516 ORCHIDS. 
often trying enough to dishearten anyone not possessed 
of a good stock of perseverence. The plants are, as a 
rule, very impatient of removal, and generally too little 
care is taken by collectors to preserve the fleshy roots 
and tubers intact and unbruised. To attempt to establish 
roughly-treated plants of most of these Orchids is labour 
in vain. This fact accounts for the belief that they are 
hopeless as garden plants. On the other hand, we could 
name a few growers who have met with much success 
in their cultivation. Chief amongst these is the 
Comte de Paris, who, when at Twickenham, grew many 
hardy kinds perfectly. Mr. Webster, Mr. Thomas Ware, 
and Mr. Elwes also have been successful with them. 
When well grown there is no more delightful picture 
than tufts or large groups of such plants as Cypripedium 
spectabile, Orchis foliosa, and its two allies QO. latifolia 
and QO. maculata. Then there are the Ophrys, almost 
every one of which is possessed of some charm in the 
form and markings of its flowers. 
There are three methods which have proved successful 
in the cultivation of hardy Orchids: these are the bed 
or rockery method, the frame method, and that of pot 
culture. 
Bed or Rockery Treatment.—A bed for these plants 
should be so situated as to be shaded from the sun, 
except in the morning or evening. The shade of shrubs 
or trees, or, failing these, that of a wall with a south-east 
or south-west aspect, will answer. The soil should be 
taken out to a depth of about 2ft., and replaced by 6in. 
of good drainage, brick-rubble being the best material for 
this purpose. Over this a layer of tough turfs should 
be placed. The soil must necessarily vary with the needs 
of the plants for which it is intended. If a representative 
collection is to be planted in the bed, then a portion of 
ee 
