PEEFACE TO THE FOUETH EDITION. 



The rapidity with which the third edition of this work 

 has been disposed of, and the frequent assurances I have 

 had from Amateur Orchid Growers, both abroad and at 

 home, of the benefits they haye derived from the use of 

 it, have induced me to issue a new edition, in which 

 many new and fine species and varieties, which have 

 but recently been introduced into cultivation, are 

 included. 



It is a source of great satisfaction to me to know 

 that my efforts to assist amateurs in the cultivation 

 of the interesting and extremely beautiful class of 

 Orchidaceous plants have not only been crowned with 

 succesSj but that they have also been the means of 

 inducing many other plant-lovers to commence their 

 study and cultivation. 



It is equally satisfactory to me to know, that the 

 " Oeohid-Geowee's Manual" is not confined, as re- 

 gards its sphere of usefulness, to our own country, 

 for it now circulates freely amongst lovers of these 

 charming plants residing in America, Australia, the 



