278 



THE PLANT DECORATION OF APARTMENTS. 



appearance never fails to produce a pleasing impression. 

 Nephrolepis exaltata is universally useful, and stands the 

 air of rooms without the slightest injury. 



Until recently, I had little belief in the utility of Orchids 

 for this purpose, but experience has shown me that they 

 may be introduced into a drawing-room with perfect success, 

 the plants not having suffered in the least by the change of 

 atmosphere. The most suitable Orchids are the various 



species of Cattleya, Vanda, 

 Fia 116 - Aerides, and Cypripedium. 



Doubtless the time is not far 

 distant when we may venture 

 to try many more kinds than 

 we can now afford to do ; but 

 even from what we have al- 

 ready done in that way, I en- 

 tertain no doubt that the Or- 

 chid family will eventually 

 furnish the most valuable of 

 all plants for room decoration. 

 True they may not live 

 throughout the year in rooms 

 as Reuses and such plants do, 

 but that is not desirable — 

 their appearance, as a rule, 

 not being prepossessing when 

 out of flower. The quality 

 that they do possess, and that 

 which makes them so valuable, 

 is, the thick succulent texture 

 of the flowers generally. This 

 enables them to continue a 

 long time in bloom in a room, and a like kind of texture 

 enables the leaves to stand during the blooming time without 

 injury. 



We ourselves are foremost so far as flowering plants are 

 concerned, ours being as a rule better grown. One plant, 

 however, cultivated in great abundance around Paris for 

 winter blooming, is well worthy of increased attention— 



Tillandsia splendens. 



