ORCHIDS FOR BEGINNERS 319 



nectary, for the long proboscis of insects to drink the sweet 

 contents. It is also noticeable that the colour is frequently 

 concentrated in this labellum, probably to attract the attention 

 of insects, who are thus drawn to the flower to seek for nectar, 

 and innocently fertilise it by removing pollen, which, when 

 the intruder enters another flower, results in fertilisation ; 

 hence seed is obtained. 



Many of the most beautiful Orchids in cultivation are the 

 result of hybridisation by human agency. The hybridst, as 

 he is called, sees two flowers likely to produce a distinct or 

 beautiful offspring, and fertilises the two to effect his object. 

 But so much has been written upon this subject by Darwin, 

 that it is needless to make further reference to it in a simple 

 work of this kind. 



When Orchids were first exported from their native haunts 

 to the hothouses of Europe they were destroyed in cartloads 

 by improper treatment. This is no exaggeration. Everything 

 that came from over the seas was regarded as exotic, and that 

 meant a stewing temperature at complete variance to the natural 

 conditions surrounding the plant. Of course the unfortunate 

 Orchids died wholesale. To treat an Odontoglossum coming 

 from the snow-line as an exotic is, of course, to exterminate it ; 

 but happily we know more of the world than we did sixty 

 years ago, when Orchid-hunters sent over their possessions to 

 Europe ; and the following notes about the best kinds for the 

 beginner to consider, with cultural hints, will, it is hoped, 

 prove the means of preventing many failures. It is not 

 pleasant to fail, especially when the death of a plant means 

 a financial loss. Beginners with limited means are strongly 

 advised to commence with quite the cheaper kinds, and by 

 cheap we do not mean flowers of little beauty. Many of the 

 most precious Orchids, the lovely Odontoglossum crispum as 

 an example, are ridiculously cheap, costing little more when 

 imported than the scarlet Geranium of a cottage window. 



The House. The house in which to grow the plants must 

 necessarily receive first consideration. This need not signify 

 an expensive outlay. A house in which the temperature can 

 be maintained at from 45 degrees to 50 degrees in cold 

 weather will be found suitable for many of the most useful, 

 beautiful, and interesting species of the Orchid family. One 

 of the chief considerations should be the matter of 



Ventilation, but it is the usual system now in the con- 

 struction of glass-houses to make ample provision so as to 

 ensure ventilation in the side walls almost opposite the hot- 

 water pipes, and also in the roof, so that a free circulation of 



