768 



HORTICULTURE 



May 21, 1910 



plants are alike, variations even greater than shown in 

 either of the two parents is present in the progeny. 



In the lot of over seventy Cattleya x Tha3'eriana no 

 two are alike, and the variation is such that is hard 

 even for the raiser to helieve they are of one common 

 origin, and the parents — C. Schroderae and C. inter- 

 media — are among the least variable, but they do vary. 

 TIGOE 



Orchids die slowly; they are long suffering, but the 

 end is sure. This was the accepted fact twenty years 

 ago in considering cattleyas. Now with rational 

 methods of culture of introduced plants and the addi- 

 tion of seedlings, one may be sure of keeping his plants. 

 Not all the latter live to flower; millions die annually 

 before being visible, or barely so. There is vigor enough 

 to enable the seed to germinate, but their environment 

 is unsuitable and some die before we see theni, others in 

 later stages, but those that survive are eminently fitted 

 and should never die. This is true of primary crosses. 

 It is probable that those of more complex origin may 

 not have this amount of vitality. We read recently of 

 two trees proved to be of hybrid origin; one, the 

 Italian Poplar, the most vigorous known, and the Eng- 

 lish "Cricket Bat" willow, well known for its value as 

 a timber tree. Both were a puzzle for years. 



It is hoped that vigor may be a first requisite in 

 future experiments, thougli a plant if it be weak will 

 produce a portion of good seeds, and the weakness, if 

 temporary and not constitutional, will not be handed 

 down. 



The great exhibitions of today are filled with the 

 work of the cross-breeder, and it is not too much to 

 say that already they are producing as fine orchids a> 

 any existing in cultivation. Nature did not finish her 

 productions, she only began; gave us the raw material 

 as it were, and man was endowed with the intellect to 

 carry it on, and he has but begun to realize the possi- 

 bilities. 



The only ones to be pitied are those who try to ar- 

 range the names in a reasonable way. It was a gigantic 

 task the compilers of the '"Stud Book" undertook ! 

 What will it be in the future when are produced plants 

 having possilily four genera in their pedigree ? Wlio 

 shall coin a euphonious name? 



VISITORS TO BOSTON NEXT WEEK 



are cordially invited to call at the 



OFFICE OF HORTICULTURE 



and register. 



Facilities for writing, telephoning, etc., will be freely 

 extended, and those who so desire may have their mail 

 addressed in our care. The olfice, 11 Hamilton Place, 

 is centrally situated in the business section, almost 

 directly opposite the Park street subway entrance, from 

 which cars are conveniently taken for Horticultural 

 Hali, whore the Orchid Show will bo hold. 



THE EXHIBITION 



will open at 



8 P. M. THURSDAY, MAY 26. 



and will continue till the night of May 30. The open- 

 ing evening will be in the nature of an evening dress 

 reception. 



Causes of Disappointment in 

 Orchid Growing 



Carnations, orchids and roses are doubtless the aris- 

 tocracy of the floral world, and without doubt, too, one 

 is as easily grown as the other — "Yes, yes," I hear some- 

 one say. "I have a fair amount of success with my roses 

 and carnations, but am afraid to venture with orchids, 

 having seen such dire results ; and then, the expense !" 

 Now, my de,ar sir, or madam, with less than ordinary 

 expense and a little thought yoii may cast your fears 

 to the wind. 



T will first indicate the cause of failure. The would- 

 be orchid gi'ower puts his plant in a conspicuous place 

 till it goes out of flower, when it is placed in the back- 

 ground, given a good watering and left to take its 

 chances — the good watering at that particular time be- 

 ing, perhaps, the first nail in its coffin — as what is then 

 wanted is a rest; but although treated ever so badly it 

 won't die, but tries to make a fresh growth, but doing 

 it so weakly that it fails to flower the next season. It 

 then goes from bad to worse and gets called bad names. 



Again a dozen or juore plants are bought and as you 

 are "going in for orchids" you run up the heat to 10 or 

 18 degrees above the needful, and not only weaken the 

 plants but increase the number of insects which revel 

 in a hot dry heat, and so disaster is assured to the 

 plants, vexation and loss to the owner. I went into a 

 cypripedium house once where the plants were red with 

 the ravages of thrips, the place being like a lime kiln, 

 and the temperature 80 to 90 degrees. The gardener ( ?) 

 explained to me that the ]ilants were suffering from 

 condensed moisture^ — condensed nonsense, I called it. 

 On another occasion the gardener was damping down 

 at 5. .55 p. m. on a cold, wot March afternoon. "What 

 are you damjjing down for now?" said I. "Oh," he re- 

 plied, "I have not had time before," and it would have 

 been far better for the phmts if he had not had time 

 then. Now, it is such men who do their stoking, water- 

 ing and daiujiing down without any thought of what 

 the plants require, that are a curse to the fraternity. 



Want of fresh air is. too, a frequent cause of failure. 

 People forget that orchids in their native habitats grow 

 out of doors, and, althougli in the tropics, often at such 

 an altitude that though hot in the day time, the nights 

 are very cool. 



"A¥ell, then," I am asked, "what is the best way to 

 begin?" Suppose you have a house or houses of vaiy- 

 ing temperatures partly filled with other stock, but 

 wishing to add orchids. By a judicious selection you 

 should be able to introduce plants that would do well 

 either in a cool house, a fernei'y or a stove. The mis- 

 take so often made is to place in one house each and 

 every orchid that lakes your fancy. As well might you 

 try to keep canaries and gold fish in one cage. If the 

 house you have is only suitable for cool orchids, just 

 buy cool orchids, than which none are more beautiful, 

 and will only need a. minimum temperature on winter 

 nights of 45 degrees. I^ast week I saw in the nurseries 



