AXD THEIR MANAGBMEXr. 



Orchids as Town Plants. 



The atmospheric surroundings of London and other 

 large towns and cities in smok_\- manufacturing districts 

 are annually becoming more detrimental to plant-life 

 generall}-. In fact, it has become a question of some 

 importance as to what species of plants do best under 

 such unfa\-ourable conditions. The gaud)"-foliaged stove 

 plants lose their beaut}- with the first autumn fogs. The 

 hardiest of the greenhouse Ferns become burnt up, and 

 present a rust}- appearance. The usual greenhouse 

 occupants are altogether unable to withstand the town 

 winters ; while even such sturdy, hard-w ooded subjects as 

 the Indian Azaleas lose their lea\es, and when the flowers 

 expand in the spring the\- appear as if affixed to bare 

 pieces of wood. Such being the case, it will probably 

 appear strange that the writer should advocate Orchids 

 as being suitable subjects for town culture. Perhaps it 

 will surprise man\- to know that within about a mile 

 of Charing Cross, and on low-l)-ing ground in one of the 

 most densel\--popuIated districts, surrounded b)- factories 

 and gas-works, and within easj- distance of the fog-laden 

 Thames, is to be found one of the most prominent 

 Orchid collections in this countr}-. For upwards of nine 

 years the writer had the care and management of this 

 collection, which is not only numericall)- large, but 

 thoroughly representative, and includes quite a number 

 of those miniature Orchids that are of botanical interest. 

 Certainly Orchids thrive far more satisfactorily than any 

 of the ordinar}- kinds of plants generally found in green- 

 houses. Of course the fogs in winter do damage to 

 the plants, but generally they do not suffer to the 

 same extent as do other plants grown under similar 

 conditions. 



The accompanying Illustration fFig. i) of Orchids 

 grown as Town Plants, and for which we are indebted to 

 Mr. R. I. Measures, of Camberwell, will show what may 

 be done under the most unfavourable surroundings 

 possible. 



There are certain species, such as the deciduous 

 Calanthes, that produce their flowers through November 

 and December, and these it is well-nigh useless to 

 attempt to cultivate with the possibilit)- of seeing the 



