IMPORTING ORCHIDS 59 
and in it immerse the Orchid flowers, leaving them im- 
mersed until shortly before they are required to be set up 
again next day, repeating the same treatment every night. 
Managed in this way, sprays of Odontoglossums and other 
Orchids often last for weeks, and look better than freshly 
cut immature flowers do even on the first day. Flowers 
received by post should always be treated to the bath for 
some hours, and, during immersion, any defects which are 
reparable will be made good and the duration of the flowers 
ensured, especially if the immersion be repeated as before 
recommended. In this way Masdevallia, Sobralia, and 
other fugacious flowers may be used for decorative purposes 
for two evenings at least, but in the absence of immersion 
they would wither in a very short time. It might also be 
said that the Maidenhair Fern, also Asparagus plumosus, 
and other foliage used with the cut Orchids are materially 
benefited by immersion, the Maidenhair Fern especially ; 
it should always be kept immersed until required for use. 
CHAPTER XVI 
IMPORTING ORCHIDS 
Many interesting Orchids have been imported by amateurs 
who have friends or correspondents in the countries which 
the Orchids inhabit, and many more would have arrived 
alive if the persons who sent them possessed some know- 
ledge of the best methods of collecting, packing, and for- 
