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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



broken, and with the despatch of Weir by the Horticultural 

 Society of London ; of Blunt, by Messrs. Low & Co., of Clapton ; 

 and of Schlim, by M. Linden, of Brussels, to collect Cattleyas and 

 Odontoglots in New Granada, was inaugurated a new era in 

 Orchid culture. 



I have now arrived at an epoch within the memory of most 

 living cultivators, and which may not be inaptly regarded as the 

 commencement of the period of modern Orchid culture. Into the 

 details of the practice of the present time it is not my purpose to 

 enter ; it is sufficient to note that among the most obvious 

 improvements of recent times must be included — larger and 

 more airy structures with separate compartments for different 

 climates (for large collections even separate houses) ; a lower 

 average temperature ; the admission of more light and air, and a 

 better system of heating, shading and ventilation. Of the 

 advantages that have accrued from these improvements we have 

 innumerable proofs ; but shall we regard our present Orchid 

 culture, so far as ourselves are concerned, as practically perfect, 

 and, resting satisfied with our achievements, leave to our 

 successors the task of making a further advance if they can ? 

 Such a course is surely unworthy of our calling and of ourselves . 

 Let us rather bring to the front some of the defects that remain 

 and try to discover a remedy for them. To cite instances : How 

 many can yet boast of growing successfully for half a dozen 

 consecutive years such Orchids as Cattleya citrina, Laalia albida, 

 L. majalis, L. autumnalis, Epidendrum vitellinum, E. nemorale, 

 and others from the Mexican highlands ? Who has yet cultivated 

 the Barkerias and the group of Brazilian Oncids represented 

 by Oncidium crispum, 0. Forbesii, 0. Marshallianum, 0. 

 sarcodes, 0. varicosum and their allies, for any length of time, 

 and has not had to deplore the gradual decline of the plants till 

 they died outright ? How is it that such fine Dendrobes as 

 Dendrobium formosum, D. Bensoniae, D. MacCarthia3,D.Parishii , 

 D. bigibbum, and others, are still refractory subjects ? That the 

 noble group of Zygopetala3 known as Bolleas, Huntleyas, Pesca- 

 toreas, &c, refuse to thrive for any length of time in our houses ? And 

 why, moreover, are we still obliged to regard as difficult plants to 

 cultivate, such fine Orchids as Cattleya Aclandiae, C. superba, 

 Chysis bractescens, Colax jugosus, Grammatophyllum Ellisii, 



