454 OUTDOOR CULTIVATION OF BRITISH ORCHIDS. [Nov. 



that these plants may, with a little care and trouble, be as success- 

 fully grown out of doors, as the epiphytal members are in our 

 hothouses. It is curious, however, that in some gardens certain 

 species thrive luxuriantly, which in others cannot be coaxed into a 

 short-lived existence. Did space and time permit me, I could 

 enumerate gardens in which, taken collectively, all our native species, 

 with perhaps three exceptions, are grown in the most successful 

 manner. The Hcllcborines are especially difficult to manage, yet I 

 know of one garden in which, for years, Ejpipactis latifolia, E. 

 ovalis, E. imlustris, and some of the Cqjlialantheras have flowered 

 well, while in another the rare and beautiful Cqjhalanthcra 

 ensifolia has become quite established and runs wild in a 

 rockery wdiere it is almost stifled with the oak fern. The man 

 orchis (Accras cinthro2'>opliora), a plant that is by no means easily 

 managed, is quite at home in a Cheshire garden. No doubt soil 

 and situation require careful consideration in the cultivation of 

 British orchids ; but an equally, if not indeed more important 

 factor is the obtaining of sound, well-rooted specimens with which 

 to start, when, in my opinion, half the battle may be considered won. 

 Subjoined is a list of British orchids arranged in sections accord- 

 ing to their requirements of soil and situation, whereby at a glance 

 any one who wishes to attempt their cultivation will see the con- 

 ditions under which they are found naturally. Of course, it must 

 not be inferred from the following list that several orchids will 

 only thrive under the conditions there specified, for some species, 

 notably Orchis mascula, 0. maculata, and Hahenaria hifolia are by no 

 means fastidious about soil being found in all descriptions, from the 

 finest loam to the stiffest clay ; but tliat the following are the best 

 conditions when brought under cultivation, has been proved on 

 several occasions by those who have devoted considerable attention 

 to this interesting class of plants. In conclusion, we feel justified 

 in saying that the floral beauty of many of our orchids far more 

 than compensates for any little trouble incurred in their cultiva- 

 tion, and, speaking from our own experience, we have every reason 

 to believe that any person giving these a fair trial will not be 

 disappointed with the results. 



Section 1. 



Those which thrive in loam and limestone or chalk with or 

 without shade : — 



Accras anthropophora. 

 Cephalanthcra ensifolia, 

 grandiflora. 



CepTialanthera rubra. 

 Cxj'pri'pediuiix Ca Iccolus. 

 E2ni')actis ovalis. 



