The following papers were written nearly four years 

 ago,, at the suggestion of Mr. Bellenden Ker^ who had 

 commenced the cultivation of Orchids, and whose gar- 

 dener then employed was not conversant with their 

 treatment. At first it' was intended that the observa- 

 tions should have been printed in a small volume ; but 

 the papers were afterwards offered to the Editor of the 

 Gardener^s Chronicle/^ in which publication they 

 appeared under the title of Orchids for the Milhon."^^ 

 They were preceded by the following remarks^ made 

 by the gentleman at whose suggestion they were 

 written. 



" Being desirous of growing a few of the more showy 

 Orchidaceous plants^ but as neither myself nor my then 

 gardener was acquainted with the mode of their cul- 

 tivation^ I applied for some information on this head to 

 Mr. Williams^ the gardener of my neighbour^ Mr. 



PRE PACE. / 



