Preface 



simple fact, the clear downright statement " yea " 

 or " nay," the bit of elementary instruction which 

 ignorance requires. Remembering that era, I feel 

 able to write such a book as would have cheered 

 and helped me then. It is said that j^oets " learn 

 in STiffering what they teach in song." I venture 

 to apply the aphorism. 



This is no disjmrageiu-snt oi the valuable works 

 existing. What they lack may be expressed in 

 one word — precision. General terms are used, and 

 they suffice for the experienced. But the beginner 

 knows not how to interpret them. He does too 

 much or too little, and always he is irritated by 

 uncertainty. Upon these points it is unnecessary 

 to say more ; the reader will judge. 



But the issue of a new book on the Culture of 

 Orchids may be tified on other grounds. For 

 several years past the shrewd horticulteurs of 

 Belgium have favoured a system utterly different 

 to ours, even opposed in some respects to the prin- 

 ciples which we are used to think essential. At 

 the present time it is universally accepted in 

 Belgium, and generally throughout the Continent : 

 but in England few orchid-growers could be found 

 who have given it a trial— the great majority, 

 perhaps, have not yet heard of it. And they laugh, 

 not altogether without reason, if told of practices 

 by the foreigner which defy all their established 

 rules; but they would cease to laugh at si'dit of 



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