ORCHIDS, ETC. 47 



Marshall P. Wilder referred to the record in the " New England 

 Farmer" (Vol. 15, p. 406) of the exhibition by hira on the 24th of 

 June, 1837, of a specimen of OncicUum Jlexuosum, which had been 

 in bloom more than four weeks, with a stalk twenty-seven inches 

 in length, and at one time ninety-seven fully expanded blossoms, 

 as corroborating the statements made in previous discussions as 

 to the early cultivation of orchids in this vicinity. 



Charles M. Hovej^ referred to the remarks of Mr. Rand and 

 himself on Bletias and Dendrohiums a few weeks since, and said 

 that orchids were early cultivated by Messrs. Lowell, Boott, Wilder 

 and Gushing. Notwithstanding our zeal in horticulture, we had 

 failed to bring up the taste for the cultivation of rare orchids to 

 that of the city of Albany, our citizens being satisfied with smilax, 

 tea roses, and carnations. Though Mr. Such may get two or 

 three dollars a spike for Coelogyne cristata, they would remain un- 

 sold here at that price ; but eventually a taste for such flowers 

 may be formed. The Coelogyne appears to be easily cultivated. 



President Strong doubted whether Mr. Hovey was quite correct 

 in his strictures on the taste for flowers in Boston, and if he were, 

 perhaps the reason is that we have supplied the market only with 

 rosebuds, etc. Though the orchids may not bring two or three 

 dollars a spike, he thought they would command remunerative 

 prices. He believed these discussions would tend to create a taste 

 for better things, and we should hope for and expect them. 



Mr. Hovey spoke of a flower of Phaius Wallichiana, exhibited 

 by Mr. Rand. The plant is a more delicate grower than P. grancli- 

 folius and more difficult of cultivation, requiring more heat. 



Mr. Rand said the P. Wallichiana was a very free grower, 

 making a tall, reedy plant, and a very free bloomer, — not as free 

 as the other species, but every pseudobulb may be expected to 

 produce a flower spike. 



Mr. Wilder called upon the Rev. A. B. Muzzey as having taken 

 an early interest in the society, and being imbued with a love of 

 nature. 



Mr. Muzzey said that he was but a young cultivator, and he 

 supposed these discussions were not intended for such. He spoke 

 of the distinction between wild and, cultivated flowers as artificial. 

 He ^as one of the earliest members of the society, and after 

 being out of the State for several years, he had renewed his con- 



