GKOWING THE NATIVE FLORA. 
21 
If necessary, the plants may be^ kept in the pots 
tiU next spring, when they may be planted out in the 
gardens; or they may be removed from the pots into 
the beds when they are rooted and established. If 
they are planted direct from the bush into the gar- 
dens they should be well shaded with light brush- 
wood or leafy twigs for a week or two, and kept well 
watered, but not wet. Even with all care possible 
this latter method is not usually a successful one. 
Failing the possession of a glass frame, the plants, 
if put into pots, should be kept in a warm corner, 
away from winds and draughts, and shaded from the 
sun’s direct rays with a hessian or calico screen. No 
attempt should be made to lift old plants or plants 
that have become hard-wooded. Their roots have 
ramified far too widely and deeply into the soil : and 
in removing the plant too much root destruction 
occurs, which, of course, will kill the plant. If it 
be wished to grow the terrestrial orchids, with which 
our flora is so rich, the better plan is to mark the spot 
where the orchids are growing, and when the stem 
and foliage have died, to simply dig up the tuber 
and plant it either in a pot or in the garden. These 
fascinating plants will grow easily when transplanted 
and always give satisfaction. It must be remem- 
bered that most orchids are dormant in summer when 
the soil is usually very dry. If the same conditions 
are given to them under cultivation, keeping the soil 
fairly dry when there is no growth, the plants will 
thrive well. 
The most difficult method of reproduction of the 
native flora is the growing of cuttings. Many 
