INTRODUCTION. 



THE present volume has been in preparation many 

 years. As long ago as 1868, some of its chapters, 

 in somewhat different form, however, appeared in the 

 pages of the "American Journal of Horticulture." 

 Since then, the times have not been propitious for 

 the issue of a volume on a specialty, but at the 

 present time, the increasing interest in Orchid cul- 

 ture seems to warrant the publication. 



The want has long been felt of a trustworthy 

 manual of culture adapted to the United States. 

 English publications on this subject are not to be 

 relied on, as the climate is so different from our own 

 that the rules they give are not applicable to us ; they 

 make no provision for the brightness of our sun, the 

 heat of our summer, the dry ness of our atmosphere, 

 and the cold of our winter. 



To supply this want, is the object of this volume. 

 It has been the intention to give every department of 

 culture due consideration, and while every informa- 

 tion necessary to the beginner is given, the writer 

 trusts the volume may not be without value to the 

 experienced culturist. Although the work is mostly 



