orchids: now to grow them successfully. o 



their culture, trusting to their gardener's skill, who may possibly 

 never have gl■o^\^^ an Orchid, and consequently know but little 

 about it ; tluis failure upon failure ensues. It would be far better, 

 in eveiy way, when foTining a collection of Orchids, to secure the 

 sei-vices of a suitable person with, at least, a moderate knowledge 

 of the plants, who would be willing to imjjrove that knowledge 

 and seek for all the necessary information respecting their treat- 

 ment. This should be done in the first instance — even if twice 

 the wages of an incompetent man has to be paid in order to 

 accomplish it- for the best kinds of Orchids grow in money value, 

 as well as in size, quite independently of the gix'at pleasure they 

 afford ; whereas, if improperly treated, they wall probably disappear 

 altogether. 80 many instances of miserable misadventure are met 

 with, as the outcome of improper advice, that I have long felt that 

 practical and reliable information at the beginning would lead to 

 uui(;h more satisfactory results, hence the publication of this little 

 Guide Book. 



I puii)os(\ in plain words, giving easily imderstood instructions 

 on important points belonging to everj'-day work which have to 

 be kept well in view. One important point to be considered 

 being — what convenience already exists for growing these plants 

 without building a house expressly for them ; also, if the existing 

 -structure was intended either for a warm temperatm-e or as a cool 

 greenhousf^ ; if in a light open position or a shaded one, and what 

 heat can be relied upon in very cold weather. It will then be 

 necessary to ascertain what Orchids are most suitable and likely to 

 flourish there without giving much trouble, or demanding more 

 attention than other plants which are well gi'own. I will now 

 endeavour to explain the difference in temperature of the Cool, 

 the Intermediate, and the Warm house of a higher temperature, in 

 order that leamors may form an idea as to what class of Orchids 

 are adapted for their houses, and to enable them the better to 

 understand the growth and requireiuents of the plants under 

 their care. 



Formerly it was thought necessaiy, in order to cultivate 

 Orchids, that some special structure should be built for them ; but 

 ycnirs of experience have proved that a disused vineiy, or an 

 (^)rdinary greenhouse where a general collection of plants is grown, 

 will suit Orchids equally well, provided they are properly attended 

 to. Of course, as previously stated, it is necessarj% before making 



