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plants from any nurstrym. n who makes them a specialty. This is 

 advantageous in several ways. Strong plants can te obtained that 

 will not be so likely to disappoint the amateur cultivator. Any 

 varieties or species required can be insured being true to name, and 

 the plants having been properly potted will give little trouble the first 

 year. They can also be purchased at prices to suit all pockets now, 

 and the expenditure of from 5 to 10 will procure a varied little 

 collection to start with, the larger amounts being chiefly required for 

 the varieties or specimens of greater size. In the former case it is 

 preferable to state what is required and the amount intended to be 

 spent, leaving the selection to the nurseryman unless the buyer has a 

 special liking for certain spec'es. When a large collection is being 

 formed for several houses it will have to be decided whether it shall 

 contain as great a number of species and varieties as possible, or 

 whether there shall be a quantity of some of the leading useful 

 Orchids, such as Odontoglossum crispum (0. Alexandra). In all cases 

 it is preferable to form collections gradually, commencing with a 

 small number and increasing them as the cultivator's knowledge 

 advances. 



IMPORTED PLANTS. Some amateurs prefer starting with a 

 number of imported Orchids, and though it is longer before the 

 flowers are obtained, with some probable losses in the meantime, yet 

 there is the chance of obtaining novel varieties amongst others of in- 

 different merit, and this alone induces people to purchase them. 

 Imported Orchids may at times be procured very cheaply, and one 

 amateur states that he never gives more than a shilling each for 

 Odontoglossums and four or five shillings for Cattleyas, Laslias, &c., 

 with others in like proportion. Thi?, however, necessitates a frequent 

 attendance at the sales, with a thorough knowledge of the plants. 

 Importations vary considerably apart from the value of the species or 

 varieties, for the condition in which the plants are received makes a 

 surprising difference in their subsequent progress. Plants with com- 

 pnratively fresh green leaves and stout pseudo-bulbs are worth very 

 much more than those that have lost the greater part of their foliage, 

 have v> ithered exhausted pseudo-bulbs, and perhaps arrived at a time 

 of year when they are likely to suffer from frost. These points have 

 to be considered in purchasing imported Orchids, and there is so much 

 uncertainty about it that it is far better to rely upon established 

 plants for commencing and add to the collection afterwards as 

 desired. 



When, however, imported Orchids are obtained they require some 

 care to get them into condition for potting or basketing. They must 

 first be well washed in tepid water, and then be placed in a shady 

 position in a temperature from 50 to 60, the Odontoglossums of the 

 0. crispum character requiring the coolest place, and the Cattleyas 

 and Dendrobiums the warmest. Those who impoit Orchids in large 



