HINTS ON COLLECTING ORCHIDS. 15 



very often dying outright as soon as exposed. We have seen 

 many a fine mass of Cattleya imported with all the leading 

 growths completely rotten, which, of course, greatly lessens 

 the value of the plant as compared with those that arrive 

 perfect, and which are just ready to start into growth as soon 

 as they are put into a warm house. Plants which on arrival 

 have pushing pseudobulbs are also apt to lose their leading 

 eyes, an accident fatal to some Orchids, for many do not 

 break well, if at all, from old bulbs. 



The species oi Ac rides, Saccolabiwit, Vanda, Auf/racuiii, and 

 similar plants that have no fleshy bulbs to support, are best 

 imported after they have become established on flat pieces of 

 wood, so that they can be nailed to the sides of their travelling 

 cases. We once received a consignment of Orchids from Manilla, 

 including amongst other fine plants some beautiful examples of 

 Phalanopsis Schilleriana, P. rosea, P. amahilis,P. intermedia, 

 Aerides quinqihevidneruin, andSaccolahiumviolaceum, all estab- 

 lished and sent ofi'in the way just described ; they had evidently 

 been growing some time before they were started for this 

 country, for on arrival their roots adhered firmly to the wood, 

 and many of their leaves were as green as though they had 

 been in an Orchid house, instead of having made such a long 

 sea-voyage in a glass-topped case. 



One point of importance is to take care to secure the plants 

 well to the sides of the cases ; because, if allowed to roll or 

 swing about, they get bruised and soon rot, which is very 

 vexing after all the trouble and expense bestowed on importing 

 them. In the case of the Phalcenopsis Schilleriana just 

 referred to, some of the pieces of wood had become loose, and 

 these from rolling about during the journey had caused injuries. 

 In such cases, if any leaves are bruised during the journey, the 

 best way is to cut them off at once before decay begins ; for if 

 allowed to go on, there will be danger of the whole plant being 



