The Culture of Greenhouse Orchids 



dipping, or spraying. Tobacco is hazardous among 

 Odontoglots and Miltonias ; so much depends upon 

 the quality used, besides the question of strength. 

 Experiments may cost one very dear. Some growers 

 burn Macfarlane's " sheets " in the cool house 

 without the least anxiety. I have never found the 

 courage to do that, remembering too bitterly how 

 I lost every Odontoglot I possessed by smoking 

 once on a time it was not Macfarlane's prepara- 

 tion, certainly. I have used his sheets for years 

 in the warm houses, and it is true that they do not 

 affect the Miltonias or Odontoglots there. But it 

 is always best to leave well alone. 



Incidentally, however, it is worth while to 

 observe that the smoke of pure tobacco is as 

 harmless for Miltonias and Odontoglots as for any 

 other orchid. Public gardens, such as Kew, are 

 privileged to receive smuggled or confiscated 

 tobacco, and they burn it with impunity every- 

 where. It is not to be hoped, of course, that 

 private individuals will ever enjoy this favour; 

 nor is it to be wished seriously, for if the revenue 

 from tobacco fell off, taxes far more burdensome 

 must be imposed. But it would certainly be easy 

 to mix some chemical with the stuff which would 

 make it effective for this legitimate object, in small 

 quantities, whilst spoiling it for the pipe. Such 



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