ADVICE TO COLLECTORS OF ORCHIDS. 49 



have also received plants in good condition from India in close 

 boxes, packed in dry soft shavings, while on the other hand 

 many are entirely spoiled in that way. The cause of failure I 

 attribute to their not being packed in a proper state ; the 

 plants themselves, as well as the material employed, should be 

 well dried before packing, and care should be taken to avoid 

 bruises, which often prove fatal. Cattleyas and plants with 

 similar pseudobulbs I have received in close boxes from 

 Brazil, packed in dry shavings, and have found them, when 

 opened, in good condition ; but care had evidently been taken 

 to pack them firmly in the boxes, so that they did not shake 

 about on their journey. 



The best time of year for receiving Orchids in this country 

 is, if possible, the spring, in order that they may have the 

 summer before them to get established. 



With AncBctochili the best way is to tie some moss round 

 their roots and stems to keep them firm, leaving the foliage 

 just above the moss, and they should occupy a small case by 

 themselves. These little things are very tender, and therefore 

 require a great deal of care to import them alive. On arrival, 

 pot them in some dry soil (see An^ctochili), and put them in 

 a close place with little heat at first, until they begin to grow ; 

 afterwards pot them separately in small pots, and place them 

 under hand-glasses or in a frame, giving them the treatment 

 usually recommended for this class of plants. 



Cases in which Orchids are sent home ought to be made 

 strong, and roofed with good stout glass not easily broken ; 

 for I have often seen plants spoiled by the glass being 

 fractured. Through an accident of this kind, salt water and 

 cold air get in, both of which are very injurious. All cases 

 should be air and water-tight ; and to prevent the glass being 

 broken, the best thing to place over it is some strong iron 

 wire, or stout and broad wooden bars ; the sash bars ought 



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