House and Garden 
PHALiENOPSIS 
swamps in quest of the finest specimens. So great 
is the danger from wild animals that collectors are 
often forced to urge their native helpers on at the 
point of a brace of pistols. 
It must not, however, be inferred that the orchid 
is an unusual plant in its native haunts. On the 
contrary it outstrips all others there, taking and 
holding the best positions; swinging airily from the 
trunks of lofty trees which must be felled, in order 
to secure it, clambering over dripping rocks in 
shady places, clinging daringly to mountain sides 
at points as high as 14,000 feet, and planting itself 
with reckless abandon in the midst of jungle depths 
where the foot of man dares not go. 
A friend of the writer is an enthusiastic cultivator 
of these rare blossoms, and, while his greenhouse 
is only a small 8x10 affair, and though his collection 
is not a large one, he finds the care of it during his 
leisure hours, between banking hours, a congenial 
and elevating kind of recreation. 
“Instead of finding it a task,” he says, “a visit 
to my little orchid conservatory, where the scene is 
like some glowing picture, executed by the Master’s 
hand, invariably acts as a panacea and gives me 
new inspiration.” 
He tells me that he finds it especially interesting to 
watch the development of the flower buds, as they 
push up through their sheath and swell, then unfold, 
and finally reveal all their loveliness. The lip, 
which is carefully tucked away inside the bud, 
slowly opens, unrolling its beautifully fluted and 
ruffled edge. The average orchid is at first of a 
greenish hue; but this soon changes to a purple 
or a rose pink. 
Is it not remarkable how few, of all the many who 
express themselves as being fond of flowers, care 
enough to themselves undertake their cultivation ? 
Such people do not realize what pleasure this affords 
nor what a pleasant relaxation it offers to one after 
being shut up all day in an office. Who shall say 
that such time and labor is misspent even though 
one prefers to share his cut orchids with friends 
rather than ship them to the city florist who often 
pays as high as a dollar apiece for them ? 
While there are several varieties that may be 
grown in the ordinary greenhouse the cultivation of 
the Cattleya varieties have been found to be the 
best, the most interesting and likewise the most 
profitable to grow. 
Ordinarily propagation is effected by dividing the 
bulbs, or by taking young growths from the base of 
LjELIA purpurata 
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