436 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



use of in order to induce a satisfactory condition of growth under 

 unnatural conditions. Nature cannot be improved upon, and our efforts 

 must, therefore, be hmited to an endeavour to imitate her ways. To 

 what extent we succeed, or have succeeded, up to the present you all 

 know. Any measure of success we have attained should only stimulate 

 further endeavours. 



There are, no doubt, some plants that all but refuse to conform to 

 the artificial conditions inseparable from cultivation, but it cannot be 

 said, generally, that epiphytic Orchids are tender or unmanageable. 

 On the contrary, it has been proved that when properly cared for they 

 continue to thrive, and keep up a healthy existence, sure evidence that 

 observation and attention on the part of the cultivator have been well 

 applied. We have all experienced the peculiar satisfaction of attaining 

 a desired object when success or failure has been hanging in the balance. 



It requires, how^ever, no great amount of observation to see that 

 these epiphytes, which will often bear a great amount of bad treatment 

 before being killed outright, must have their nature studied, and be 

 given treatment suitable to their requirements, before they are capable 

 of being grown to the healthy and vigorous condition so much desired. 

 Plants that suffer either from neglect or mismanagement must 

 obviously be long in recovery, even if death does not bring them to an 

 untimely end. 



Discussion. 



Mr. O'Beien: I have listened to the able paper given by Mr. 

 Alexander with the greatest pleasure. It is, I think, the best paper 

 on Orchid cultivation ever read before the Eoyal Horticultural 

 Society. Some fifty years ago I had myself the honour of having 

 charge of the Westonbirt collection in the time of the late Egbert 

 Stayner Holford, father of Sir George L. Holford, who is present 

 with us this day, and who has endeared himself to Orchidists no less 

 by his love of horticulture than by his courteous manner towards all 

 who are interested in the subject. I know that at Westonbirt the 

 plants had pure air and a good light even in winter, but even these 

 advantages are of little avail unless good cultivation and constant care 

 are given. It is not necessary to praise the successes of the Weston- 

 birt collection; the magnificent groups in the Hall at the present time, 

 and those which have frequently been staged for years past, show that 

 no higher standard could be obtained and no better exponent of Orchid 

 culture found than Mr. Alexander. I should like to emphasize the 

 remarks made as to the necessity of severing or removing old back 

 bulbs, which only impoverish the leading and actively rooting growths 

 to the detriment of the flower development. I should also like to 

 support most heartily the remarks on careful watering. If too much 

 water is given it interferes with root-production, especially with such 

 Orchids as Oattleyas and Laelias. If over-watered these Orchids make 

 but little root and rapidly decline in vigour. 



The thanks of the Eoyal Horticultural Society and of this Con- 



