296 



THE GARDENElVa MONTHLY 



[October, 



"VThoro many flowers are desired for bouquots in ' life in South Anieriea and the West Indies, do 

 winter, a ^oodst(M'k of sucli as flower easily sliould not grow in dense forests, hut on trees on the 

 be provided, espeeially of wliite-flowerini,' kinds, edge of forests, or overhanging streams, or 

 without a good sprinkling of which a bouquet has swamps, where they have plenty of air and light ; 

 but a very common-place look. Deutzia gracilis ! and whilst they are subjected to much heat and 

 and D. scabra, Philadelphuses, and Tamarix fire moisture in their growinc season, at times they 

 very good hardy plants to pot for Winter flower- are subjected to great droughts, and the shriveled 

 ing. The Iberis sempcrvirens is also a splendid appearaHce of newly imported bulbs is not 

 white to force for its white flowers. Lopezia caused so much by the length of time they have 

 rosea is nearly indispensable for giving a light, been gathered as to the prolonged drought in 

 airy gracefulness to a bouquet; Camellias and . their own habitats. If any one wishes to prove 

 Azaleas cannot possibly be done without. the correctness of this, let them cut off a sound, 



Bulbs for flowering in pots should be planted '• plump pseudo-bulb from any Cattleyn, Oneid,or 

 at once. Four or flvc-inch pots arc suitable, other bulbous Orchid, weigh it carefully and then 

 One Hyacinth and about three Tulips are suflficient put it away in a close, dry box, but away from 

 for each. After potting, plunge the pots over the greenhouse. I have seen them after three 

 their rims in sand under the green house stage, ^ months as plump as when cut, and they will be 

 letting them remain there until the pots have be- found to have diminished but little in weight, 

 come well filled with roots, before bringing them i And if Orchids are gathered Avhen they are dor- 

 on to the shelves to force. i mant, and not packed too close, there is no tell- 



There are l)ut few tilings in the greenhouse j ing how long they will retain their vitality. I 

 that will require special treatment at this time, i have some Dendrobes now starting into growth, 



Camellias and Azaleas, as they cease to grow, 

 will require less water ; but it is now so well 

 known that moistui-e is favorable to growth, and 

 comparative diyness favorable to flowering, 

 that we need do no more than refer to the fact. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



that I have had nearly a year without showing 

 any sign of vegetation. In purchasing newly im- 

 ported Orchids, it is of pararaoimt importance to 

 see that the eyes at the base of the bulbs have 

 not been rotted out, either by being packed too 

 moist, or at an improper season. -^Erides and 

 such Orchids as have no pseudo-bulbs, having no 

 great supply of elaberate sap, of course cannot 

 be kept so long \vithout moistm*e. 



The increased taste for Orchids in this country, 

 will no doubt induce collectors to send plants 

 here for sale, and our nearness to many of the 



ORCHID CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES 



ET C. n. S., BALTIMORE, MD. 



It is evident that there is an increasing interest 

 in Orchid culture in this countr}^ and I find that 

 any reliable information on their habits is eagerly Orchid producing countries, and increasing steam 

 sought after. Their wonderful manner of growth, navigation, should soon make us independent of 

 added to their beauty, and the delightful odor of Europe, for our supply of South American and 

 many species, have made them subjects of inte- 1 Mexican and Central American varieties, and East 

 rest from their first discovery, but it is only within I India kinds could be brought here via San Fran- 

 the last twenty years that their culture has been i ciso, in less time than to Europe. Quite a number 

 successfully carried out in Europe. Some few ! of importations of Orchids have been sold by 

 persons in this country have also fine collections, i Yoiuig & Elliott, Xew York, and good plants, re- 

 but their popular culture is only a thing of a very reliably named, seem to have brought good prices, 

 few years. Want of information, the high price i In the main they have been in good condition, and 

 of the microscopic plants usually sent from j I do not think that I have lost five per cent., and 

 Eiu:ope,andwantof patience in the growers, have I these may have been lost by my ignorance in 

 tended to make them, if not luipopular, at least bandlins: them. As no doubt more will be im- 



not much sought after. The opinion that a damp, 

 hot and shady place was essential to their culti- 

 vation, has been found to be erroneous. In fact 

 no Orcliid would present a healthy appearance 

 if subjected to such treatment for a long time. 

 Orchids, as far as m}- personal experience goes, 

 and I have spent a considerable part of my early 



ported, it is desii-able for those who are not con- 

 versant with handling them, to know how it 

 should be done. Suppose for instance in the 

 Spring, which is the best time to import Orchids, 

 you have a lot of Cattleyas, Oncids, Odontoglos- 

 sum, &c. Take your Orchids, cut otf all rotten 

 bulbs and leaves, and then wash them carefully, 



