278 THE PLANT DECORATION OF APAUTMENTS. 



appearance never fails to produce a pleasing impression. 

 Neplirolepis exaltata is nniversally nsefnl,, and stands tlie 

 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 di'awing-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^ 

 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 Ficuses 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 

 Tillandsia splendens. fiowcrs 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 — 



