For yoiember, 1923 



279 



their concealed locations. According to authorities, there 

 are now more commercial cattleyas in the United States 

 and Europe than growing in their native environment in 

 Colombia. 



The appearance of the orcliids as collected is rather 

 disappointing to the orchid enthusiast who has been used 

 to orchids in the greenhouse Masses of dried-up black 

 pseudo-bulbs, old flowering spikes, and dead leaves pre- 

 sent anything but a pleasing appearance. The dark green 

 color to which we have become accustomed in orchid 

 houses is replaced by a foliage of yellowish green. 



The following extracts from ]Mr. Pring's diary- give a 

 graphic picture of what it means to obtain orchids under 

 present-day conditions : 



"I left St. Louis. April 1. bearing letters of introduc- 



Cattleya Triana: Groicing Ul>on Trees in the Central Andes. 



tion from the Colombian ambassador at Washington to 

 Government officials in Colombia and from Secretary 

 Wallace to the Minister of Agriculture : also a letter from 

 the Colombian Consul at St. Louis. Sailing from Xew 

 (Orleans on the Steamship 'Heredia," I arrived in Cristobal. 

 C. Z., April 11. I sailed from Cristobal aboard the Steam- 

 ship 'Sixaola." Aboard ship I was particularly for- 

 tunate in meeting Xonnan Black, who was making his 

 wav back from the States to Bogota. During the con- 

 versation I informed him of my mission and likewise men- 

 tioned my letter of introduction to Cyril Allen, who proved 

 to be a personal friend of ^Ir. Black. The entire trip 

 from then on was under the guidance of Mr. Black. \\'e 

 arrived at Cartagena, the first Colombian port, the follow- 

 ing dav. Leaving Cartagena we arrived at the port of 

 debarkation the following day. Puerto Colombia. We 

 left here at 5 :30 and reached Magdalen town. Barran- 

 quilla. at 11 :30 P. 'SI. At the river steamer office we were 

 infonned that all river rates had been raised. However, 

 we booked on the "Ayacucho" to sail that evening. On 

 leaving the hotel Black said: "Pring. I forgot my bed 

 equipment.' On a.«king for an explanation I found that 

 bed equipment for the trip had to be purchased, consisting 

 of a pail of sheets, mosquito bar. pillow and pillow case. 



and native straw mat. or "petate," supposed to take the 

 place of the comfortable mattresses of home. 



■"The ^Magdalena river boat was rather interesting to a 

 St. Louisan in that it was an exact replica of those used 

 on the Mississippi River. In fact we later found that 

 these boats are built in towns along the [Mississippi and 

 shipped to Colombia to be assembled, ^^'e were shown to 

 our cabin de luxe which was on the uppermost deck. The 

 stateroom equipment consisted of an American iron cot. 

 guiltless of mattress and covers, upon wliich we placed the 

 recently acquired bedding; a wash stand, electric lights, 

 and fan. The two doors were screened but the windows 

 were bare. \\'e left at nine o'clock. We found it im- 

 possible to walk upon the upper deck inasmuch as the air 

 was filled with thousands of sparks. I was informed that 

 the boat was of the wood-burning type and in passing 

 l)aclavards and forwards to our cabin we took the chance 

 of our clothes being set afire by falling sparks. 



"T had been advised by .Americans to buy American 

 canned food and an American ham before leaving Barran- 

 quilla. but on suggesting this to Black he told me that I 

 might as well get used to native food, as I would have to 

 eat it for several months : that I would soon become ac- 

 customed to, and learn to like, man}- of the native dishes. 

 When once accustomed to meals as sen-ed on the boat I 

 concluded that he was right, as I verv- soon began to like 

 the various wavs in which the banana was served, either 



Terrestrial Orchids Growing in Andes of Bogota. 



as fritters, pies, or as a dessert cooked with sweet juices. 

 .\mong the vegetables the most common was the jnicca 

 ( Manihot ). This is cultivated as a companion crop with 

 corn. Roots from the fully developed plant are eaten, in 

 shape resembling the turnip and much more farinaceous 

 than the ordinary potato. The meat served would not 

 suit the American palate, inasmuch as the cattle are killed 

 at five o'clock in the morning and ser\ed the same day. 

 It is verv dark in color and always hard and string}\ 

 Eggs are served three times a day and the first question 

 asked bv the waiter is 'Como se huevos. senor?' Coffee 

 is served in the fonn of "Cafe con leche," alxiut a table- 



