56 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 
a desire to grow a general collection. Those who arrange 
for a general collection of Orchids as their primary object 
often cut the flowers for their own use, or to give to their 
‘friends, and the following remarks may be useful to all 
classes of growers. 
A large proportion of the flowers of Orchids used for 
decorative purposes are in a great degree wasted by being 
cut in an immature state soon after the buds have expanded. 
Such flowers last but a very short time, and, if used for 
decoration by night, are only presentable for one evening. 
Orchid flowers should not be cut until they are fully mature 
and their tissues hardened. They last longer even if they 
are cut after they are past their best, than they do if cut 
too soon after expanding. When mature, the flowers re- 
quire less support from moisture passing up the stem than 
most flowers, but if cut in an undeveloped state sufficient 
moisture cannot be obtained through the stems, even if 
well supplied with water, to continue the development, and 
the petals droop and the flowers soon wither. 
When Orchid flowers are to be used for decorative pur- 
poses, no matter in what stage of development they may 
be, it adds greatly to their durability if they are placed head 
downward, thoroughly immersed in clean water (rain-water 
for preference), and kept so immersed until an hour or so 
before they are set up, gently shaking the water from them, 
and placing them on a cloth or some dry, cool surface 
until wanted. Treated in this way, Orchid flowers will last 
for weeks instead of days. The method should be to take 
them out of the dining-room or other place where they 
have been used after the guests have departed each evening, 
Have ready a large earthenware pan filled with water, 
