320 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Epidendrums, that "the plants cannot by any art yet known be cultivated in the ground; 

 though, could they be brought to thrive, many of them produce very fine flowers of 

 uncommon form." 



The favourite cool-house Orchid (Phaius grandifolius) w as introduced as far back as 

 1778 by Dr. Fothergill, and nine years later Epidendrum cochleatum flowered in the Royal 

 Gardens at Kew, whilst in 1794 fifteen species of Epiphytal Orchids were sent over by 

 Admiral Bligh and other officers from the West Indies. Epiphytal kinds now commenced 

 to arrive more freely from abroad, but cultivators in England, through a want of knowledge 

 of the strange plants, blundered sadly in their treatment. Case after case arrived, to quickly 

 succumb to the wrong way of growing these leafless masses, and it was not until some of 

 the collectors began to insist upon certain rules being followed that the death-rate was 

 lowered. 



The name of Messrs. Loddiges is familiar in the history of Orchid cultivation in 

 these isles, and in 1812 we read that these famous nurserymen had a sale in their 

 nursery at Hackney, when the many beautiful species introduced by these enterprising 

 horticulturists were sold for considerable sums. Many genera or families now commenced 

 to appear, as about this time Dr. Roxburgh sent from India the first Vanda, Dendrobium, 

 and At-rides, three of the most charming of all Orchid groups for their sweet perfume, colour, 

 and pleasing form. Yet home growers were still perplexed concerning the culture of these 

 precious introductions, secured with much risk" and sometimes suffering by such famous 

 men as William Lobb, Gibson, and Ure-Skinneri, who all warned European cultivators not 

 to grow the Orchids from temperate climates in stilling heat, a course followed by 

 Dr. Lindley. He considered that a process of baking was desirable to promote vigour and an 

 abundant display of flowers. Sir Joseph Hooker wrote true words when he described 

 England as "the grave of tropical Orchids." But of course this deplorable condition of 



things was not likely to con- 

 tinue, for we know that Mr. 

 (afterwards Sir) Joseph Paxton 

 cultivated Orchids with success 

 in the houses at Chatsworth. 

 As time went on, glasshouses 

 improved and were built espe- 

 cially for Orchid cultivation, 

 unlike the big draughty struc- 

 tures fashionable in the early 

 Victorian era. 



Collections of Orchids 

 are numerous in the present 

 day, and even the amateur 

 may grow a few kinds with 

 perfect success, as the habits 

 of the plants are now 

 thoroughly well understood. 

 A few species and varieties 

 well chosen for their beauty 

 will contribute brilliant col Dur- 

 ing to the plant-house, and 

 prove useful also for cutting, 

 as Orchid flowers are welcome 

 in choice decorations, whilst 

 l.hlia perrini. they remain fresh for even 



