42 oechid-geowee's manual. 



little care it would have travelled safely to any distance. In 

 fact distance is of very little consequence, if the packing is 

 well done. This was proved in a most extraordinary manner 

 in the spring of 1869, by Kobert Warner, Esq., who sent 

 upwards of fifty specimen Orchids, from his gardens at Broom- 

 field, to the International Horticultural Exhibition at St. Peters- 

 burgh. These plants were carefully packed in close cases, 

 and sent by rail the whole journey, saving the short run by 

 steamer across the Channel, eight days being occupied in 

 the transport. When unpacked and staged, they were in ex- 

 cellent condition, having suffered during the journey no 

 more than they would have done in the houses at home. 

 That these plants should travel to St. Petersburgh in such 

 excellent condition, is undoubtedly the greatest feat in con- 

 nection with horticultural exhibitions that has ever been ac- 

 complished, especially when it is stated that they were all 

 large plants — amongst them Phalmnopsis Schilleriana with a 

 hundred expanded blossoms ; P. grandijiora , with about half 

 the number ; Vandas, with numerous spikes ; Trichopilia crispa, 

 with a hundred open flowers ; Cattleyas, Dendrobivms, Odon- 

 toglossums, Cypripediums, Aerides, and several other genera, 

 the whole being profusely bloomed. A remarkable proof of 

 what care will do with even the most delicate flowers was 

 given in the case of the plant of Odontoglossmn Alexandra 

 exhibited in this collection, which, after standing at the St. 

 Petersburgh exhibition for a fortnight, was again packed up 

 and exhibited three weeks later at the Koyal Horticultural 

 Society's Gardens at Kensington, with the loss of only one or 

 two flowers. 



I have had a good deal of this work to do, and a few hints 

 on the subject to young beginners may be of practical use. 

 vSome kinds bear carrying much better than others. Phajm 

 Wallichii and P. grandifolius are both bad plants for travelling, 



