ADVICE TO COLLECTORS OF ORCHIDS. 49 



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

 summer before them to get estabhshed. 



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 

 also to be made very strong, and the case must not be placed 

 during the journey too near heated surfaces or fii-es in the 

 vessel. I have seen many boxes of plants spoiled by being set 

 in such positions, the leaves being completely dried up ; they 

 ought to be placed in a moderately warm situation, but by no 

 means near any fires. Many plants also arrive in this country 

 in a dead or dying state, from the effects of exposure to the 

 full effects of the sun; this, however, may be obviated by 

 simply painting the glass white inside : it must be allowed to 

 become thoroughly dry before fastening down. 



During the past year or two an immense quantity of Orchids 

 have been sent to this country, a large proportion of which 

 proved to be dead upon arrival. There may perhaps be 



