ADVICE TO COLLECTORS OF ORCHIDS. 47 



first and most important tiring is to prepare them for their 

 jom'ney. The next most important matter, perhaps the most 

 important, is to start them on their journey at the proper 

 time. My opinion is, that the plants should be sent away 

 from their native country dm'ing the dry season, which is 

 when they are at rest. While inactive their leaves and pseudo- 

 bulbs are thoroughly ripened and firm, and contain but little 

 sap ; whereas when they are growing, the foliage is necessarily 

 tender, and in danger of being bruised, a circumstance which 

 accelerates decay dming the voyage. Another reason in favour 

 of dormant importation is, that, if sent in a gTowing state, or 

 just as they are starting into growth, the young shoots push 

 out on the journey, and for want of light and air come weak 

 and dwindling, very often dying outright as soon as exposed. 

 I have seen many a fine mass of Cattleya with all the leading 

 growths completely rotten, which, of coui'se, gi'eatly lessens 

 the value of the plants as compared with those which arrive 

 perfect, and are just ready to start into growth as soon as they 

 get into a warm house. Plants which on arrival have pushing 

 pseudobulbs are also apt to lose their leading eyes, an acci- 

 dent fatal to some Orchids, for many do not break well, if at 

 all, from old bulbs. 



The species of Aerides, Saccolabiitm,, Vanda, AngrcECum, and 

 similar plants that have no fleshy bulbs to support, are best 

 imported after they have become established on flat pieces 

 of wood, so that they can be nailed to the sides of their 

 travelling cases. I once received a consignment of Orchids 

 from Manilla, including amongst other fine plants some beau- 

 tiful examples of Phalanopsis Schilleriana, P. rosea, P. cmia- 

 hilis, P. intermedia, Aerides quin^uevulnerum, and Vanda vio- 

 lacea, all established and sent off in the way just described ; 

 they had evidently been growing some time before starting for 

 this country, for on arrival their roots adhered firmly to the 



