ADVICE TO COLLECTORS. 9 



when they are at rest. While inactive their leaves contain 

 little sap ; but if sent away when they are growing, the 

 foliage is tender and in danger of being bruised, a circum- 

 stance which accelerates decay on their journey ; another 

 fact in favour of dormant importation is that, if sent in a 

 growing state or just as they are starting into growth, the 

 young shoots come weak and dwindling, and very often die 

 outright as soon as exposed to light. I have seen many a 

 fine mass of Cattleyas with all their leading growths com- 

 pletely rotten, of course lessening the plants in value com- 

 pared with such as arrive perfect and are just ready to start 

 into growth as soon as they get into a warm house. Plants 

 with pushing pseudo-bulbs are also apt to lose their leading 

 eyes, an accident fatal to some Orchids, for many do not 

 break well from old bulbs. Aerides, Saccolabiums, Vandas, 

 Angrcecums, and similar plants that have no fleshy bulbs to 

 support are best imported after they have become esta- 

 blished on flat pieces of wood, so that they can be nailed to 

 the sides of their travelling cases. I received some from 

 Manilla last spring, including Phalcenopsis Schilleriana, 

 P. rosea, P. amabilis, P. Lobbi, Aerides quinquevulnerum, 

 and Vanda violacea, all established and sent off in the way 

 just described ; these had evidently been growing some time 

 before starting for this country, for their roots firmly adhered 

 to the wood and many of their leaves were as green as 

 though they had been in an Orchid House instead of a 

 glass-topped case. One point of importance is to take care to 

 well secure the plants to the sides of the cases ; because, if 

 allowed to roll about, they get bruised and soon rot, which 

 is very vexing after all the trouble and expense bestowed in 

 importing them. In the case of Phalcenopsis tSchilleriana, 

 received last spring, some of the pieces of wood had become 

 loose, rolling about during the journey and causing injuries ; 

 if, therefore, you find a leaf bruised, the best way is to cut it 

 off at once before decay begins ; for if allowed to go on, there 



