 the inner perianth-segments; it forms the well-known pouch in the 

 genus Cypripeduivi^ and assumes in other orchids a great variety of 

 fantastic shapes. 



The family is an immense one, spread over all parts of the globe, 

 but is particularly abundant in tropical regions. While a majority are 

 epiphytic, growing upon the bark of trees and shrubs, the orchids of 

 our climate are all terrestrial. Some of the species are such delicate 

 and even insignificant plants that they would scarcely be recognized 

 at the first glance as being related to the showy Cattleyas, Lselias, 

 Oncidiums, etc., of our florists' windows. A very slight examination 

 of the floral structure, however, is sufficient to distinguish an orchid 

 from any other plant. Among our wild species the most beautiful, 

 perhaps, are the Lady's-Slippers, purple and yellow {Cypripedium), 

 the Orange and Purple fringed Orchids {Habenai'ia), and the dainty 

 Calypso of northern bogs, the discovery of which is a delight and its 

 study a revelation. Our native orchids are impatient of cultivation, 

 and even the greenhouse varieties will thrive only under special treat- 

 ment. It would almost seem that the plants appreciate the high po- 

 sition to which their structure entitles them among the great com- 

 munity of plant families. 



THE TWAYBLADE IN CULTIVATION. 



By Joseph Craivford. 



'T^HE photograph of the Large T way blade [Leptorchis liliifolid) is 

 I not only a fine illustration of this beautiful native orchid, but 

 ■ it represents what can be done in the matter of house garden- 

 ing with a very little trouble. The bulbous bases were potted 

 under glass in the latter part of October and with scarcely any atten- 

 tion at all produced this vigorous growth of leaves and flowers in the 

 early part of March following. The plant is specially adapted to house 

 culture because of the ease in transplanting. The large, bulbous 

 bases are mainly on top of the ground and have but few rootlets to be 

 injured by the removal of the plant from the ground. 



Then again it is one of the prettiest of our orchids. It is ren- 

 dered particularly striking by its pair of large light, glossy-green 

 leaves of beautiful oval shape, almost on the ground, and its ample 

 or spreading raceme of dull red and green flowers. It is quite a 

 model of neatness as well as of beautiful simplicity. I have tried a 

 number of native plants with the same methods of culture that I 

 applied to this, but done have given the success that this has. 



