ORCHIDS: 



How to ^roAv tliem successfully. 



HE wiiter of this little manual having, for many years, 

 devoted his attention to the study of Orchids and their 

 cultivation, is desirous of imparting to others, whose 

 opportunities may have been less favourable, the results of a pretty 

 wide and varied experience, and, in so doing, it will be his aim to 

 dispel some erroneous impressions in regard to the subject which, 

 if unrc'futed, are calculated to diminish the popularity of a most 

 lovely and interesting family of plants, as well as to deter many 

 aiuateurs from attempting tlieii- cidtivation, a circumstance to be 

 much regi-etted, for a' delightful recreation is unquestionably lost 

 by those who love their gardens, and attend with pleasure to their 

 greenhouse plants, if the aristocratic Orchid is not included in 

 their collection ; its beauty, if equalled, being but rarely siupassed 

 by that of any other plant, so that, once the gi'ower's interest is 

 thoroughly awakened, he becomes so enamoured of his new hobby 

 as to prefer it to all others, however interesting. 



It is very important that it should be well understood how 

 successfully Orchids may be grown, side by side, with other stove 

 and gi-eenhouse plants, such as I shall hereafter enumerate ; and it 

 is therefore quite unnecessaiy that the grower should devote his 

 attention to the former alone, there being many gi-eenhouse 

 favourites, at once beautiful in flower and foHage, which he might 

 easily select as fitting associates, and which, under similar treatment, 

 woidd thrive equally well. Ferns, for instance, are particularly 

 adapted for growing in the same house. Orchids cannot fail 



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