266 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
ORCHID CULTURE AS A HOBBY. 
TuE other day I was looking through the collection of an amateur Orchidist, 
who is a very enthusiastic and highly successful cultivator, when the conver- 
sation turned upon Orchid culture as a hobby, and as it appears to the 
ordinary outsider. The latter individual soon recognizes that there is some- 
thing peculiar about an Orchid collection, and on his first visit is often 
much amused at some of the features presented by these curious plants, and 
the strange cultural freaks attempted. Here, a few apparently almost dead 
sticks stuck in pots, with only a few crocks to grow in, there some strange 
monstrosity hanging head downwards from a block of wood, apparently 
holding on by a few twining roots, with only a little moss for their support, 
and everywhere plants suspended in pans and baskets from the roof—all so 
different from the contents of an ordinary greenhouse. Some of the plants 
he regards as mere curiosities devoid of attractive qualities, and wonders 
why they are grown at all. Here and there, however, are striking objects 
to excite his enthusiasm—flowers of marvellous shape or exquisite colour 
and markings, frequently both combined, with a delicious fragrance thrown 
in. If a horticulturist, he may try a few plants later on, and sometimes 
develops in due time into a highly successful grower. There is something 
infectious about Orchid culture. 
_ And when one comes to think of it there is something unique about an 
Orchid collection, which helps to explain why the culture of these plants 
becomes one of the most engrossing and delightful of hobbies, and one 
which grows in interest year by year. Some of those who have not ex- 
perienced the fascination have asked why this should be so, and what are 
the superior qualities which these plants possess. Some other plants are just 
as showy, as fragrant, and as easily cultivated—nay, more so—but they fail 
to awaken such enthusiasm. Orchids are pre-eminent in this respect. 
Their beauty, their grotesqueness of form, and their infinite variety, 
are all attractive. Mr. Boyle has remarked that “fancy has not conceived 
such loveliness, complete all round, as theirs—form, colour, grace, distri- 
bution, detail, and broad effect.” But this is not all. Their very manner 
of growth, the cleanliness of the materials used in their culture, and the 
succession of varieties in flower throughout the year, are additional points 
in their favour. Moreover, the plants do not develop excessive luxuriance 
during the summer, so as to overflow the house and become a nuisance, and 
then shrink into insignificance during the winter; so ‘that their very coy- 
ness is an additional charm. They go steadily on, and are interesting at 
every stage. Whether the new growths are appearing, the pseudobulbs 
plumping up and ripening, or the flower spikes beginning to push up, their 
progress is always followed with interest. There is a sense of continuity, 
