46 oechid-groweb's manual. 



it is only from the want of encouragement in tlie matter of 

 prizes, tliat we do not now see these gorgeous displays at our 

 London shows. That such is the case, we have only to turn 

 to the great Whit-week show at Manchester, and then we find 

 a proof of the fact. There the prizes are good, and not onl 

 do the cultivators in the immediate vicinity bring their plants, 

 but some from a considerable distance can be seen staging 

 their productions for competition against the celebrated growers 

 of the " Cotton Metropolis;" indeed, the display made last 

 year I never saw surpassed, if equalled, at any show. This 

 may be readily imagined when I state that a double row of 

 these plants alone extended a distance of over three hundred 

 feet, and amongst them were many of the grandest Ladias, 

 Cattleyas, Vandas, Trichojnlias, OdontoglossumSy and a host 

 of other things it has ever been my lot to behold. Some may 

 say that this only proves the love of gain to be the chief 

 motive power ; but this is a wrong conclusion to draw ; for 

 although gentlemen and gardeners do sometimes exhibit for 

 the honour only, such cannot always be the case. Indeed, 

 the cost of obtaining a proper conveyance, the packing, 

 the transit, and the time occupied at the exhibitions, repre- 

 sents a considerable sum of money, and very few persons can 

 be induced to incur the expenditure if the prize to be com- 

 peted for does not cover the expense — neither is it reasonable 

 of any Society to expect that they should do so. 



ADVICE TO COLLECTORS OF ORCHIDS. 



HERE are many difierent ways of importing Orchids 

 to this country. I have seen some that have arrived 

 in good condition, while others have been completely 

 destroyed by not being properly prepared before starting. The 



