PREFACE 



THE literature of orchidology is voluminous in 

 these days. But the book written " by an amateur 

 for amateurs " is still needed. I have at least the 

 advantage of knowing what manner of work it 

 should be, for I have suffered from the want of it. 

 The various manuals current are not fitted, though 

 designed, for the class I would address that large 

 number of persons whose gardener, competent in 

 other branches of his profession, must " turn up the 

 volume " for guidance in dealing with orchids, and, 

 often enough, appeals to his master's judgment 

 thereon. How many they are my correspondence 

 proves. Such persons demand plain words from 

 the author, not general expressions; having no 

 capacity to read between the lines, they must needs 

 mark every gap where all is smooth for the trained 

 orchid-grower. From that class I myself have 

 struggled upwards until I, too, consult the expert 

 without observing deficiencies. But I do not forget 

 the time when wicked words arose as I turned 

 from one authority to another, seeking in vain the 



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