PREFACE 



The literature of orchidology is voluminous in 

 these days. But the book written " by an amateur 

 for amateurs " is still needed. I have at least the 

 advantage of knowing what manner of work it 

 should be, for I have suffered from the want of it. 

 The various manuals current are not fitted, though 

 designed, for the class I would address — that large 

 number of persons whose gardener, competent in 

 other branches of his profession, must " turn up the 

 volume " for guidance in dealing with orchids, and, 

 often euo _,h, appeals to his master's judgment 

 thereon. How many they are my correspondence 

 proves. Such persons demand plain words from 

 the author, not general expressions ; having no 

 capacity to read b/tween the lines, they must needs 

 mark every gap X\'here all is smooth for the trained 

 orchid-grower. ' From that class I myself have 

 struggled upwards until I, too, consult the expert 

 without observing deficiencies. But I do not forget 

 the time when wicked wtirds arose as I turned 

 from one authority to another, seeking in vain the 



V 



