INTRODUCTION. 



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scarcely possible either to estimate its extent, or limit its scope. Flowers in great 

 abundance must be forthcoming for room and table decoration in the mansions of the 

 wealthier classes, and those owning smaller houses must also have a proportionatel}' 

 lavish display, while the industrial classes are equally fond, and quite as determined 

 to have their quota, of Nature's choicest gifts. This taste for house and table decoration, 

 personal adornment, church ornamentation, and memorial wreaths and crosses, was 

 never even approached in by-gone days, and it has led to a great industry being- 

 established, on which thousands of families depend for the necessaries of life. 



Immense quantities of flowers have of late years been imported from the more 

 southern European countries, and doubtless we shall continue to receive extensive 

 consignments for some time longer. The date is not so very far distant, however, when 

 we shall be much less dependent on large importations, as with the gigantic means 

 for home culture, provided and in progress, it Avill become more and more difficult 

 for foreigners to compete with us. It is not improbable that the tables may eventually 

 be turned, and that we shall be in a position to supply other countries with some kinds 

 of flowers. As a matter of fact, we could do so now with chrysanthemums, cyclamens, 

 daffodils, and others, if they would let us compete on fair terms. It is now the fashion 

 to compute the quantities of flowers sent from the Scilly and Channel Islands by the 

 ton, and growers nearer London could also an extraordinary tale unfold, such as one 

 of them spending nearly £20,000 annually in bulbs for affording flowers for sale, then 

 throwing the ''roots" away. It is scarcely possible to give a rough guess as to the 

 amount of glass devoted to flower culture alone, but it covers hundreds of acres of 

 ground ; while the land devoted to the growth of hardy flowers for cutting, also to plants 

 for sale and seed production, is still more extensive, amounting to thousands of acres. 



In a brief review of the progress made, and improvements effected, among all 

 classes of plants, the most fashionable, and, all things considered, the most beautiful 

 family, namely, orchids, ought to occupy the premier position. It cannot be denied 

 that the progress made with these, both as regards the introduction of new and 

 beautiful species, and also the skill displayed in their culture, has during the past 

 quarter of a century been marvellous. During recent years they have been imported 

 in such large quantities — propagation also going on rapidly — that not only can 

 they be bought at comparatively cheap rates, but cut flowers are also very abundant 

 in the markets, and the supply will increase. Those occasional sales of very rare or 

 choice specimens, when individual plants realise as much as £250, no more indicate 



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