The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



up promptly in the heat when they are at rest ; 

 but if we give them manure, it remains for an 

 indefinite time in the potting material. Thus 

 abnormal growths may be produced which suddenly 

 collapse, for we see just the same result in the 

 case of pelargoniums and such flowers grown for 

 the London market. They are " fed " to the utter- 

 most, and despatched in haste at the moment of 

 perfection. When that is past they dwindle away. 

 Many readers, doubtless, have bought a lovely plant 

 in Covent Garden, of some variety which they 

 desired and expected to propagate; but its life 

 seemed to fade with its bloom, and, what is even 

 more distressing, cuttings from it would not root. 



Upon the other hand, Belgian growers, taking 

 them all round, are more successful than most 

 of us in raising fine plants, though the flower- 

 spike, be it noted, is not proportionately big. 

 English collections might easily be named which 

 equal their best in growth, and excel them in 

 bloom; but, on the average, I think they are 

 superior. Something may be allowed for the new 

 system of culture to which I have alluded, some- 

 thing to climate. But the quality of the water 

 must not be overlooked. Nursery gardens always 

 lie within reach of a canal, from which they pump 

 the water into tanks. I know nothing of the 



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