76 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [ APRIL, igtt 
sufficient, for different species of the same genus do not always grow unde 
identical’ conditions, as may be illustrated by such familiar genera ¢ 
Dendrobium and Odontoglossum. Information as to the native country 
invaluable, but it does not necessarily indicate the requirements of a plan 
unless the altitude is also known. Absence of knowledge of the habitat 
often leads to a good many experiments being made before suitable cultur 
conditions are found, and it is a matter of common experience that after: 
one’s trouble there remain a number of intractable subjects, and some @ 
them of a very attractive character if only they could be grown. It is a 
such a collection as that at Kew where one comes most in contact with them, 
but perseverance has overcome many difficulties, and it is remarkable what a 
large number of species are grown successfully in the space at command 
The composition of such a collection naturally varies considerably 
time to time, but a good idea of its general character may be seen by 
article which appeared in the Kew Bulletin in 1891 (pp. 52-73) under 
title, ‘“‘ List of Orchids flowered at Kew in 1890.” In a preliminary ae 
it is remarked : ‘‘ Since 1887 a record has been kept of the Orchids whic " 
have flowered each year at Kew. The list for last year (1890) does not 
materially differ from those of previous years, but it is published as affording | 
data as to the time and duration of the flowering period of Orchids 
cultivated in England. It enumerates 766 species and varieties. 
“The Kew collection of Orchids differs in character as well as in extell 
from all other collections, except those of similar establishments. 
attempt is made to give prominence to the most showy-flowered by 
cultivation of a large number of examples. On the other hand, every cH0% 
is made to obtain and cultivate even small and unattractive kinds of 4 
scientific interest, such as the ordinary collector would consider beneath 
his notice. In the limited space available for Orchids as comprehensive 
collection as possible is aimed at. Consequently, while there 1s nevet ? : 
great display of Orchid flowers at Kew, at no time of the year is the 
collection wanting in floral interest. Thus, while the highest number 
species flowered in any one month was 125, in May, the lowest was 85 3 
January. The average for each month was a fraction over one hundred 
The collection was then estimated to contain about I 342 species, of 158 
genera, excluding hybrids and varieties. The genera most numerous in spec 
were Dendrobium with 69, and Masdevallia with 53. The total num 
in bloom for both March and April was rather over one hundred, of which 
a good proportion would be out together. In a few cases the flowering 
period extends over a long period, the flowers being borne in successiom 
be the present time a good number of interesting things are in flower . 
bud, including a plant of Lueddemannia Vyvereana, from Peru, 4 member 
of a genus found in very few collections, Stauropsis gigantea, remarkable 
