256 INTRODUCTION OF FLOWERING ORCHIDACE^ TO DRAWING-ROOMS. 
expose the injudiciousness of this practice ; and we trust all will be induced 
hereafter to consign their weakly plants, as well as those of recent importation, to 
a pit or frame; thus overcoming one grand obstacle to the introduction of a 
more vigorous system of management. 
Not many years since, the notion of Orchidaceae being brought to adorn the 
drawing-rooms of the opulent, was considered a pure chimera. So, at the present 
time, our supposition that their habits may, by a discreet boldness of treatment, 
be assimilated to an indefinable extent, will probably be received with incredulity 
or even ridicule. But we have seen the former of these opinions fully corroborated, 
and all that is wanting to render its fulfilment universal, is the adoption and 
success of the latter expedient, of which we entertain the most sanguine expec- 
tations. 
Although we have perhaps been rather excursive in this article, our subject 
demanded that we should touch lightly on the culture of Orchidaceae in general, 
and we now return to give the reader a more succinct and definite idea of our 
design. All plants that are presumed to be capable of producing flowers, and 
which may possess sufficient beauty or interest to render their transference to the 
drawing-room desirable, should, for some time prior to their flowering, be kept as 
dry as their actual wants will permit, and be carried to their place of destination 
as soon as the first flowers expand. If watered lightly, and freely drained, the 
day anterior to their removal, they will seldom need any other attention till the 
flowers have withered, and they are restored to their original quarters. 
Those species which are growing in pots, will require to be considerably elevated, 
in order to display their beauties ; and for this purpose, a number of marble or 
ornamental wooden pedestals, about three or four feet high, and as many inches in 
diameter, with a small tablet fastened to the top, should be provided, on which the 
plants can be placed, according to their size. The corners of the room, and, when 
a fire is employed, those farthest from it, should be considered as the most suitable 
situations, for many reasons; the chief of which are, that they will thus be 
secluded from light, and bloom much longer in consequence, and that these are 
in all respects the most convenient positions for them. 
There still remains a large proportion of species that are kept in baskets, or 
attached to blocks of wood, and which seem to demand suspension from the roof 
of the structure wherein they are kept. Some of those in baskets might easily be 
placed as already suggested for the species that are in pots : others, from their 
peculiar fitness for suspension, should be attached to brass or gilt chains affixed to 
the ceiling, which might be wrought in such a manner as not to be at all unsightly, 
and moveable when not in use. Plants thus pendent, would give an air of enchanting 
liveliness and elegance to a room. Drooping species should always be chosen, as 
well as those which are altogether most graceful and showy ; while the baskets may 
be readily enveloped in moss, so as to render their appearance more natural. 
It is needless to expatiate on the desirableness of such a system as that here 
