HINTS ON COLLECTING ORCHIDS. 13 



their not being packed in a proper state ; the plants themselves, as well 

 as the material employed, should be well dried before packing, and care 

 should be taken to avoid bruises, which often prove fatal. Gattleyas 

 and plants with similar pseudobulbs we have received in close boxes 

 from Brazil, packed in dry shavings, and have found them, when opened, 

 in good condition; but care had evidently been taken to pack them 

 firmly so that they did not shake about in the boxes on their journey. 



Odontoglossums travel best when tied upon sticks of wood, which 

 should be securely fastened in the cases. 



The best time of year for receiving Orchids in this country is, if 

 possible, the spring, in order that they may have the summer before 

 them in which to get established. 



With the Anoedochili the best way is to tie some moss round their 

 roots and stems to keep them firm, leaving the foliage free just above 

 the moss ; they should occupy a small case by themselves. These little 

 things are very tender, and therefore require a great deal of care to 

 import them alive. On arrival, pot them in some dry soil (see 

 Anoectochilus), and put them in a close place with little heat at first, 

 until they begin to grow ; afterwards pot them separately in small pots, 

 and place them under hand-glasses or in a frame, giving them the 

 treatment usually recommended for this class of plants. 



Cases in which Orchids are sent home ought to be made strong, and if 

 glazed, roofed with good stout glass not easily broken ; for we have often 

 found plants spoiled by the glass being fractured. Through an accident 

 of this kind, salt water and cold air may get in, both of which are very 

 injurious. All cases should be air-tight and water-tight, except a round hole 

 at each end near the top, covered with wire gauze inside and out, to allow 

 the damp air to escape. To prevent the glass being broken, the best thing 

 to place over it is some strong iron wire, or perforated zinc, or stout and 

 broad wooden bars. The sash bars ought also to be made very strong, 

 and the case must not be placed during the journey too near heated 

 surfaces or fires in the ship. We have seen many boxes of plants spoiled 

 by being set in such positions, the leaves being completely dried up. 

 They ought to be placed in a moderately warm situation, but by no 

 means near any fires or boilers. Many plants also arrive in this country 

 in a dead or dying state, from the efiects of full exposure to the rays of 

 the sun ; this, however, may be obviated by simply painting the glass 



