4 ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



become healthy and strong. When Orchids are improperly treated, 

 or placed in a temperature that does not suit them, they soon dwindle 

 and assume a sickly appearance ; but if their natural position in the 

 country whence they came is thoroughly studied, and imitated as 

 nearly as possible, then a gradual addition to their yearly growth is 

 made, and successful culture ensured. And this success is sometimes 

 attained in the near vicinity of sinoky towns, arid under further 

 unfavourable circumstances tending against successful plant culture. 



I have known persons, who professed to have a knowledge of 

 Orchids, persistingly assert, despite all contradiction, that these plants 

 bloom but once in several years ; and it is to be regretted that such 

 a wrong idea should prevail, for, under proper management, an 

 established plant will bloom once a year, sometimes twice ; that is, 

 supposing the said plant is already of a flowering size ; and if it be 

 not so, it should not have been bought, as it causes delay and dis- 

 appointment to the purchaser, who is naturally anxious to see it in 

 flower. Amateurs should therefore secure strong flowering-sized plants 

 to start with, even at a little more cost. Some commence forming a 

 collection of Orchids without having any practical knowledge of their 

 culture, trusting to their gardener's skill, who may possibly never have 

 grown an Orchid, arid consequently knows but little about it ; thus 

 failure upon failure ensues. 



It would be far better, in every way, when forming a collection of 

 Orchids, to secure the services of a suitable person with, at least, a 

 moderate knowledge of the plants, who would be willing to improve 

 that knowledge and seek for all the necessary information respecting 

 their treatment. This should be done in the first instance even if 

 twice the wages of an incompetent man has to be paid in order to 

 accomplish it for the best kinds of Orchids grow in money value, as 

 well as in size, quite independently of the great pleasure they afford ; 

 whereas, if improperly treated, they will probably disappear altogether. 

 So many instances of miserable misadventure are met with, as the 

 outcome of improper advice, that I have long felt that practical and 

 reliable information at the beginning would lead to much more satis- 

 factory results, hence the publication of this little Guide Book. 



I purpose, in plain words, giving easily understood instructions on 

 important points belonging to every-day work which have to be kept 

 well in view. One important point to be considered being what 

 convenience already exists for growing these plants without building a 

 house expressly for them ; also, if the existing structure was intended 

 either for a Warm, Intermediate, or as a Cool greenhouse ; if in a light 

 open position or a shaded one, and what heat can be relied upon in 

 very cold weather. It will then be necessary to ascertain what Orchids 

 are most suitable and likely to flourish there without giving much 

 trouble, or demanding more attention than other plants which are well 



