Phalcenopsis Scbilleriana 
Orchid Culture for Amateurs 
By WILLIAM S. RICE 
O RCHIDS are Nature’s aristocrats, from their 
delicate, silken or velvety petals to the 
exquisite perfume that lurks in the heart 
of them. This mark of high distinction is indelibly 
stamped upon their crinkled petals in dainty shades 
of cream, yellow, pink, rose, mauve, purple and in 
virgin white. 
One feels instinctively their noble birth when 
ushered into their presence from the crude, fresh, 
invigorating air of out-of-doors to the soft, humid, 
perfumed atmosphere of the greenhouse, where are 
gathered these titled foreigners from every tropic 
land. 
Among many the erroneous idea prevails that 
because of the rarity and high price of orchids, 
people of moderate means cannot afford to buy 
such luxuries. A little intelligent investigation in 
the matter, however, throws a very different light 
on the subject. The orchid family is such an 
extensive one that there are many species that are 
comparatively easy to grow. In fact, these same 
species are quite as beautiful and many of them are 
more beautiful than the higher priced ones; for, 
the standards set by collectors depend quite as 
much on the rarity of the species as on size or 
peculiar coloring. Those who are at all familiar 
with the orchid regard it purely as a highly developed 
and rarely beautiful flower with an individuality 
so marked as to be almost human. As such it is 
known and loved by many amateurs throughout 
America, who are far from being in the millionaire 
class. 
The earliest importation of orchid plants cost as 
much as $1000 each for rare kinds. Importations 
being now larger than formerly, and the product 
secured being more widely distributed, has forced 
down the prices of many varieties. 
The orchid was introduced in the greenhouses of 
England little more than a century ago, the first 
specimens having been brought from the tropics 
by returning missionaries and officers. Later, many 
new and striking species were introduced on account 
of the extravagant sums of money offered for novelties. 
Stimulated by these prizes, hunters scoured every 
part of the tropics, risking and often sacrificing their 
lives in the mountains, jungles and fever-breeding 
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