1906 | THE CULTIVATION OF OUR NATIVE ORCHIDS. 231 
The orchids found in the vicinity of Hamilton are Cypripedium 
pubescens, in quantities when you find its hiding-place ; Cypr- 
pedium parvifiorum, at Lake Medad and its neighborhood, some- 
times pale yellow, sometimes rich canary, according to location 
and the richness of the soil, but it is not plentiful ; Cypripedium 
acaule, said to be found near Grimsby, but I have never met it 
yet in nature ; Cypripedium spectabile, in a ravine back of Lake 
Medad and very plentiful there ; several varieties of Habenaria. 
I found Goodyera, or rattle-snake orchid, at the Marsh, or 
‘*Cattle’s Paradise’’ na ravine where the broad beech fern was 
plentiful, This is the only place I know where you can find it 
here. Orchis spectabtlis | had in bloom in my garden last year, a 
pretty waxy white and lavender, found in a ravine near Desjar- 
din’s canal (but not very healthy or luxuriant plants), about ten 
feet above a little brook. I have found it since back of Lake 
Medad, and hope to have it fine next year. 
In closing, I would say that those found in boggy places, like 
Cypripedium spectabile, Calopogon pulchellus, Habenaria blephart- 
glottis, Habenaria ciliaris, Liparts lilitfolia, Pogonta ophioglossoides 
place ina false bog as I have described and they will grow with 
success, and water them twice a day while the sun is not on them 
with a good soaking each time. 
For Cypripedium pubescens, Cypripedium parviflorum, Orchis 
spectabilis, Goodyera, and Spiranthes, put a subsoil of red or blue 
clay to retain the moisture and a top dressing of leaf mould three 
or four inches and you will have them year after year as I have 
had them for the last three years ; and water them well once a 
night with a plentiful supply of good cold water. 
Ferns and orchids are more of a fad with me. I have taken 
up the collecting of them in my spare moments in a particular 
line of botany, and it has proven very interesting. I have about 
thirty-two or thirty-three varieties of our native ferns, and had five 
varieties of Cypripedium in blossom at once last June. 
I can assure my. readers that it has given pleasure and also 
brought me into a closer acquaintance with the aristocrats of the 
floral kingdom—the orchid, so shy, so exclusive and so secluded. 
Jan. 6th, 1906. 
