b ORCHID-GEOTS-ER S MANUAL. 



mation he imparts to us, but for the extremely kind and 

 courteous manner in which he gives the desired information 

 to an}' and all who seek it at his hands. 



We predicted many years ago that Orchids would be grown 

 for the million. The original portions of this volume were, in 

 fact, brought out in the Gardeners' Chronicle, m a series of 

 papers entitled " Orchids for the Million." It was perhaps 

 presumption on our part to predict what in those days seemed 

 to some people to be utterly impossible. We were often told 

 so after these papers had been published in the Gardeners^ 

 Chronicle, but we were well rewarded by receiving the appro- 

 bation of Dr. Lindley, who was the greatest authority on 

 Orchids at that time. When we told Dr. Lindley of our 

 intention to bring out the Okchid-Grower's Manual, he 

 advised us not to do so, feeling sure, he said, it would never 

 pay, but our intention was fixed, for it gave us unbounded 

 pleasure to write of our favourites, of which we were then 

 as fond as we are now. Indeed, it is to us a source of 

 great satisfaction to do all we can to bring Orchids before the 

 public, and we are glad to find that our efforts are appre- 

 ciated, and that there is an increasing taste for these lovely 

 and varied plants. All plants require attention, some of 

 course more than others, but these can be as easily cultivated 

 as any ; and as some Orchids can now be bought for a fev,- 

 shillings each, they come within the reach of every one who 

 has a small house, and in such a structure a few of them 

 can be grown with very little trouble and expense. 



If Orchid collectors will take our advice, founded on manj- 

 years' experience, and import the plants at a proper time of 

 year, we should have a good supply, and to spare, and be 

 able to leave some for stock in their native country, instead 

 of sacrificing the whole produce of a district, where doubtless 

 plants, and among them new species and varieties, would turn 



