Orchids as a Ftobby! 
HETHER or not you have ever been interested 
\X/ in horticulture before, you will find the grow- 
ing of orchids a delightful hobby — some say 
the ultimate hobby! — filled with pleasure, satisfaction 
and stimulating recreation. This is not only because of 
the unusual beauty of the flowers, the fascination of 
their myriad forms and breath-taking colors, but be- 
cause orchids offer unsurpassed interest for observation 
and study, due to their highly specialized structures 
and remarkable adaptation to their environment and to 
the insect world. Orchid growing is a hobby that en- 
gages not only the mind, but equally occupies the 
hands, providing an absorbing activity which is health- 
ful and truly recreative of mind and body. 
Many who might easily take up orchid culture have 
been deterred from the attempt because of the mistaken 
idea that their culture is difficult. While it is true that one 
must learn their requirements — as is true of any garden- 
ing pursuit or most hobbies — yet this is not difficult, as is 
evidenced by the thousands now enthusiastically growing 
orchids in every corner of the globe under conditions that 
vary from the subtropical warmth of South Florida to the 
frigid climate of Alaska and Iceland. 
The basic information on culture is readily obtained 
from the many books, periodi- 
cals and miscellaneous pam- 
phlets now available. The 
American Orchid Society and 
more than forty afhliated local 
societies are a constant source of 
advice. Particularly valuable in 
aiding the novice is the Ameri- 
can Orchid Society Bulletin, 
published each month with 64 to 
72 fact-filled, illustrated pages. CYPRIPEDIUM 
