370 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Bolivia, generally on very high altitudes, some species being found pretty 

 near to the snow line. The Oncidium is another South American genus, 

 scattered all over Central and South America. The majority of the Cyp- 

 ripediums are found through the East Indian islands and, also, on the 

 mainland, while they are also represented by about a dozen kinds through 

 Central America. The Dendrobiums are confined strictly to the eastern 

 hemisphere, as are also Vandas, ^Erides, Saccolabiums, Phalaenopsis, 

 Coelogyne and others; while Lycaste, Schomburgkias, Epidendrums and 

 such kinds, have their homes in South and Central America. 



Besides this wealth of beautiful kinds there are a number of hybrids 

 which have been raised artificially in the garden, and which rank amongst 

 the finest orchids known in cultivation. The number of these may be 

 safely estimated in round numbers at 1,000, half of which are Cypripe- 

 diums. 



The prices of orchids vary considerably, according to the rarity and 

 size of specimens, more than beauty; but the leading varieties and good 

 fiowering-size plants can be purchased at from $1.00 to $5.00 each, which is 

 as low a price as any palm or other good plant can be purchased for. In 

 former years, the supply of orchids came mostly from Europe, but of 

 late years, several American nurserymen have taken up orchids as a 

 specialty, and thus supply the home demand at much more reasonable 

 prices than were paid before, as it stands to reason, being nearer to South 

 America, the main home of the orchids, they can be imported into the 

 United States quicker, and established under our superior climate. 



The collecting of orchids in their native homes is one of the most fasci- 

 nating, yet hardest and most dangerous, branches of horticulture anybody 

 can engage in. Thus, the stock of orchids is provided by special collectors, 

 which the firms dealing in such plants send out, who traverse unexplored 

 mountains for months, enduring many hardships, as well. The orchid in 

 its native habitat does not cost anything excepting the labor of collecting 

 them, sometimes, from trees 40 to 60 feet high, and, again, from almost 

 inaccessible cliffs; then comes the drying and preparing them for exporting; 

 making the boxes, wMch have to be made at times from boards sawed by 

 hand from trees:and the carrying them hundreds of miles on mens' or mules' 

 backs up and down the ridges of mountains, until, finally, they reach the 

 coast. The risk in importing orchids is very great, and it can be safely 

 estimated that for every orchid that is to-day flourishing in the green- 

 houses in collections in America and Europe there iiave been at least 

 thousands pulled from their native haunts. The orchid is as popular to- 

 day as the rose, carnation or lily. The culture is more simple than any 

 of the above-named plants, and every one is conceding that the orchid is 

 the flower of the future on accountof its lasting qualities. ]n che majority 

 of varieties, the flowers will remain perfectly fresh on the plant from four 

 to twelve weeks, while in the cut state, they will last two or three weeks. 



In former years, an impression prevailed that orchids could be indulged 

 in only by millionaires by reason of their supposed great cost, while, in 

 reality, they are just as cheap as any other plant. Another fallacy was that 

 orchids were very difficult to succeed with in growing, whereas, in experi- 

 ence, they are more easily grown than roses and other plants. Indeed, 

 they may be considered the easiest of all plants to cultivate, and will 

 thrive in any ordinary greenhouse in company with palms, ferns and 

 foliage plants. They are easily grown if a few cardinal points are 



