THE BOOK OF ORCHIDS 



Orchid culture, need not be deterred by their facing 

 this way or facing that. I would say further, that in 

 building new ones, he need not greatly inconvenience 

 himself in order to make his houses run in any 

 particular direction, providing that proper convenience 

 is arranged in other respects. But it is advisable that, in 

 building new houses, no two should be placed close 

 together side by side ; each should be built apart from 

 others, in order to allow free ventilation through the 

 lower openings made for that purpose. Also let it not 

 be supposed that elaborate or scientifically built houses 

 are absolutely necessary for the culture of Orchids, for 

 I have known several amateurs who grow them in a 

 small way, and who have two or three little houses, 

 which answer perfectly, in the space which one would 

 commonly call a back yard. 



Imported Plants 



At the present time a great number of people take a 

 special interest in Orchids, as anybody who is accustomed 

 to attend auctions and horticultural exhibitions knows. 

 The large attendances and spirited competitions for 

 Orchids, whether they be newly imported plants or 

 hybrids raised by horticultural skill, show that collectors 

 are rapidly increasing in number. Owing to the im- 

 mense consignments of Orchids now being constantly 

 imported, greater facilities exist for obtaining these 

 plants. Their cost is so very much lower than formerly 

 as to bring them within the means of all who can afford 

 to build a greenhouse or stove in which to cultivate 

 them. It frequently happens at a sale of imported 

 Orchids that enthusiastic growers are carried away by a 

 momentary spirit of competition, and give a great deal 

 more for plants than in all probability they are worth. 



