252 Culture of OrchidecE. 



cumstances, the progress made by these trees in ten years from 

 the seed is well worthy of being recorded, as an encouragement 

 to planters. We may here remark, that one effect of such ex- 

 cellent soil and rapid growth on trees and shrubs is to alter, to 

 an extent varying in different species, the character which the 

 tree or shrub has in its wild state. Thus, in the Chiswick Gar- 

 den, the ^^cer campestre, the Scotch pine, the buckthorn, the 

 dogwood, &c., have a character almost as different from that 

 which they assume in their native habitats, as the character of a 

 garden apple is different from that of a crab. This is a general 

 effect of cultivation on almost all plants, ligneous as well as herb- 

 aceous, though it is much more frequently observed in the lat- 

 ter than in the former. We have since received a second com- 

 munication on the subject, which will appear in a subsequent 

 Number. — Cond. 



Art. XI. Cautionary RemarJcs on Mr. Henchman' s Paper on the 

 Cultm'e of OrcMdece. By H. P. 



Having read the interesting communications on the subject 

 of Epiphytal Orchideae, by my friends Mr. Glendinning (p. 136.) 

 and Mr. Henchman (p. 113. and 137. )? I hope the latter will 

 excuse me when, as a practical gardener, I state my objections 

 to some of his hints, not in opposition, but as an admonition 

 regarding the effects those hints are likely to produce, as they 

 must lead those unacquainted with the subject to suppose that 

 we are ignorant of any successful mode of cultivating these 

 plants. A few months' residence in their native climate cannot 

 warrant him in making light of ascertained facts regarding what 

 these plants are capable of enduring, and the circumstances 

 under which they are found to flourish in an artificial climate. 

 There are no greater difficulties attending their cultivation, than 

 those we yet encounter in other families with which our fathers 

 were acquainted ; in almost all choice tribes we find many species 

 impatient of cultivation, and but shortlived, under any advantages 

 the gardener can command. 



Mr. Henchman's directions are, with little variation, what have 

 been often tried, and as often abandoned ; that is, that, to insure 

 success in the cultivation of tropical plants, we have only to at- 

 tempt an imitation of their native chmate. But it must be evident, 

 that many circumstances which are most favourable to their habits, 

 in their native climate, are beyond even our attempts at imita- 

 tion ; and it is also evident, that, while we endeavour to imitate, 

 as nearly as we can, the variations in temperature and humidity, 

 so great a contrast exists between the other parts of our practice 



