INTRODUCTION. 5 



in those days seemed to some people to be utterly impossible. We were 

 often told so after these papers had been published in the Gardeners' 

 Chronicle, but we were well rewarded by receiving the approbation of 

 Dr. Lindley, who was the greatest authority on Orchids at that time. 

 When we told Dr. Lindley of our intention to bring out the Orchid- 

 Grower's Manual, he advised us not to do so, feeling sure, he said, it 

 would never pay ; but our intention was fixed, for it gave us unbounded 

 pleasure to write of our favourites, of which we were then as fond as we 

 are now. Indeed, it is to us a source of great satisfaction to do all we 

 can to bring Orchids before the public, and we are glad to find that our 

 efforts are appreciated, and that there is an increasing taste for these 

 lovely and varied plants. All plants require attention, some of course 

 more than others, but these can be as easily cultivated as any ; and as 

 some Orchids can now be bought for a few shillings each, they come 

 within the reach of everyone who has a small house, and in such a 

 structure a few of them can be grown with very little trouble and 

 expense. 



If Orchid collectors will take our advice, founded on many years' 

 experience, and import the plants at a proper time of year, we should 

 have a good supply, and to spare, and be able to leave some for stock in 

 their native country, instead of sacrificing the whole produce of a district 

 where doubtless plants, and among them new species and varieties 

 would turn up, as there are so many natural hybrids, and sometimes but 

 few of the same type in one locality. 



We have now in cultivation several species, of which there has only 

 been one importation, such as Aerides Schrodeni, Oijpripedium superbiens, 

 Cyprvpedium Fairrieanum, and others we could name, and although our 

 collectors have been in search of these scarce plants, they have not 

 been successful , in again finding them. Look at Laelia anceps Dawsonii. 

 Collectors have been to the very spot where this was first found, but we 

 do not think there has been one plant brought home since. Mr. Low's 

 traveller was the first who brought it, and since then there have been 

 many sold for it, but they have proved not to be the true variety ; and 

 although a large number of white forms of Laelia anceps have been found 

 during the last few years, some resembling Laelia anceps Dawsonii, yet 

 none of them are so good as the true Dawsonii, neither have they the same 

 breadth of petal and the free flowering quality of that variety. We mention 



