2 ORCHIDS: HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



Nineteen years' practical experience in Orchid growing has shown 

 me that, when once their nature is thoroughly understood, much less 

 attention than is generally thought necessary is requisite to grow them 

 successfully, their requirements being so simple as to encroach less 

 than what is thought upon the grower's time. It is quite true that 

 some species still baffle the most experienced cultivators, owing, no 

 doubt, to an imperfect knowledge of the climatic and natural con- 

 ditions they enjoy in their native habitat; but, as these varieties are 

 somewhat difficult to grow, I shall not recommend them to the 

 amateur's consideration until he has gained more experience ; for, as 

 a rule, such sorts are less beautiful than others of easy growth, and 

 can therefore be dispensed with. When the necessary culture of a 

 genus or species becomes generally known, the ease and simplicity of its 

 cultivation are speedily made manifest to the inexperienced amateur, 

 thus leading to its more extended culture and that better appreciation 

 which it so richly deserves. I am anxious, both for the sake of our 

 Orchids, as well as for the benefit of those who may wish to attempt 

 their cultivation, to point out that there is absolutely no difficulty 

 but what may easily be overcome, as soon as an ordinary knowledge 

 of their requirements has been acquired. And, in order to assist 

 amateurs, I shall do my best to give them si&h practical information 

 as will materially aid them, provided the instructions I now write for 

 their guidance are carefully perused and strictly followed. 



Why are Orchids generally supposed to be an expensive luxury 

 and out of the reach of all save the most wealthy ? I think these 

 notions have arisen from the fact that when Orchids are written about 

 in newspapers and periodicals, they are invariably associated with the 

 name of some well-known and wealthy individual as their possessor, 

 which leads many persons to regard them as the exclusive property 

 of a privileged few, and consequently invests them with such a degree 

 of costliness as to make them entirely inaccessible to the humbler 

 amateur. There are, I am pleased to be able to say, in answer to this, 

 many collections of Orchids now in existence throughout the country, 

 some of them very extensive, and containing rare and expensive sorts, 

 owned by gentlemen with only a local reputation as business or public 

 men ; while a large number of amateurs, possessing only a greenhouse 

 or two, are forming collections of a less pretentious character, com- 

 mencing under good advice with easily cultivated sorts. This is most 

 gratifying to Orchidists, and I venture to hope that this little guide 

 book will induce many others to take up Orchids, as I feel confident 

 that the great beauty of their flowers, as well as their lasting qualities, 

 will amply repay any anxiety or trouble bestowed upon them. 



Referring for a moment to a somewhat general impression that 

 Orchids are difficult to manage, I must confess that there are some 

 which are not easy to cultivate, or rather to maintain in a healthy 



