HEKBS, TUBERS AND BULBS. 



331 



introduced by Mr. Matthews of England, and its construction is clearly 

 shown in figure 113. A circular earthenware disc is made to replace the 

 mass of broken crocks usually placed below the other materials for 

 drainage, thereby securing aeration and avoiding all danger of over- 

 watering. Tribes four and five are terrestrial Orchids, and grown in 

 light soils as recommended for the common Lady's Slipper. Few of the 

 Orchids are of any economic value ; the Vanillas, however, are an excep- 

 tion, the fruit yielding a valuable balsamic oil with well known deli- 

 cious perfume. The propagation of the Orchids, as a family, is a rather 

 slow process, and while species of the epiphytal tribes may be success- 

 fully divided when at rest, yet cultivators depend mainly upon fresh 



Fig. 113. ORCHID POT. 



collections from the native habitats of the different species for increas- 

 ing their stock of plants. New varieties and hybrids are raised from 

 seed, but it requires skill, patience, and structures especially adapted to 

 the needs of these plants, to enable one to succeed in such operations. 



Papaveracece (Poppy Family). A small order of about seventeen 

 genera, mostly herbs with milky or colored juice. The only shrub 

 belonging to this family is Dendromccon rigidu-n of California. There 

 are several genera containing some showy annuals that have long been 

 familiar in gardens, like Eschscholtzia, Argcmone, and the Opium Poppy 

 (P. somnifcrum). But the perennial Poppies (P. orientalis) are not so 

 well known, but they are well worthy of cultivation. They are easily 

 raised from seed, but rather difficult to transplant, owing to their very 

 long and deeply penetrating roots. The seeds should be sown as soon 

 as ripe, and where the plants may be left undisturbed. 



