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 WORKS ON ORCHIDS, 
 
 BY 
 
 B. 8. WILLIAMS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. 
 JUST PUBLISHED. 
 
 The Orchid-Growers' Manual 
 
 6th EDITION, ENLARGED AND REVISED. 
 BY BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., 
 
 Author of" The Of chid Album," " Selected Ferns and Lycopods," " Choice Stove and Green 
 house Flowering Plants," " Choice Stove and Greenhouse Ornamental-leaved Plants," &c.~ 
 
 Post 8vo, Cloth, Price 15s.; Free by Panels Post, 15s. 6d. 
 
 Profusely Illustrated with a large number of page d>> double page Engravings 
 on Wood, together with Blocks illustrative of types of the various genera. 
 
 This popular -work has been entirely re-modelled ami revised up to the present time, and 
 has been enlarged to 659 pages. It contains descriptions of upwards of 1,470 species and 
 varic t'.es of Orchidaceous plants, together with 478 synonyms ; alsa authorities for the names, 
 the families to which the various genera belong, the flowering period, native country, and 
 references to figures. 
 
 THE ORCHID ALBUM, 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 COLOURED FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 NEW, RARE, & BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDACEOUS PLANTS, 
 
 Cultivated in this Country. 
 
 CONDUCTED BY ROBERT WARNP^R, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. 
 Author of "Select Orchidaceous Plants," 
 
 AND 
 
 BENJAMIN SAMUEL WILLIAMS, F.L.S., F.R.H.S. 
 Author of" The Orchid Growers' Manual," d;c. 
 
 THE BOTANICAL DESCRIPTIONS BY 
 
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 The Coloured Figures by JOHN NUGENT FITCH, F.L.S. 
 
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 or utility to Orchid growers. The subjects selected for the Illustrations will comprise the most 
 ornamental and attractive species and varieties, new and old, of this noble and beautiful family. 
 
 The Work is issued regularly in Monthly Parts. Each Part contains four handsomely 
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 PUBLISHED BY B. S. WILLIAMS, 
 At the Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, London, N. 
 
ORCHIDS. 
 
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 Beg to call attention to their very extensive 
 collection of Orchids, to the culture of which 32 
 houses are devoted. 
 
 They respectfully invite an inspection of the 
 Plants, and will at all times be happy to quote 
 the latest prices of all the leading kinds. 
 
 They will also be happy to quote special 
 prices when a quantity is required, or for extra 
 sized Plants. 
 
 Catalogues forwarded free on application, 
 
 ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, 
 
 554, King's Road, Chelsea, S. W. 
 
SIR TREVOR LAWRENCE, BART., M.Pc 
 
 {President of the Royal Horticultural Society. ~\ 
 
^Gxctaceou> n&nty 
 
 o rcdop, 
 
 Horticulture Office 
 
G3 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE First Edition of this Treatise was issued as a 
 Review of the Structure and History of Orchids, and 
 was very favourably received ; but, in compliance with 
 the wishes of many friends and correspondents, a section 
 in the present Edition has been devoted to the Culture 
 of Orchids, giving an epitome of many years' observa- 
 tions. Several other Chapters have also been added 
 that are likely to be useful or interesting. 
 
 For the majority of the Illustrations I am 
 indebted to Dr. Robert Hogg, and the Portrait of 
 Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., has been kindly supplied 
 by Dr. M. T. Masters, Editor oi the Gardeners' 
 
 Chronicle. 
 
 L. C. 
 
 171, FLEET STREET, E.C., 
 May ^d, 1886. 
 
 M370698 
 
FLORAL FASHION. 
 
 FASHION is proverbially variable, and its dictates always influence 
 a large proportion of a community, particularly in regard to the 
 ordinary customs of life ; the fashion of dress is all important, 
 but there is also a fashion in walking, talking, and writing, that 
 varies with the age and gives distinctive characters to every 
 generation. It is not, however, to these matters alone that 
 fashion is confined, for it has in modern times extended its in- 
 fluence to the plant world, and the floral favourites of one period 
 have been proportionately neglected at another, being superseded 
 by some in which more pleasing qualities have been discovered 
 or imagined. The changeability has not been so great or so 
 frequent in the latter case as in the former, but it has in several 
 instances been equally unreasonable. Who has not heard of the 
 notorious Tulip mania, which caused thousands of persons in 
 Holland under the influence of a speculative madness to risk all 
 their possessions in the purchase of bulbs that had acquired a 
 grossly fictitious value ? Like other bubbles of a similar 
 character, it burst at last and ruined innumerable homes, but 
 this was a strikingly exceptional case, and happily we have had 
 nothing of the same nature in the plant world since. Many 
 families of plants have risen successively in favour, but nevgr to 
 such an absurd and injurious height as the Tulips; and i^^gh , 
 surprisingly high prices have ,been obtained 'for popular or rare 
 plants, there has, with few exceptions, been more commercial 
 solidity and less gambling attending the transactions. 
 
 Heaths, for instance, some years ago held an important position 
 amongst the most appreciated plants, rare species and beautiful 
 varieties realising prices that would now be thought ridicule tisf" 
 but their descent from general favour was very gradual, and 
 except in the case of dealers who retained large stocks in ex- 
 pectation of a return to the former demand, little loss was 
 occasioned. Hard-wooded plants, including many of extreme 
 beauty from the Southern Hemisphere, have similarly been petted 
 and neglected ; the Proteas and Banksias were at one time the 
 wonders of many plant stoves, and Cactuses have also had a 
 
large share of popularity. Some of these have been set aside to 
 make room for more quickly and easily grown plants, in accord- 
 ance with the changing fashion of the day, or with the 
 increasing utilitarianism which will tolerate the beautiful only 
 upon the most economical terms. Carnations, Picotees, and 
 Dahlias have enjoyed a steadily sustained popularity during a 
 long period, while the acknowledged Queen of Flowers, the Rose, 
 retains her sway over an increasing number of subjects. 
 
 In what may be termed groups of plants, we have an example 
 of long-continued, and still advancing favour, in the hardy her- 
 baceous plants whose claims have most deservingly received 
 powerful support in recent years. Many could be named that are 
 still favourites, but which have never been regarded as " fashion- 
 able flowers," and, therefore, have not attained to the commercial 
 importance of some families ; and still others could be mentioned 
 to prove the fluctuations that have taken place, but sufficient 
 have been enumerated to illustrate the changeableness of popular 
 taste with regard to plants generally. 
 
 Turning to the special objects of this treatise the Orchids 
 we have a most remarkable example of a gradually obtained and 
 substantial popularity amongst the wealthy patrons of horti- 
 culture. In this respect orchids are unique, for no other family 
 has ever evoked so much genuine enthusiasm, or caused such a 
 large expenditure of money in their collection, purchase, and 
 culture, as these. During the early part of the past half century 
 they steadily advanced in importance, but within the last twenty 
 years their progress has been most rapid ; and now they occupy 
 an extraordinary position in plant collections, not only of Britain, 
 but of Europe and America. Nor is this popularity of an unstable 
 'character, for there are evident signs of its long continuance, and 
 of an extension amongst a class of cultivators whose purses are 
 not so long as were those of what may be termed the inaugurators 
 of the Orchid fashion. There is, indeed, a great future yet for 
 numerous members of the Orchid family. The times are changed 
 considerably since the " Tulip madness " raged; people are now 
 too practical to encourage dangerous speculations, and we must, 
 therefore, look for some substantial causes of the Orchid enthu- 
 siasm, which has been described by an eminent botanist as " an 
 absolute passion." They are, however, easily found in the floral 
 beauty, structural peculiarities, and scientific interest that dis- 
 tinguish these plants, above all others, in one natural order. 
 Beautiful flowers from all climes adorn our houses and gardens, 
 all imaginable colours are represented, the richest and most 
 delicate fragrances delight us, but in the Orchid there is a mys- 
 terious attraction a something more than mere beauty of form, 
 with such evident adaptations for particular purposes, that \ve 
 appear to be in the presence of a form of life approximating to 
 
the Animal Kingdom. Distinct, too, in floral structure from other 
 plants, there is yet what Mr. Dresser would term a " unity in 
 variety," so patent that any novice recognises an Orchid at a 
 glance. These characters first brought the plants under the 
 notice of the learned and wealthy, bxit another important quality 
 gained for them a second set of admirers. Many of the species 
 are useful garden plants, flowering profusely, bright and varied in 
 colours, and lasting, in some cases, for months indeed, longer 
 than any other known flowers. 
 
 When these facts are considered, it is not surprising that 
 Orchids have become of vast pecuniary importance, one of the 
 chief departments of the horticultural trade in regard to orna- 
 mental plants being that occupied in their culture and distribu- 
 tion. Hitherto, it is true, Orchids have been chiefly confined to 
 the gardens of the wealthy ; but they are now finding their way 
 into those of the middle classes, and it is by no means uncommon 
 to see in suburban gardens the one house the occupier can afford 
 devoted to " cool orchids." These are rapidly advancing in 
 popularity, and as their prices become moderate the increase will 
 be still greater. Even now, plants may be purchased for a few 
 shillings which ten years ago would have cost as many pounds ; 
 but the downward tendency in large prices will be amply com- 
 pensated for by the extended sale of cheaper plants. People 
 begin to understand that Orchids are easily grown, so easily, in 
 fact, that any ordinarily intelligent person can grow them satis- 
 factorily ; and this removal of a long-prevalent erroneous impres- 
 sion respecting the difficulties attending their cultivation has 
 contributed, in a great measure, to the increase of their admirers. 
 When first attracting attention, innumerable plants were killed 
 by excessive heat and insufficient moisture, but under the direc- 
 tion of such experienced growers as Mr. B. S. Williams (who has 
 given the pith of Orchid Culture in his valuable " Manual "), 
 methods have been so simplified that none need hesitate now to 
 undertake the culture of the majority of Orchids, including all the 
 most useful species. 
 
 | The following brief review of the Orchid family is intended to 
 convey some idea of the peculiarities and recommendations 
 possessed by these remarkable plants, dealing first with their 
 structure, then with the history of their advance in this country, 
 noting those who have given most prominent assistance in the 
 work, and finally with an outline of their culture. [ Amateurs, or 
 others whose knowledge of the plants is rudimentary, may possibly 
 be induced to take still farther interest in one of the most extra- 
 ordinary forms of vegetation of the present period, and the 
 pleasure of contemplating such beautiful flowers can only be 
 increased by understanding something of their structure. 
 
 Where fuller information is required, it can be gained by con- 
 
8 
 
 suiting the various works enumerated in another portion of this 
 treatise, though, unfortunately, the best of them are too expensive 
 to be included in many private libraries. 
 
 ORCHID LIFE. 
 
 PLANT-LIFE in all its forms is invested with a remarkable interest, 
 and none can undertake the study of a small family, or even a 
 genus, without becoming fully conscious that there are " ,.iore 
 wonders in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy." 
 Perhaps no natural order could be selected to illustrate this 
 better than the Orchids, and none can investigate their wonders 
 so briefly or imperfectly that they will fail to be impressed with 
 its trr.th. Descriptions are, however, comparatively useless 
 without an examination of living specimens, and all who may 
 peruse the following notes with the desire of clearly under- 
 standing Orchid structure should closely observe the plants and 
 flowers in a living state. 
 
 Flowering Plants are divided into two large classes, distinguished 
 by well marked characters, and with a few exceptions it is not 
 difficult to determine in which a plant should be included. These 
 are termed respectively (i) Dicotyledons or Exogens, and (2) 
 Monocotyledons or Endogens ; the first is broadly distinguished 
 by the production of two or more seed leaves in germination ; the 
 iormation of young wood on the outer part of the stem under the 
 bark ; the possession of leaves with netted veins and flowers 
 with sepals, petals, and stamens in fours or fives, or some 
 multiple of these numbers. The second class is denoted by the 
 production of only one seed leaf, by a very different mode of 
 growth, the additions being first made in the centre of the stem, 
 and then passing outwards ; the absence of a true bark, the leaves 
 having the veins parallel except in one group, and the flowers 
 have their parts arranged in threes. To the latter (the Mono- 
 cotyledons) the Orchid family is assigned, but a person who had 
 never seen an Orchid flower before, and was unacquainted with 
 its characters, would find great difficulty in deciding its proper 
 position in the vegetable kingdom. The large and beautiful 
 family of the Irises, the Amaryllises, and the Lilies would be much 
 more easily recognised in this respect, for such great changes 
 have been effected in the floral structure of the Orchids that the 
 
family appears to be isolated and to claim no relationship with 
 the vegetation surrounding it. The most elementary student of 
 botany is familiar with the stamens and pistils that are usually so 
 prominent in flowers, though frequently more or less combined 
 amongst themselves. In the Orchids we get a remarkable 
 departure from this character, the stamens and pistils being 
 combined in one body, the column, quite unlike either. The 
 sepals and petals are usually both present, three of each ; but one 
 of the latter (the labellum) assumes a great variety of shapes, 
 frequently becomes much larger than the other parts, and is 
 
 FIG. 2. ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRA (O. CRISPUM). 
 
 generally the most prominent portion of the flower. In the 
 Dicotyledons we get some approach to both these conditions in 
 several families. The Asclepias and its relatives present, at first 
 glance, some resemblance to the column of the Orchids in the 
 staminal crown, but there is no direct cohesion between the 
 
10 
 
 stamens and the pistils, though the former are united m a tube 
 closely surrounding it. The corolla in the Mint family (Labiatse) 
 is often formed with a prominently projecting lobe, similar to the 
 lip of the Orchids, and it seems to serve a similar purpose, 
 namely, as an attraction and landing-place for insects ; but the 
 Orchid labellum is different in its origin, and is much more 
 highly developed, or modified. The resemblances pointed out 
 are nothing more, for the nearest relations of the Orchids are 
 found in the Iris and Ginger families ; but further reference will 
 be made to this in the course of the following descriptive notes of 
 the principal organs. 
 
 THE ROOTS. The popular designation of " Air Plants " that 
 was long applied to orchids, and which still survives in the name 
 of the genus Aerides, indicates a character distinguishing a large 
 number of species, namely, all those which, in a state of nature, 
 grow upon trees or other plants living upon the moisture in the 
 air, and having no communication with the earth by means of 
 roots, as in ordinary plants. These were at one time regarded as 
 parasites, but, as they do not derive any of their support from the 
 substance of their host, the term was inaccurate, and epiphyte, 
 meaning simply a plant which grows upon another, was applied 
 to orchids and others of like habit. The epiphytes comprise a 
 large proportion of the tropical orchids which luxuriate in warm, 
 moist climates, and clothe living and dead trees with fresh green 
 leaves and beautiful flowers, loading the air with the most exqui- 
 site perfume, or rendering it nauseous with the most fetid odours. 
 Another large group of species, including those of temperate 
 climates, such as we are familiar with in Britain, are termed 
 terrestrial, from their growing in soil like most plants. These 
 two groups naturally differ considerably in their roots, as they 
 have very different functions to perform. In the former the roots 
 are mostly thick and fleshy, often green, like the leaves and stem, 
 but sometimes white or ash coloured, cylindrical or flat, varying 
 in size from about half an inch in diameter to the most slender 
 fibres, and in length from a few inches to two or three feet. The 
 roots of most epiphytal orchids appear to prefer growing in the 
 air, to being surrounded by any moisture holding substance, and in 
 cultivated plants this is especially notable, much injury being 
 often done by burying the roots deeply. The roots of such genera 
 as the Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis) are very strange, flat, and of 
 an ashy or leaden colour. These cling closely to the wooden 
 blocks or baskets in which the plants are grown, and often present 
 an appearance almost suggestive of diminutive snakes. 
 
 One peculiarity in the case of some Phalsenopsis is that the 
 roots, if injured or broken, occasionally produce young plants at 
 that part, and thus afford a means of propagation, which has not 
 yet been fully appreciated. A good example of this was recently 
 
II 
 
 observed at Selborne, Streatham, where a plant of P. Stuartiana 
 had a small portion of a root severed from the main part, clinging 
 to the wood, and remained alive for several weeks without any ap- 
 parent change. Then at the extremity of the small root fragment 
 a projection was noticed, which subsequently developed a dimin- 
 utive leaf. The root then commenced growth again, and when I saw 
 it, it was a quarter of an inch beyond the plantlet. Similar occur- 
 rences have been observed in a few other species. Most of the 
 taller epiphytes appear to produce their roots from any portion of 
 their stem, as in the Vandas and the Dendrobiums, which also 
 affords a means of propagation, or of lowering plants that have 
 become too tall. 
 
 Terrestrial Orchids produce fleshy and fibrous roots that are 
 confined to the soil, and partake more of the nature of ordinary 
 roots. As many of these plants are however deciduous, losing 
 their leaves in the autumn, and as many do not produce 
 perennial stems, they obviously need some store of strength for 
 another season. This is provided by the tubers, which numbers 
 of our British species produce, such as the familiar Orchis 
 mascula, and the principal economic value of the family depends 
 upon the starch or gum (Bassorine) abundantly stored in their 
 tubers. They are sometimes in pairs, or in bunches of several, 
 and the true roots are usually produced from just above them. 
 Some peculiarities occur in certain genera, as in the Bird's Nest 
 Orchid (Neottia Nidus Avis), which has numerous interlacing 
 fibres like a bird's nest, or in the Coral Root (Corallorhiza), and 
 the Epipogium (E. Gmelini), which have curiously twisted tubers 
 resembling Coral. Some member of the three latter genera live 
 in partially decayed vegetable matter, apparently assimilating 
 their food without the aid of green colouring matter (chlorophyll), 
 or true roots, and are termed Saprophytes, being similar to the 
 peculiar Broomrape (Orobanche), and Toothwort (Lathraea). 
 
 THE STEMS. The Orchids, which possess true stems, are 
 chiefly those of the Vanda, Aerides, Saccolabium, and Angraecum 
 type, in which the leaves are produced in a two ranked 
 (distichous) manner on opposite sides of the stem, and produce 
 their flowers from the axils of the leaves. Some of these attain 
 a height of twelve feet or more, and are the giants of the Orchid 
 family, if we except the strange Javan Galeola altissima, 
 which is said to reach 120 feet or more, most others are either 
 very short, as in the tropical Cypripediums ; are pseudo-bulbous, 
 as in the Dendrobiums, or are of annual duration only, as in the 
 North American terrestrial Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium spec- 
 labile). After a careful study of the vegetative organs of the 
 Orchids at Kew, Dr. Pfitzer, of Heidelberg, has founded a system 
 of classification upon them, particularly upon the stems, and the 
 mode of growth that is detailed in full in the " Gardener's 
 
12 
 
 Chronicle," page 750, December nth, 1880. An outline of the 
 method may, however, be given here. The whole family is divided 
 into two groups, distinguished by their respective habits of growth, 
 and comprises the " Monopodial " Orchids, or those in which 
 the "main axis," that is, the stem, grows indefinitely, producing 
 its flowers from the sides. This includes Vanda, Aerides, Angrae- 
 cum, Saccolabium, Aeranthus, and Vanilla; two contain the 
 " Sympodial" Orchids, in which each axis is definite, i.e., the 
 stems finish their growth each season, and after the period of 
 rest fresh growth is produced from the side of the base of the 
 proceeding year's stem or pseudo-bulb. To this belongs the 
 great bulk of the exotic Orchids, of which only Dendrobium, 
 Oncidium, Odontoglossum, Epidendrum, Masdevallia, and 
 Cattleya need be named. These two large groups are sub- 
 divided into a number of small ones, the characters of which are 
 founded upon the development of the leaves in the bud, and a 
 variety of peculiarities possessed by them, the stems, and the 
 pseudo-bulbs. The Author admits that the scheme is not com- 
 plete, but it is important, as in the classification of Orchids 
 almost exclusive attention had hitherto been given to the floral 
 organs. 
 
 THE PSEUDO-BULB. To the swollen base of the stem, which 
 in many orchids assumes an ovoid form a few inches high, and in 
 others becomes cylindrical and stem-like several feet in length, 
 the name pseudo-bulb is given, and though very different in 
 appearance, it is practically a tuber above ground, and appears to 
 serve in a similar w?y as a store house of nutriment, to be sub- 
 sequently used by the plant. All growers thoroughly understand 
 this, and know that unless large, well-ripened pseudo-bulbs are 
 obtained, good flowers cannot be expected, and as the former 
 improve year by year, so do the flowers advance and their strength 
 increase. In the case of imported plants, such as the Odontoglos- 
 sums, the pseudo-bulbs produced each year will often, under good 
 culture, become considerably larger than that formed in its native 
 country, and it is then the magnificent racemes are produced 
 which are occasionally seen at exhibitions. Some Oncidiums 
 and Epidendrums produce a kind of stem, and the pseudo-bulbs 
 are formed along this, giving the plant a very curious appearance. 
 In the Dendrobiums the pseudo-bulb becomes quite stem-like, 
 either erect or drooping, cylindrical and several feet long, bearing 
 the flowers at the nodes over the whole length. In most of the 
 others the growth of one season forms the bulb of the following 
 one, producing its flowers from the top or base: One remark- 
 able pseudo-bulb deserves special notice, namely, that of the 
 Trumpet or Cow-horn Orchid, Schomburgkia Tibicinis, which 
 attains the length of about two feet in its native home of Hon- 
 duras, is hollow inside, and somewhat conical in form. These 
 
FIG. 3 ORCHID FLOWERS. 
 
 1. Oncidium raniferum (Frog Orchid). 
 
 2. Peristeria elata (Spirito Santo of Panama). 
 
 3. Prescottia colorans. 4. Gongora fulva. 
 
 5. Cirrhsea tristis. 6. Cycnoches ventricosum (Swan OrchidL 
 7. Oncidium pulvinatum. 8. Bolbophyllum barbigerum. 
 9. Catasetum viride. 10. Peristeria cerina. 
 
14 
 
 are used as horns by the natives, and are said to form a favourite 
 plaything for the children. At the base of the pseudo-bulbs is a 
 small hole, and taking advantage of this entrance, the large and 
 ferocious ants of the district make it their home, swarming out in 
 thousands when disturbed. 
 
 LEAVES. With the exception of one beautiful group, there is 
 nothing of an especially remarkable character in the leaves of 
 orchids ; they are usually narrow and strap-like (Odontoglossum), 
 elliptical or oblong (Cattleya), with many intermediate forms, and 
 they vary greatly in the firmness of their substance, some being 
 almost as hard as leather, as in the last named genus, while 
 others are as soft as velvet, and of a most delicate texture. They 
 usually clasp the stem at their base, and have not a distinctly 
 marked stalk and blade as in the leaves of Dicotyledonous plants. 
 The exceptional group referred to comprises those exquisite gems, 
 the Anaectochilus and Goodyera, which in delicacy and beauty 
 of leaf colouration cannot be equalled in the whole vegetable world. 
 They are samples of Nature's most artistic work, and would excite 
 the admiration of all who can appreciate beauty of form or 
 colouring. The leaves are velvet-like in appearance, and have a 
 ground tint of light or dark green, ranging to deep bronze, and 
 upon this is traced an elegant network of silver or gold veins, 
 which contrasts charmingly with the rich ground colour. Anaec- 
 tochilus Lowii (also known as Dossinia or Macodes marmorata), 
 is a perfect gem, the rich green and bronze leaves being finely 
 veined with gold, and several others are scarcely less charming. 
 In some of the Phalaenopses, particularly in P. Schilleriana, the 
 foliage is also handsomely marbled, and the same occurs in the 
 Cypripediums, C. Hookerae and others being distinctly and beau- 
 tifully variegated, while in Phaius maculatus we have a green 
 leaf boldly spotted with white or yellow. 
 
 ORCHID FLOWERS. 
 
 IN Nature's laboratory many wonderful transmutations are 
 effected, beside which the supposed powers of the Philosopher's 
 Stone are insignificant, and the most fertile imagination could not 
 conceive anything more marvellous than is taking place around 
 us every day unnoticed. Who, for instance, that thoughtfully 
 observes the surprising beauty and curious structure of a Moth 
 Orchid (Phalaenopsis), growing probably upon a block of wood, 
 and gaining all its support from the moisture in the air or the 
 wood, can help wondering at the power which transforms such 
 
15 
 
 meagre fare into broad substantial leaves and handsome flowers. 
 Truly this is natural magic. All the orchids are most delicate 
 and temperate in their fare. They are the Blue Ribbonists of the 
 plant world, and seem, except in a few instances, to have little 
 inclination for " stimulants " of an ammoniacal character. Yet 
 what a diversity of floral forms is produced ! What numbers of 
 brilliant colours, and what delicate but durable structures ! From 
 a barrowful of peat and charcoal, and a few gallons of water, we 
 obtain through the medium of these plants a wealth of glorious 
 blossoms the rich gold and purple Dendrobes, the bright yellow 
 Oncidiums, the gorgeous crimson Cattleyas, and the delicate, pure 
 and wax-like Odontoglossums. It is remarkable, too, that the 
 epiphytal orchids, which are most refined in their food demands, 
 also produce the most handsome flowers. 
 
 One of the characters which especially impresses a student of 
 the great orchid family is the surprising range of floral variation, 
 yet within such definite limits that an orchid flower is usually 
 easily recognised. In the majority we find three outer divisions 
 the sepals and within these three other divisions alternate 
 with the sepals, two the petals being more or less similar to 
 them in form, though frequently differing in colour, while the 
 lower one (in a few cases this is uppermost) the labellum or lip 
 is strangely metamorphosed, sometimes excessively large, at 
 others very small, of the most peculiar forms, mimicking insects 
 and birds, or extraordinarily and indescribably grotesque. It is 
 this which gives the prevailing character to orchid flowers, and it 
 is so important an organ that it must be referred to at greater 
 length in another paragraph. In the centre of the flower we find 
 no stamens or pistil, such as we are familiar with in other flowers, 
 but a compound body, the Column (gynostegium), which faces 
 the labellum, and bears on that surface a hollow glutinous cavity 
 the stigma and has at the summit a box-like depression, 
 covered with a lid, the anther-case (clinandrium), in -which are 
 situated the Pollen-masses (pollinia), consisting of grains of 
 pollen, connected into various forms by a web-like or glutinous 
 substance. Beneath the flower is the ovary, termed from its 
 position inferior, and this, when cut across, is found to be one- 
 celled, with three rows of seeds extending down the inner surface 
 of the walls. They are mostly very minute, very numerous, and 
 covered with a loose skin (testa). 
 
 These are the prevailing characters of the family. There are, 
 however, some exceptional cases, and some details which will be 
 referred to presently. For instance, an orchid flower is usually 
 very irregular,, owing to the development of the labellum ; yet in 
 a few genera, as the Thelymitra, Hexisea, and Paxtonia, the parts 
 of the flowers are nearly all equal, as is shown in Fig. 4, which 
 represents a flower of Paxtonia rosea. 
 
i6 
 
 In this the lip is the same size as the petals and sepals, and 
 could scarcely be thought to be the same organ as the lip in the 
 Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium). Through these regular-flowered 
 Orchids Lindley traced the relationship to the Iris family, 
 especially to Sisyrinchium ; and we obtain a chain of forms, 
 varying in the modification their flowers have undergone, from 
 these to the strangest and most mechanical flowers imaginable. 
 
 FIG. 4. PAXTONIA ROSEA. 
 
 The colours also differ considerably ; yellows are very abundant ; 
 orange and scarlet are well represented ; crimsons and purples 
 numerous ; white flowered Orchids are not very common, and 
 blue is particularly scarce in the family, only a few examples, 
 as Vandas ccerulea and ccerulescens and Herschelia ccelestis 
 occurring, to which perhaps Oncidium Phalaenopsis may be 
 added. There is, however, a large number of dingy, dull in- 
 describable hues, and that very rare colour in flowers, green, is 
 found in many orchids, some of our British species affording 
 good examples of this. Almost every graduation is represented 
 from the most brilliant to the dullest and most displeasing tints, 
 and their effect is often still farther increased by curious 
 contrasts in the same flowers, the colouring being disposed in 
 blocks, bars, or spots, of diverse sizes. 
 
 A similar variability is observable in the odours of the flowers, 
 from some of the sweetest perfumes and most exquisite frag- 
 rances to fetid and disgusting odours similar to the carrion 
 flowers (Stapelias). Some are spice-like in their fragrance, and 
 nearly every Orchid flower seems to possess a scent resembling 
 something else. Thus we have a primrose-like perfume in the 
 graceful Laelia albida ; the charming odour of the musk it 
 
reproduced in Dendrobium moschatum ; ot wallflowers in 
 Acropera Loddigesii; of Cinnamon in Maxillaria aromatica; and 
 of violets in Maxillaria atropurpurea ; while that of the well 
 known Oncidium ornithorynchum is suggestive of new mown 
 hay. The flowers of Dendrobium " macrophyllum possess an 
 odour closely resembling officinal Rhubarb, and Stanhopea 
 grandiflora has a powerful and peculiar odour which has been 
 compared to a " chemist's shop." Many of the Angraecums, the 
 
 FIG. 5. DENDROBIUM BRYMERIANUM. 
 
 Aerides, and other tropical Orchids have exquisitely perfumed 
 flowers, and the charming Dendrochilum glumaceum is most 
 powerfully scented, a small plant bearing a few spikes of flowers 
 filling a large house with its fragrance. The intensity and the 
 character of the odours of some Orchids vary at different periods 
 of the day, and this is especially notable in some of our British 
 species and the well-known Dendrobium nobile, the flowers of 
 
i8 
 
 the last named having a most agreeable perfume in the morning, 
 but less pleasant towards evening. 
 
 The flowers are borne in spikes, racemes, or panicles, and are 
 sometimes produced singly on a stem, arising from the roots or 
 pseudo-bulb. In the spike the flowers are disposed along a main 
 stalk, and have no secondary support ; in the racemes, the flowers 
 are furnished with small stalks (pedicels), and the panicle is 
 simply a branched raceme. Phalaenopsis Luddemanniana and 
 a few others produce young plants upon their flower stems, which 
 may be separated and grown like the parents. Owing to the wax- 
 like substance of many flowers, they last an extremely long time, 
 and Lycaste Skinneri is remarkable in this respect, for plants 
 have been had in flower for three or four months. Cypripedium 
 insigne also lasts for a considerable time, and flowers when cut 
 from the plant will continue fresh for three weeks or more in an 
 ordinary room. Cymbidium Lowianum similarly affords an extra- 
 ordinary instance of durability, for a fine specimen in Mr. Cobb's 
 garden, Silverdale Lodge, Sydenham, in 1883, opened its flowers 
 on December 26th, and the same plant was shown in excellent 
 condition at the Royal Botanic Society's Show, June i8th, 1884. 
 
 Referring to the parts of the flowers more in detail, the sepals 
 and petals first require a few words of description. In most cases 
 these are alike, and in some, as in Oncidium tigrinum (Fig. 10), 
 they are quite similar in form, colour, and markings. In other 
 instances they are more or less dissimilar, as in the Cypripedium 
 (Fig. i). In that, it will be seen there is a broad uppermost 
 organ termed the dorsal sepal, and behind the lip is seen what is 
 apparently another of a like character; upon examination, how- 
 ever, it will be found that this is really composed of two sepals united 
 by their inner margins, and a similar combination is observed in 
 other orchids. The petals in the Cypripedium are disposed upon 
 each side of the lip, and this is their usual position, but in a few 
 genera, both these and the lips are hidden within the sepals, as 
 in some forms of Masdevallia (Fig. n), or are so small as to be 
 unnoticeable. In one curious orchid, Cryptostylis sanguinea, the 
 sepals form a close tube with the points slightly recurved. 
 
 In Cypripedium caudatum a peculiar character is observed ; 
 the petals, which at the opening of the flowers are small, grad- 
 ually lengthen until they are sometimes more than two feet long, 
 and pendulous, like narrow ribbons. This was first observed by 
 Mrs. Lawrence, who examined the flowers carefully, each day 
 measuring the petals as they grew, with the following result : 
 when the flower opened they were fin. long, on the second day 
 they grew 3fin., on the third day, 4in., on the fourth day, 4^in., 
 and on the fifth day, S^in., the total length attained in four days 
 being thus lyfin. In Cypripedium caricinum and Uropedium 
 Lindeni a somewhat similar growth has been also observed. The 
 
19 
 
 functions of the sepals and petals are undoubtedly chiefly pro- 
 tective, preserving the essential organs from injury, but in some 
 species they also serve as attractions to insects that assist in the 
 fertilisation. 
 
 THE LABELLUM. 
 
 To describe the various forms which this organ assumes would 
 alone require a volume, for not only do the genera differ widely 
 in the lip character, but even the species in one genus are found 
 with such different formations that they often appear totally dis- 
 tinct from their nearest relatives. The simplest form is that of 
 Paxtonia rosea, already noticed, and, starting from that, we get 
 innumerable variations, gradually advancing in peculiarity of 
 structure, in every conceivable direction. Dendrobium Bry- 
 merianum (Fig, 5) affords an instance of a most strangely divided 
 lip, the substance very deeply cut into fine segments, giving a 
 broad fringe of twisted filaments of a most striking appearance. 
 Oncidium tigrinum (Fig. 10) has a large but simple lip, while in 
 Cypripedium the lip is curiously infolded into a slipper-like form, 
 presenting a wide contrast with the preceding. Frequently the 
 lip is partly divided into three lobes a large central one, and 
 two smaller ones at the side or by contraction it appears to be 
 composed of three distinct parts, the lower termed the hypo- 
 chilium, the middle the mesochilium, and the upper one the 
 epichilium, which are sometimes shortened in descriptions to 
 hypochil, &c. Several curious forms of lips are shown in Fig. 3. 
 Thus Prescottia colorans and Catasetum viride, as in several 
 other species, have the labellum shaped like hoods. Oncidium 
 raniferum has it formed like a frog, and in Ophrys muscifera, 
 O. apifera, with O. aranifera, the lip bears some resemblance to 
 the fly, a bee, and a spider respectively. 
 
 Seores of equally strange formations could be named, but there 
 is another respect in which the lip of Orchids is remarkable, 
 namely, its irritability, which appears to be one of the many 
 contrivances to effect cross fertilisation. The genera Megac- 
 linium, Bolbophyllum, Pterostylis and Caleana yield several 
 examples of this phenomenon. Caleana nigrita has been thus 
 described: "The column is a boat-shaped box resembling a 
 lower lip, the labellum forms a lid that exactly fits it, and is 
 hinged on a claw, which reaches the middle of the column. 
 When the flower opens the labellum turns round and falls back, 
 so that the flower being inverted, it stands fairly over the column. 
 The moment a small insect touches its point, the labellum makes 
 a sudden revolution, brings the point to the bottom of the column, 
 passing the anther on its way, and thus makes prisoner any 
 insect which the box will hold. When it catches an insect it 
 remains shut while its prey continues to move about, but if no 
 capture is made, the lid soon recovers its position." The lip of 
 
20 
 
 Bolbophyllum barbigerum (Fig. 3) is remarkably interesting, and 
 has been described by Dr. Lindley as follows : " The lip is oneoi 
 the most extraordinary organs known, even amongst orchidaceous 
 plants. It is a long, narrow, flexuose, sharp-pointed body, closely 
 covered with a yellow felt ; just within its point is a deep purple 
 beard of exceedingly fine hairs ; on the under side, at a little dis- 
 tance from the point of the lip, is another such beard ; and 
 besides these there is, at the end of the lip, a brush, consisting of 
 very long purple threads, so exceedingly delicate that the slightest 
 disturbance of the air sets them in motion, when they wave 
 gently to and fro, like a tuft of threads cut from a spider's web. 
 Some are of the same thickness throughout, others terminate in 
 an oblong club, so that when the hairs are waving in the air (and 
 I do not know that they are ever entirely at rest) a part floats 
 gracefully and slowly, while others are compelled by the weight 
 of the glandular extremities to a more rapid oscillation. Nor is 
 this all. The lip itself is articulated with the column by such a 
 very slight joint that to breathe upon it is sufficient to produce a 
 rocking movement so conspicuous and protracted that one is 
 really tempted to believe that there must be something of ar. 
 animal nature infused into this most unplant-like production." 
 Megaclinium falcatum and M. maximum have curiously rolled- 
 up lips, which oscillate in front of the column, but the movement 
 is more marked in the former of the two species. In the southern 
 genus Pterostylis, several species, such as P. longifolia, have 
 sensitive labellums, which, when touched by an insect, spring up 
 to the column, temporarily imprisoning the visitor, and com- 
 pelling it, in effecting its escape, to carry off the pollinia. These 
 contrivances are all connected with the fertilisation of the flower, 
 and in addition to the colours, fragrances, and various mechanical 
 attractions, an inducement is offered to many insects in certain 
 projections upon the labellum. These, insects, chiefly bees, have 
 been seen to gnaw in some species of Catasetum, Gongora, Cory- 
 anthes, and Oncidium, while no doubt many others offer a 
 similar temptation to various insects. These projections are 
 occasionally very prominent, and, as seen in Zygopetalum 
 maxillare, resemble the jaws of some animals, while in Phalaenopsis 
 grandiflora it has been compared to an anvil. The lip is often 
 hinged to the base of the column, swinging up and down at the 
 slightest touch, as seen in the Masdevallias, some of the Bate- 
 mannias, and others. 
 
 The colouring upon the labellum is frequently disposed in lines 
 DF bands, which seem to serve as a means of directing insects to 
 the column, and the lip is, in the majority of cases, so placed that 
 it is a most convenient landing-stage for any that are disposed to 
 visit the flowers, and whatever its form or appearance the attrac- 
 tion of these creatures is evidently its chief function. To aid in 
 
21 
 
 this purpose the lip is commonly in the front of the flower, 
 directed downwards and outwards, which position is caused by a 
 remarkable twisting of the ovary at the time the flower is opening. 
 It is thus turned half round, and the lip, which should occupy the 
 back and uppermost part of the flower, becomes the lowest a 
 very remarkable arrangement, when it is considered in conjunc- 
 tion with the many other marvellous adaptations of the lip to 
 favour insect visitors. Malaxis paludosa is an extraordinary 
 exception ; for in this the flower is twisted wholly round, and the 
 lip thus assumes its normal position. In some other exceptions 
 the lip is uppermost, as in Disa grandiflora and certain of the 
 Angraecums, particularly A. eburneum. 
 
 The lip is often prolonged at the base into a spur or nectary of 
 various lengths, from slight depressions, as seen in the Dendro- 
 biums and others, to the wonderful Madagascar orchid, Angrascum 
 sesquipedale, with a spur frequently exceeding a foot in length. 
 So commonly does the nectary of orchids appear to offer tempta- 
 tions to insects, that Mr. Darwin ventured to suggest the probability 
 some moth, or similar creature, being concerned in its fertili- 
 sation, and possessing for the purpose a proboscis of sufficient 
 length to reach the nectar at the lower part of the spur. As no 
 insect was known at the time with a trunk of such length, the 
 opinion was received rather incredulously, but since it first ap- 
 peared a moth has been found in Brazil with a proboscis over loin, 
 long, so that it does not now appear so unlikely to be correct. Nectai 
 is secreted in considerable quantities by some orchids, but, in re- 
 ferring to this matter, this author just named has observed that, 
 " Although the secretion of nectar is of the highest importance 
 to orchids by attracting insects, which are indispensable to the 
 fertilisation of most of the species, yet good reasons can be 
 assigned for the belief that nectar was aboriginally an excretion 
 for the sake of getting rid of superfluous matter during the 
 chemical changes which go on in the tissues of plants, especially 
 whilst the sun shines." The reason assigned is the production 
 of nectar by parts of the flower which have no influence upon the 
 fertilisation. 
 
 THE COLUMN AND POLLEN MASSES, 
 
 As already remarked, the column in orchids is a very peculiar 
 organ, and well deserves the attention of all who are interested in 
 the wonderful structure of the vegetable kingdom. It is a com- 
 bination of stamens and pistil, quite distinct from what occurs in 
 any other family of plants, though an approximation to it is seen 
 in the Birthwort, Aristolochia Clematitis, but in that the anthers, 
 with their pollen, are of the usual character, and are equally dis- 
 posed round the top of the column. In the orchids the column is 
 a more or less fleshy body, from very minute proportions to 
 
22 
 
 several inches in length, generally channelled on its front surface, 
 and occasionally furnished with projecting wings at the sides, or 
 with peculiar sensitive antennae, of which an extraordinary 
 example occurs in Catasetum saccatum, so ably described by 
 Mr. C. Darwin. Near the top of the column the stigma is usually 
 found, a depression in the surface of varying depth, and containing 
 
 FIG. 6. 
 
 Section and lateral view of Cattleya flower, with all the sepals and petals 
 removed, except the bisected labellum shown only in outline, a, anther ; 
 b t spring at the top of the column ; p, pollen-masses ; r, rostellum ; s, 
 stigma ; col, column ; /, labellum ; n, nectary ; y, ovary. 
 
 a viscid matter, which serves to retain the pollen masses when 
 deposited upon it. At the summit in most orchids is the anther 
 case (clinandrium), which is commonly 2-celled, but occasionally 
 4-celled, or with only one. This contains the pollen, which is 
 agglomerated into small masses, varying in number from 2 to 8, 
 globular, elliptical, or club-shaped, and with or without a stalk 
 
23 
 
 (caudicle), whicn sometimes terminates in a small flat circular 
 plate, termed the viscid disc, near a small projection in the front 
 of the column and the base of the anther-cell termed the rostellum, 
 or little beak. All these parts are well shown in Fig. 6., repre- 
 senting a section of a Cattleya column. To this normal arrange- 
 ment there is a curious exception in the genus Cypripedium, 
 where the part usually occupied by the anther case is transformed 
 into a shield-like plate, the staminode (see Fig. i), and the true 
 anthers, of which there are two, one on each side of this, and 
 
 FIG. 7. 
 
 Side view of Orchis mascula flower, with all the petals and sepals cut ofFexcep' 
 the labellum, of which the near half is cut away, as well as the uppei 
 portion of the near side of the nectary, a, anther, consisting of two cells , 
 r t rostellum ; s, stigma ; /, labellum ; n, nectary. 
 
 partly covered by it, the stigma being beneath the staminode. In 
 some orchids the pollinia is in wax-like masses, as already noted. 
 .In others it is powdery, but this character is employed in the 
 classification to be referred to later on. In the production of 
 waxy masses of pollen the orchids are not alone, for the milk- 
 weeds (Asclepias) have their pollen in very similar form. The 
 general structure of the column and position of the parts will be 
 readily understood from an inspection of the two sections (figs. 
 6-7) from Mr. Darwin's " Fertilisation of Orchids," which Mr. John 
 
24 
 
 Murray has kindly given me permission to use). In Fig. 6 it will 
 be noticed that the pollinia are also shown separately. 
 
 OVARY FRUIT SEEDS. 
 
 The ovary or seed vessel is, in the majority of orchids, one- 
 celled, with three rows of seeds on the inner surface of the walls ; 
 in a few genera, however, as in the Selenipedium section of the 
 Ladies' Slipper, Cypripedium caudatum, C. caricinum, &c., the 
 ovary is three-celled, thus approaching a group of plants, the 
 Apostasias, which were formerly separated from the Orchids as a 
 natural order, but are now united with them by the leading 
 botanists. The fruit frequently takes a considerable time to 
 arrive at maturity, some months, or even a year, and when 
 thoroughly ripe often splits into three divisions. It is sometimes 
 very fragrant and edible as in the Vanilla. The seeds are very 
 minute, and are produced in extraordinary numbers, and some 
 very interesting calculations have been made respecting them by 
 Mr. C. Darwin and others. Thus, a single capsule of Cephalan- 
 thera grandiflora has been found to contain 6,020 seeds, and one of 
 Orchis maculata had 6,200, or 186,300 upon a plant. A single 
 plant of Acropera has been estimated to produce 74 millions of 
 S2eds, and a Maxillaria has been stated to contain nearly two 
 millions of seeds in one capsule. Allowing 400 bad seeds in 
 each capsule of Orchis maculata, Mr. Darwin has estimated 
 " the possible rate of increase of this species is such that the great 
 grandchildren of a single plant would nearly clothe with one 
 uniform green carpet the entire surface of the land throughout 
 the globe." The seeds are covered with a loose, sometimes 
 net.ed coat, and often appear very beautiful under a microscope. 
 They are in many species a great time in germinating, and a 
 year or 18 months sometimes elapses before the young plants can 
 be seen', and then their growth is very slow for several succeeding 
 years, so that it is not an uncommon thing to have to wait five 
 to eight years before flowers are produced. This, however, 
 specially refers to the exotic orchids cultivated under glass, as 
 some germinate and flower much more quickly. 
 
ORCHID MYSTERIES. 
 
 PERHAPS in no members of the vegetable kingdom is the 
 remarkable phenomenon of heteromorphism, or the production of 
 diversely formed flowers upon the same plant, more distinctly 
 exhibited than in the two peculiar and interesting genera of 
 Orchids, Catasetum and Cycnoches. Observers have from time 
 to time recorded the appearance in some species (chiefly 
 Catasetums) of certain strange departures from the typical 
 structure of the floral organs accompanied by the normal flowers 
 of the species and several intermediate forms, all of which were 
 in some instances borne upon the same inflorescence. The first 
 who recorded one of these extraordinary occurrences was Sir R. 
 Schomburgk, who contributed to the Linnean Society a paper 
 describing an orchid he had found in Demerara, which bore on 
 one spike flowers of what had been supposed to be three distinct 
 genera, viz., Catasetum, Monachanthus, and Myanthus. He 
 farther observed that although the Catasetum produced seeds 
 freely, the Monachanthus was uniformly sterile. This account 
 was published in the Linnean Society's Transactions (vol. xvii.) 
 and attracted the attention of botanists and naturalists generally, 
 but from its singularity was received by many somewhat in- 
 credulously. However, in November, 1836, a plant of Myanthus 
 cristatus in the garden of the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth, 
 also produced flowers of Monachanthus and Catasetum, similar to 
 the plant described by Sir R. Schomburgk. This specimen was 
 figured in the Botanical Register (vol. xxiii.) and proved beyond 
 all doubt the correctness of what had been previously written 
 concerning the variability of the flowers. Dr. Lindley, in com- 
 menting upon the plant, mentions how he first assigned these 
 forms to three genera, distinguishing Myanthus from Catasetum 
 by the deeply fringed or crested labellum, and Monachanthus 
 from both the others by the absence of cirrhi or feelers from the 
 column, and he further remarks in extenuation of this decision, 
 " Nor do I think that as a botanist I could be blamed for these 
 errors, the genera being founded upon characters which no one 
 could, a priori, have suspected could pass into each other in the 
 manner that has now been seen." Many other similar specimens 
 have since been noted, and the two pseudo-genera Monachanthus 
 and Myanthus are now merged in Catasetum. 
 
 The other heteromorphic genus, Cycnoches, is similar in habit 
 
26 
 
 to Catasetum, its most marked characteristic being the long, 
 slender, and gracefully arched column which suggested the name, 
 Cycnoch.es, signifying " swan-neck." Only two forms of flowers 
 have been observed to occur on single plants of this genus, and 
 these are usually borne upon two distinct racemes produced from 
 opposite sides of the stem. In 1836 Dr. Lindley received from a 
 gentleman in Birmingham a specimen of a Cycnoches which 
 differed from the species then known, C. Loddigesii, in having a 
 column dilated and hooded at the apex and in being quite devoid 
 of scent. This he considered a distinct species, and accordingly 
 named it C. cucullata, but very shortly afterwards he observed 
 in the garden of the Royal Horticultural Society a plant bearing 
 two racemes, "on one were the fragrant flowers of C. Loddigesii, 
 and on the other the scentless flowers of C. cucullata." 
 
 Well indeed might the same author observe in the " Vegetable 
 Kingdom," " Such cases shake to the foundation our ideas of the 
 stability of genera and species, and prepare the mind for more 
 startling discoveries than could have been otherwise anticipated." 
 
 Since that time about six or seven so-called species have been 
 introduced from tropical America, in many of which a similar 
 tendency to produce distinct forms of flowers on the same plant 
 has been noticed, and it is thus extremely difficult to define 
 the specific characters. Cycnoches Warscewiczii is one of the 
 more recent introductions, and a specimen exhibited at one of 
 the Royal Horticultural Society's meetings a few years ago 
 showed the dimorphic character extremely well. On one side of 
 the plant was a long drooping raceme of numerous small, dull 
 yellow flowers, with reflexed sepals and petals, a peculiar fringed 
 labellum supported on a stalk, and a slender arching column. 
 Just above, upon the opposite side of the stem, was a short 
 raceme of perhaps half-a-dozen flowers, considerably larger in 
 size, of a greenish hue, and broad flat sepals and petals, a short 
 thick column and a somewhat heart-shaped labellum. It appears 
 probable that in this case the large flower (Fig. 8) is the seed- 
 bearing form ; for the other (Fig. 9) although it produces pollinia, 
 seems imperfect in the ovary, and thus the different structures 
 have some bearing upon the phenomenon of fertilisation, an ap- 
 proximation to the monoecious type. It is a curious fact that while 
 the three species C. ventricosum, C. Loddigesii and heterochilon 
 have flowers similar to the large form of C. Warscewiczii C. 
 pentadactylon, C. aureum, C. maculatum and C. Egertonianum 
 bear flowers resembling the small form with a fringed stalked 
 labellum. 
 
 Vanda, or Renanthera Lowii, is also peculiar in this respect. It 
 produces several slender pendulous racemes 6 or 8 feet long, the 
 majority of the flowers being of a reddish colour, veined with 
 yellow, but near the base of the inflorescence are two flowers 
 
FIG. 8. LARGE FLOWER OF CYCNOCHES WARSCEWICZII. 
 
 FIG. o. SMALL FLOWER OF CYCNOCHES WARSCEWICZII. 
 
23 
 
 Suite different in nue, being yellow spotted with crimson. This 
 as probably some bearing upon the fertilisation, but the re- 
 spective functions of the two sets of flowers have not. I believe, 
 oeen determined. 
 
 MIMICRY IN ORCHIDS. 
 
 SEVERAL instances of mimicry have been given in the foregoing 
 notes, but hundreds of others might be named ; a few of the most 
 distinct will, however, suffice. Many of our British Orchids 
 possess flowers which are very suggestive of insects, as the Fly, 
 Bee, and Spider Orchids, Ophrys muscifera, apifera, and 
 aranifera ; others again resemble animals, such as the Frog 
 Orchid, Peristylis viridis, Orchis Macra, the Monkey Orchid 
 O. Hircina, the Lizard Orchid, and others, which in some degree 
 resemble various creatures. Amongst the exotic Orchids the 
 mimicry is still more striking, as in the Dove plant,. Peristeria 
 elata, Spirito Santo of Panama (see Fig. 4), the flower of which, 
 viewed in front, is much like a Dove about to alight. 
 
 The celebrated Butterfly Orchid, Oncidium Papilio, is also very 
 remarkable, and its extraordinary flowers are said to have 
 attracted the Duke of Devonshire's attention so strongly at one 
 of the London Horticultural Society's Meetings many years ago 
 that it induced him to give his attention to Orchids, and led to 
 the formation of the noted Chatsworth collection. Wings, head, 
 and antennae are strangely imitated, the resemblance to a Butter- 
 fly when first seen being almost startling. In Cycnoches ventri- 
 cosum (Fig. 3) the column is slender and elegantly curved, the lip 
 seeming to represent the body, and the petals the wings of a 
 swan. An extraordinary species, the Toad Orchid, Megaclinium 
 Bufo, has been thus graphically described. " Let the reader 
 imagine a green snake to be pressed flat like a dried flower, and 
 then to have a row of toads, or some such speckled reptiles, drawn 
 up the middle in single file, their backs set up, their forelegs 
 sprawling right and left, and their mouths wide open with a large 
 purple tongue wagging about convulsively ; and a pretty con- 
 siderable approach will be gained to an idea of this strange 
 plant, which, if Pythagoras had but known about it, would have 
 rendered all arguments about the transmigration of souls super- 
 fluous." 
 
FERTILISATION. 
 
 To effect the fertilisation of the flower, and the production ol 
 seeds which are to perpetuate the plant, it is necessary that the 
 pollinia be conveyed to the stigma, and as in the majority ol 
 cases these organs are so placed relatively that it cannot be 
 accomplished without foreign aid, we perceived a reason for the 
 numerous elaborate contrivances that compel or induce insects tc 
 afford the requisite assistance. It has, however, been observed 
 that in some species, like Ophrys apifera, self-fertilisation is 
 commonly effected, owing to the pollen masses partly falling out 
 of the anther case, and hanging in front of the stigma, against 
 which the slightest wind blows them. On the other hand, it 
 would require a large volume to describe the multitudinous plans 
 by which the conveyance of pollen masses from one flower to 
 another is provided for, examples of which can be found in plenty 
 of our wild orchids. These and similar flowers are ably described 
 in Mr. Darwin's celebrated work on Orchids, and cannot be 
 referred to here, as without full description their action could not 
 in most cases be rendered clear. One extraordinary example may, 
 however, be given in Coryanthes macrantha. In this and others 
 of the genus the lip is formed like a " bucket," one portion of 
 which secretes a fluid that falls into the lip and remains there 
 until evaporated, or it sometimes fills the " bucket " and over- 
 flows by a spout. C. macrantha has projections upon the lip, 
 which tempt bees to gnaw them ; and Dr. Cruger has observed 
 that " the bees may be seen in great numbers, disputing with each 
 other for a place on the edge of the hypochil. Partly by this 
 contest, partly perhaps intoxicated by the matter they are in- 
 dulging in, they tumble into the " bucket " half full of fluid ; they 
 then crawl along in the water towards the anterior side of the 
 " bucket," where there is a passage for them between the opening 
 of this and the column. If one is early on the look out, as these 
 bees are early risers, one can see in every flower how fecund- 
 ation is performed. The humble bee in forcing its way out of its 
 involuntary bath has to exert itself considerably, as the mouth 
 of the epichil and the face of the column fit together exactly, and 
 are very stiff and elastic. The first bee, then, which is immersed 
 will have the gland of the pollen mass glued to its back." It 
 passes out with this, and perhaps enters the same or another 
 flower, when the pollen masses are placed directly upon the stigma 
 
30 
 
 in coming out as before. After the pollen masses are deposited 
 upon the stigma of an orchid, minute tubes are emitted as in 
 ordinary pollen, these passing down the tissue of the column to 
 the ovary, where they fertilise the ovules. It is strange, however, 
 that in some orchids, several days, weeks, or months are required 
 for the tubes to perform this journey, although the distance is 
 much shorter than in numbers of other flowering plants. Sachs, 
 too, has remarked that " the embryo remains until the seed is ripe 
 as a small round body, consisting of only a few cells, without any 
 external differentiation into stems, leaves, and root ; this only 
 takes place after germination, and even then sometimes quite 
 imperfectly." To insure the fertilisation of the ovules, a large 
 number of pollen tubes enter the ovary, and occasionally they can 
 be there seen by the naked eye, like a number of fine white hairs. 
 When fertilisation is effected, the flowers at once commence 
 fading, and it is curious to see flowers, that would perhaps have 
 lasted for several weeks, show signs of decay in a few hours after 
 the pollen is placed on the stigma. 
 
 THE THEORY OF ORCHID 
 STRUCTURE. 
 
 A FEW words only need be given upon this, but they will perhaps 
 serve to render the strange formation of orchid flowers more 
 readily understood. Tracing the origin of abnormal structures, 
 or their resemblance to the normally formed organs, is termed 
 Homology, and applying this to the orchids, the following results 
 have been obtained, which are now generally accepted, though 
 many different views had been held previous to Darwin's time. 
 The column of an orchid flower is theoretically regarded as com- 
 posed of four stamens and three pistils, two other stamens being 
 combined with the lip, and thus explaining its occasional three 
 lobed form. The stamens are considered to be in two rings, the 
 uppermost of the outer ring being that usually fertile, and the 
 upper two of the inner ring are those seen in Cypripedium, while 
 the lower two of the outer ring are those united with the lip ; the 
 two outer of the stigmas are united, and the upper one forms the 
 rostellum. Comparisons with the flowers of allied plants, and 
 tracing the bundles of spiral cells from the stem, have formed the 
 foundation of this view. 
 
3 1 
 
 By what means such changes have been effected and such 
 remarkable structures produced we cannot tell. Evolution 
 would teach us that if all the lost forms were present a gradua- 
 tion could be traced to one primitive form ; that by the " survival 
 of the fittest" there has been a continual advance in complexity 
 of structure, and as Sachs observes, " A few million years, more 
 or less, is a matter of but little consequence in the explanation 
 of facts which require lapse of time in order to reach a given 
 magnitude." Still the difficulties are innumerable, and it is 
 impossible to understand upon the evolution theory alone why 
 the changes that have taken place should have resulted in such 
 astonishingly diverse contrivances for effecting the particular 
 purpose of cross-fertilisation, for to this the majority tend. The 
 advantages derived from cross-fertilisation have been ably de- 
 scribed, in the struggle for life the plants thus obtained seeming 
 usually to possess greater strength than those from self-fertilised 
 parents ; yet there are numbers of Orchids in which the adaptation 
 seems directly in favour of self- fertilisation, and some are apparently 
 planned for both methods. In the majority of cases, however, 
 there is a manifest adaptation of the various organs to a 
 particular purpose, and had the estimable Dr. Paley been 
 familiar with the wonderful structure of Orchids, when he wrote 
 his celebrated " Natural Theology," he would unquestionably 
 have derived from them a powerful addition to his argument of 
 design. 
 
 CLASSIFICATION. 
 
 Founded chiefly upon the characters of the Pollen-masses, Dr. 
 Lindley formed a system of classifying Orchids, that may be 
 briefly summarised as follows : 
 
 Pollen-masses, waxy. 
 Malaxideas, no caudicle. 
 
 Epidendreae, one or two caudicles, but no gland. 
 Vandeae, one or two caudicles, attached gland. 
 
 Pollen -masses, granular or powdery. 
 Ophrydeae, anther adnate to the top of the column. 
 Arethuseae, anther operculate over the rostellum. 
 Neottieas, anther erect, behind the rostellum. 
 
 Abnormal tribes 
 Cypripedieae, anthers 2. 
 Apostasieae, anthers 2 or 3, Ovary 3-celled. 
 
 This has been generally accepted, but the latest system is 
 
32 
 
 Mr. Bentham's modification of Lindley's, in which the Maiaxideas 
 are incorporated with the Epidendreas, the Arethuseae with the 
 Neottieas, and the Apostasieas with the Cypripedieae, thus re- 
 ducing the number of tribes to five, each being divided into sab- 
 tribes, the total number of these b.-in^ twenty-seven. 
 
 THE USES OF ORCHIDS. 
 
 IT has been frequently observed that families of plants which 
 yield us the most beautiful flowers are often the least productive 
 of substances useful to mar, and this is shown in orchids; for, 
 considering their numbers, very few are in the slightest degree 
 beneficial as food, medicine, or in any similarly practical way. 
 Yet, owing to their beauty, they have gained a commercial value 
 superior to many plants of much more economic importance. 
 The two chief products are Salep and Vanilla, of which the fol- 
 lowing full particulars are given by Dr. Robert Hogg, in his 
 " Vegetable Kingdom " : 
 
 Salep is a substance much used as a nutritious food in the 
 East, and is habitually used by the Turks and Persians at their 
 meals. It is a fecula produced by the tubers of Orchis mascula 
 and other allied species. This plant is one of our most abundant 
 British orchids, and is found in woods, pastures, and by waysides. 
 It also grows plentifully throughout Europe, Northern Africa, and 
 the East. In Persia the fecula is obtained by washing the roots, 
 and throwing them into boiling water to remove the outer skin ; 
 they are then dried, strung on cords, and hung in the sun till they 
 are perfectly free of moisture, and will keep without injury for 
 almost any period ; they are sometimes dried in ovens. These 
 bulbs, when thus dried, vary from the size of a cherry-stone to 
 that of an olive, are slightly transparent, and of a horny colour ; 
 they are very difficult to pulverise, and, to facilitate the opera- 
 tion, they should be soaked in cold water till they become soft, 
 and then rapidly dried. When reduced to powder, it is dissolved, 
 like other fecula, in water, milk, or broth, requiring sixty parts ot 
 liquid to one of fecula. It is employed, in the East particularly, 
 as a restorative and powerful analeptic, against weakness of the 
 forces. In Poland the decoction of Salep is the drink used in 
 
33 
 
 almost all diseases. It is highly nutritive, and may be used for 
 the same purposes as sago, tapioca, and arrow-root. Dr. 
 O'Shaughnessy states that two drachms afford a sufficient meal 
 for an invalid ; good salep, carefully prepared, is, in truth, one of 
 the best articles of diet a convalescent can use. In India the 
 salep of Cashmere is reckoned the best, and is obtained chiefly at 
 the Hurdwar fair, from the Cashmere merchants. Dr. Royle 
 considers the plant that yields Cashmere salep is an Eulophia. 
 O. morio and O. militaris, both natives of Britain, also supply 
 salep, equal in quality to that obtained from O. mascula, and it 
 has been suggested that the substance might be profitably made 
 in this country. The best time to gather the tubers is when the 
 seed is formed and the stalk is going to fall, for then the new bulb, 
 of which salep is made, is arrived at its full size. The new roots 
 are washed in water, the outer skin removed, and then set on a 
 tin plate, in an oven heated to the degree of a bread oven. In 
 six, eight, or ten minutes they will have acquired a transparency 
 like horn, without being diminished in size ; they are thus to be 
 removed into a room to dry and harden, which will be done in a 
 few days, or they may be finished in a slow heat in a few 
 hours. In North America salep is obtained from a species of 
 Habenaria. 
 
 Vanilla was generally believed to be the fruit of Vanilla 
 aromatica, but it is now supposed to be that of V. planifolia. It 
 is a parasitical plant, with a long tortuous stem, twining among 
 trees, and rising to their tops by means of suckers, after having 
 taken root at their base, in the chinks of rocks, &c. It is found 
 in humid, shady places in Mexico, Peru, Brazil, and Guiana, and 
 it is cultivated in Cayenne, St. Domingo, the Mauritius, and 
 Ceylon. The fruit, which is the part used, is straight, 4 to Sin. long, 
 and three or four lines thick, slender and curved at the end next 
 the flower, and obtuse at the other extremity, containing, within 
 its tough shell, a soft black pulp, in which numerous minute, 
 black, glossy seeds are embedded. These seeds are, when the 
 fruits open at perfect maturity, often adherent to the external 
 surface of the pods, placed in plaits or channels, and it is then 
 that a liquid, called baume de vanille, exudes. This is unknown 
 in Europe, but it is made use of in Peru. The fruit has a strong, 
 sweet, peculiar, and agreeable odour; a warm, aromatic, sweetish 
 taste, and the interior pulpy matter is the most aromatic. It 
 appears as if it contained benzoic acid, which is so abundant that 
 it effloresces on the surface of the pods in fine needles. The pods 
 are collected before they are ripe, and about three parts dried, 
 then covered over with a coating of the oils, either of cocoa-nut, 
 or castor-oil, or of Anacardium occidentale, to keep them pliant, 
 to check the evaporation of the aromatic properties, and to pro- 
 tect them from the attacks of insects. They are then tied in 
 
34 
 
 bundles, surrounded with sheet lead, or enclosed in small tin 
 boxes, and sent to market. Vanilla is an aromatic substance, 
 facilitates digestion, and is one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs, 
 if taken in a large dose. It is used by perfumers, rectifiers, and 
 distillers ; but it is principally employed in flavouring ices, 
 sherbets, bonbons, pastry, creams, and other articles of the 
 dessert, and particularly chocolate, to which it imparts a sweet- 
 ness and a beautiful delicacy, which assists in its digestion, and 
 makes it useful in restoring the gastric forces when they are im- 
 paired. It thus strengthens the stomach, intestines, and heart ; 
 gives strength and activity to the brain and the mental powers, 
 and is therefore recommended to hypochondriacs and others 
 whose intellect is impaired. It is almost constantly used by the 
 people of South America. 
 
 It may be added in reference to Vanilla that the powerful odour 
 produced by the ripe fruit is said to have an intoxicating effect 
 upon the men employed in gathering them. 
 
 Of the Bourbon Isle Faham, Angraecum fragrans, the leaves 
 are termed Bourbon Tea, and are said to "taste like bittei 
 almonds and smell like Tonquin beans," being employed to stimu- 
 late digestion, and in cases of pulmonary consumption. Helle- 
 borine root, Epipactis latifolia, has been employed for inflamma- 
 tion of the joints, the roots of an Himantoglossum and Spiranthes 
 autumnalis are reputed aphrodisiac, those of Gymnadenia 
 conopsea are said to be useful in dysentery, and of an Arethusa 
 for humours and toothache, of Spiranthes diuretica for purposes 
 implied by its name, of Cypripedum pubescens as an anti- 
 spasmodic, of Bletia verecunda as a stomachic, of the Putty-root, 
 Aplectrum hyemale, as a cement, the native Tasmanian potato, 
 Gastrodia sesamoides is eaten like a potato, while the juice of 
 some Catasetums, thickened by boiling, is employed in Brazil as 
 a glue. There are others which owe various qualities of a similar 
 character to the tubers, in which the most active properties of the 
 plants are contained. 
 
35 
 
 THE HOMES OF ORCHIDS. 
 
 RICHNESS and diversity characterise the vegetation of all tropical 
 climates, except those remarkable for their aridity, and where- 
 ever we get heat and moisture in abundance there we find the 
 Orchids luxuriating, especially the epiphytes, which clothe the 
 tree stems with verdant foliage and brilliantly-coloured flowers, 
 filling the air with hundreds of indescribable odours, and dancing 
 about on every breeze, like myriads of marvellous winged insects, 
 or exciting attention by their stateliness and aristocratic beauty. 
 In that great archipelago, whereof Java, Borneo, and Sumatra 
 are the principal islands, the necessary conditions for tropical 
 vegetable life seem to be exactly provided, and there, accordingly, 
 plants of innumerable kinds grow with rapidity and vigour, form- 
 ing a density of vegetation such as non-travellers of temperate 
 climes like our own can form but a very imperfect idea. Java, 
 especially, is wonderfully rich in plant forms. " Few spots," says 
 Dr. Seeman, "support a more luxuriant and diversified vegeta- 
 tion than the Island of Java. It is literally teeming with botanical 
 treasures. Ferns and orchids, palms and oaks, bananas and 
 nutmegs, vines and convolvolus, and an endless host of other 
 plants, of which not even the name has penetrated beyond the 
 circle of scientific botanists, cover its surface." But as in most 
 other tropical lands where there are considerable elevations, there 
 is also a good range of temperature ; for instance, the traveller 
 already quoted observes, still referring to Java : " After emerging 
 from the Coast region, and ascending to the height of 4 to 6,000 
 feet, one experiences so great a change in everything surrounding 
 him, that he can hardly believe himself to be in the same island. 
 Instead of the sultry heat and clammy atmosphere, he now in- 
 hales a pure, cool air, which exercises a delightful reaction upon 
 his spirits ; mountain streams of delicious coolness are met with 
 at every step, and a bright verdure is spread over hill and dale." 
 Yet there essentially tropical plants are still found, and it affords 
 a hint that some of the most successful cultivators of Orchids 
 have taken full advantage of, in reducing the excessively high 
 temperatures which were at one time considered necessary to 
 these plants. 
 
 One feature of tropical vegetation which differs greatly from 
 that of temperate climes, is the large numbers of species found in 
 a comparatively small area. In Europe, for example, we have 
 large forests of one or two species of trees, and thousands of 
 
 c 
 
36 
 
 acres of open moorland similarly clothed with a few species of 
 dwarf plants, like the common Ling , but in the tropics every 
 few square yards is a small botanic garden. This is shown by 
 the fact that a dozen different species of Orchids have been found 
 growing upon one tree, and it is estimated that over 300 species 
 have been introduced from Java alone. Concerning this region 
 Mr. F. W. Burbidge has written most interestingly in his 
 " Gardens of the Sun," arid some charming passages occur in 
 reference to the plants and orchids. As regards the temperature 
 of this district, and Java may be taken as an example of several 
 others, it has been recorded that on the Northern coast it is 
 excessively hot and sultry, but elsewhere, and especially in the 
 higher regions, it is much cooler, or even cold. In the dry 
 season, from April till October, the average temperature is about 
 86 deg., while in the wet season, from November till March, it 
 ranges from 83 deg. to 90 deg. Upon the Indian continent, in 
 Burmah, and contiguous countries, where Orchids are also found 
 in considerable numbers, the seasons are similar, namely, in wet 
 and dry periods the former the season of growth, and the latter 
 that of rest; but the further inland the situation, the greater are 
 the extremes of temperatures, and in some places the rainfall is 
 excessive, amounting to hundreds of inches a year. 
 
 Turning to the tropics of the New World, we have almost 
 similar conditions in Southern Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and 
 Brazil, and then again Orchids are found luxuriating in the 
 greatest profusion, but owing to the vast extent of the South 
 American Continent and its high mountains there is a greater 
 range of temperature ; and often from the same region plants are 
 obtained which require the two extremes of cool and tropical 
 treatment. Thus, the " Orchid of the Clouds," Oncidium nubi- 
 genum, has been found upon the mountains of Peru, at an 
 elevation of 14,000 feet above the sea level, and from this, the 
 highest recorded orchid, there is every gradation to the inhabi- 
 tants of the lowlands ; but large numbers are found in cool 
 moist situations, from 6 to 8,000 feet above the sea, such as our 
 elegant and chaste Odontoglossum Alexandras. To these and 
 similar regions in Mexico, indeed, we owe the majority of the 
 " cool orchids," which are fast becoming such favourites in 
 gardens. 
 
 Brazil produces a dense vegetation, and in its almost im- 
 penetrable forests are found the gorgeous Cattleyas, the noblest 
 of a noble family, and countless others of imposing beauty or 
 strange structure, like the Catasetums. The West Indies 
 produce a good proportion of species, some of the earliest in- 
 troduced epiplytes having been brought thence. Certain orchids 
 in this region have peculiar positions, as with the charming 
 Epidendrum bicornutum, which is described by one who has 
 
37 
 
 collected it there as growing upon rocks in Trinidad, fully exposed 
 to the sea ; being frequently washed by the waves, yet thriving 
 with a vigour seldom seen under cultivation. North America 
 yields many orchids of the terrestrial "class, amongst which the 
 beautiful Cypripedium spectabile may be taken as a sample ; 
 and in Europe we have also representatives of the same group, 
 Britain alone possessing about three dozen species. They are 
 on open " downs," and in low damp places throughout the 
 greater part of the kingdom, but more especially in the south ; 
 and in some districts Orchis maculata and O. mascula are 
 
 FIG. io. ONCIDIUM TIGRINUM. 
 
 important features of the local flora. As regards the extremes of 
 distribution, it may be mentioned that Calypso borealis has 
 been noticed as far north as 68 deg. ; in the south Earina 
 mucronata has been found in New Zealand, in latitude 35 deg. ; 
 and Gunnia australis in latitude 41 deg. ; and Dendrobium moni- 
 liforme has been observed in Japan, latitude 37 deg. to 38 deg. 
 north corresponding to the south of Spain. One of the most widely 
 spread orchids is Spiranthes australis, which is said to range 
 over 100 deg. of latitude, namely from the Altai mountains in the 
 north to New Zealand in the south. 
 
3S 
 
 The great Australian continent, though abounding in distinct 
 types of vegetation and possessing a tropical climate over a large 
 portion of its surface, does not include many representatives of 
 this beautiful family, which a few degrees farther north are so 
 numerous in the islands of the Malayan Archipelago. This is 
 doubtlessly due to the comparative dryness of the climate and 
 the peculiar conformation of the surface, which is somewhat 
 basin-shaped, the higher parts being near the coasts, the large 
 central portion presenting a flat extent of land, mostly arid and 
 desert-like, but relieved in a few localities by slight elevations. 
 In such a country we could not expect to find any remarkable 
 luxuriance of epiphytal vegetation like the humid forests of 
 Brazil produce, and we have instead an abundance of those 
 peculiar dry-climate types, such as the members of the Rue 
 family, the Eucalypti, the Proteas, and others, mostly dis- 
 tinguished by firm or leathery foliage, which frequently possesses 
 powerful aromatic odours. In a few distric's, however, Orchids 
 are found, and these include several beautiful species. They are 
 nearly all natives of some part of the east coast from Moreton 
 Bay to Torres Straits, but the terrestrial species far exceed the 
 epiphytes in number ; and though outside the genera Dendrobium, 
 Cymbidium, and Sarcochilus there are few of the latter class, 
 yet the others are represented by such genera as Thelymitra, 
 Cadadenia, and Pterostylis, which are scarcely known in English 
 gardens, though two familiar terrestrial Orchids have been 
 observed there namely, Phaius grandifolius and Calanthe 
 veratrifolia : but these can only be regarded as strays from more 
 northern latitudes. With these exceptions the terrestrial Orchids 
 of Australia do not possess much value in a horticultural point 
 of view. 
 
 The lovely Dendrobiums superbiens is one of the best of the 
 twenty forms of that genus found in Australia ; several others, as 
 the tongue-shaped . D. linguseforme, and the Gherkin-like 
 D. cucumerinum, being interesting curiosities. Some have strange 
 positions, thus D. semulum has been seen growing upon " the 
 rugged Eucalyptus, in the open dry forests near Port Jackson." 
 D. undulatum grows upon " barren hills, in tufts, on bare rocks, 
 exposed to the full heat of the sun, and D. linguaeforme is also 
 found upon moss-covered rocks near Port Jackson and Moreton 
 Bay. 
 
 As might be expected, there is a great range in the tempera- 
 ture of so large an extent of land, the mean annual temperature 
 varying from 60 deg. in the south to 80 deg. in the north ; and the 
 annual rainfall also varies considerably namely, from 80 inches on 
 some parts of the east coast to 12 inches, or even less probably, 
 in the drier regions, so that it is of much importance to know the 
 precise locality from which plants are obtained. 
 
39 
 
 Some terrestrial orchids are natives of South Africa, especially 
 in the Cape of Good Hope district, whence we have had the 
 brilliant Disa grandiflora, which is scarcely equalled for beauty 
 amongst that species ol the group ; there, too, is found the blue 
 flowered orchid, Herscheha ccerulea. 
 
 On the West Coast of Africa, in Madagascar, in Bourbon, 
 and Mauritius, is the head-quarters of the Angraecums, which 
 revel in much heat and moisture, and there (in Madagascar) the 
 Rev. W. Ellis spent a considerable time, two of the chief results 
 of his travels being the descriptive works which have interested 
 so many readers, and the introduction of the strange Angraecum 
 sesquipedale, which has been previously noticed. 
 
 A few of the principal genera may be mentioned as examples 
 of the distribution of Orchids. Aerides, chiefly East Indies, Java 
 and Phillippines ; Angrascum, West Africa, Madagascar, &c., &c., 
 also a few in South America and Japan ; Cattleya, Brazil, Guate- 
 mala, Mexico; Cypripedium, East Indies, Archipelago, Europe, 
 and North and South America; Dendrobium, East Indies, Archi- 
 pelago, Philippines ; Japan and Australia; Epidendrum, Brazil, 
 Peru, Guatemala and Mexico; Laslia, similar ; Masdevallia, New 
 Grenada and Peru ; Odontoglossum, Guatemala, Peru and Mexico; 
 Oncidium, Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico; Phalasnopsis, Java, 
 Manila and Philippines ; Vanda, East India, Java, Borneo, China 
 and the Philippines. It is worthy of remark that in endeavouring 
 to imitate the natural condition under which orchids grow, it has 
 been thought that gases arising from decaying vegetation, always 
 more or less abundant in tropical countries, are beneficial to the 
 plants. In some degree this may be true, but travellers tell us 
 that orchids avoid all pestilential districts, and appear to prefer 
 the most healthful positions. Some advantage has, however, been 
 derived from large beds of leaves beneath the plants, though 
 probably this was due more to the constant moisture so provided 
 than to anything else ; one cultivator has, however, advocated the 
 employment of carbonate of ammonia in small quantities to 
 furnish a supply of ammonia. 
 
 THE HISTORY OF ORCHIDS. 
 
 IT would be impossible within the limits of a small treatise like 
 this to give an exhaustive review of the history of Orchids, but 
 a brief summary will permit some idea to be formed respecting 
 the advance made during this century, and the popularity 
 extended to these plants at the present time. 
 
4 o 
 
 Most of our British Orchids were known to the old herbalists, 
 Parkinson and Gerarde, and by them were described or figured ; 
 but in their time no exotic species were to be seen in English 
 gardens, though botanists very soon afterwards began to have a 
 knowledge of some of the East and West Indian Orchids. It 
 was, however, very imperfect, and it was not until Linnaeus 
 published his " Species Plantarum," in 1763, that an approach to 
 an accurate idea either of their number or characters could be 
 obtained. Ninety-one species were enumerated in that work, 
 and all the epiphytal orchids then known were placed in the 
 genus Epidendium, At that time there were only four exotic 
 species in cultivation in England, namely Cypripedium parvi- 
 florum, 1759; C. spectabile, 1731; Vanilla aromatica, 1739; and 
 Bletia verecunda, 1731 ; and these were probably known in 
 very few gardens, though they were all grown by Philip Miller, 
 in the Apothecaries' Garden, at Chelsea. Four years previously, 
 namely, in 1759, Mr. W. Aiton, one of Mr. Miller's pupils, was 
 appointed to the charge of the Botanical Gardens, at Kew, and 
 a catalogue of the plants published by Dr. Hill, in 1768, showed 
 that the collection was fast becoming of importance, and this 
 was still further confirmed by Mr. Alton's " Hortus Kewensis," 
 which appeared in 1789. Previous to 1780, in addition to those 
 already named, only the following had been introduced : Bletia 
 Tankervillias, China, 1778, Dr. J. Fothergill ; Epidendrum fragrans, 
 subsequently figured as E. cochleatum, in the " Botanical Mag- 
 azine, "plate 152, Jamaica, 1778, Francis Goldney; E. conopseum, 
 Florida, 1775, Dr. J. Fothergill ; Malaxis liliifolia, North America, 
 1758, Peter Collinson, and Calopogon pulchellus, North America, 
 1771, William Malcom. As far as can be judged from these 
 records, and some additional evidence furnished by an old work 
 by Martyn, the first exotic orchid that was introduced to 
 England was Bletia verecunda, which was sent over to Mr. 
 Collinson, about 1731, as a dried specimen, but the tubers being 
 planted, grew and flowered. Cypripedium spectabile, or album, as 
 it was also called, however, appears to have been in cultivation 
 about the same time or very shortly afterwards, In the next 
 twenty years several species were brought to this country, chiefly 
 through the means of Sir Joseph Banks, and the total number in 
 cultivation, including native species, had increased to about 50. 
 These included the first introduction of the firm, Messrs. Loddiges, 
 Cymbidium aloifolium (1786) ; and the now well known Aerides 
 odoratum (1809). A botanical work by Persoon, a few years 
 later, enumerated several hundred species of Orchids as known 
 to science, but the cultivated species did not keep space with 
 their rapid increase, as the second edition of the Hortus Kewensis, 
 published in 1813, only gives the names of 118 as comprised in 
 that collection. By 1826, however, the number had advanced to 
 
 4 
 
4 1 
 
 326, as we learn from Sweet's " Hortus Britannicus," of that date. 
 During this period, Messrs. Loddiges', of Hackney, were doing 
 much to spread a knowledge of Orchids, both by introduction 
 and good culture, and their catalogue issued about this time 
 enumerated 84 forms, which was then a remarkable collection for 
 one firm. Taking four of the largest genera, we find the following 
 members of species in Sweet's list : Epidendrum, 17 ; Oncidium, 12 ; 
 Dendrobium, 10 ; and Cypripedium, 8. Of the same genera in 
 1840, Paxton enumerated of Epidendrum, 48 ; Oncidium, 43 ; Den- 
 drobium, 40 ; and Cypripedium, 12, when the first Odontoglossum 
 O. cordatum is named ; while in the next ten years, the members 
 had increased surprisingly, no less than 94 Dendrobiums; 172 
 Epidendrums, and 69 Oncidiums having been added to the list. 
 These will convey some idea of the advance made, but the 
 increase has been very rapid since then, for its is variously 
 estimated that at the present time, betwen 4 and 5,000 species 
 are known, of which probably at least half are in cultivation, 
 about 200 species each of Dendrobium and Oncidium being 
 known, while the Epidendrums have advanced to 400 species, 
 other genera being proportionate. 
 
 At the commencement of the third decade of the present cen- 
 tury, orchid growing was making some progress, Mr. Richard 
 and Mrs. Arnold Harrison's collections at Aigburth, Liverpool, at- 
 tracted much attention, Mr. Jas. Bateman, Knypersley Hall, 
 Congleton, was gaining fame as an orchidist, and Mr. John 
 Lindley, who commenced editing the " Botanical Register " in 1829, 
 was giving much study to the family, the result being, that the 
 plants were brought prominently into public notice. Mr. Cattley 
 of Barnet, and the Rev. T. Huntley of Kimbolton, also grew 
 considerable numbers of orchids. Collectors were dispatched 
 to various regions, and the result of their journeys was the 
 successful importation of many plants. In 1833 and 1834, Kew 
 was enriched by collections from Demerara and Surinam, brought 
 by Messrs. Aldridge and Lance, while Mr. Colley collected in 
 Demerara, and dispatched to Mr. Fairbairn of Oxford, 60 species, 
 two-thirds of which were said to be new Mr. Knight of Chelsea, 
 also, having acquired Mrs Arnold Harrison's orchids, soon formed 
 a considerable collection, the Liverpool Botanic Gardens, the 
 London Horticultural Society, and Messrs. Lee, had more or 
 less extensive collections. In the course of this decade, the 
 Duke of Devonshire began to increase his collections, and Mr. 
 John Gibson was dispatched to the East Indies in search of 
 novelties, several hundreds being sent home during 1837, and 
 in subsequent years the Chatswoth collection became, under 
 the charge of Mr. Paxton, one of the most noted in the king- 
 dom. In 1841, the " Gardener's Chronicle " was founded, and 
 aided still farther in extending the public favour to these plants, 
 
4 2 
 
 indeed it would be impossible to estimate how much this periodical 
 has done for orchid lovers and orchid growers. Collections 
 continued to increase. The celebrated Mrs. Lawrence of Baling 
 Park became widely famed as one of the most enthusiastic 
 and successful amateur orchid growers. Mr. S. Rucker of Wands- 
 worth, and Mr. Edwards, gardener to the Duke of Devonshire, at 
 Chiswick, and the Rev. John Clowes, Broughton Hall, Man- 
 chester, also held prominent positions amongst the cultivators of 
 the time. The travels of Galeotti in Mexico, and of Gardner in 
 Brazil, yielded large numbers of plants, Warscewicz also dis- 
 patching considerable consignments from Costa Rica. Mr. 
 George Ure Skinner, during a number of years before and after 
 this time, sent several important collections from Guatemala, 
 and sales in London became frequent. A few of the large collec- 
 tions began to be dispersed, the Rev. John Clowes' orchids were 
 left to Kew in 1846, and Mr. Bateman's were sold in 1850, but 
 the general increase continued rapidly. "The Cottage Gardener," 
 which subsequently developed into the "Journal of Horticulture," 
 was founded in 1848, and afforded another means of communi- 
 cation between orchid growers, Mr. Donald Beaton and others 
 contributing materially to the advancing interest in the plants. 
 It should also be here added, that subsequently, the " Gardener's 
 Magazine," and later still, the "Garden" have also contributed 
 largely to the extension of orchid culture. In the meantime a 
 distinguished cultivator of orchids was coming to the front, Mr. 
 B. S. Williams, gardener to C. Warner, Esq., Hoddesdon, Herts, 
 who was one of the most successful exhibitors of these plants at 
 that time. He contributed a series of articles to the " Gar- 
 dener's Chronicle," entitled " Orchids for the Million," which 
 were in 1852 reprinted as the first edition of his " Orchid Growers' 
 Manual," that has since then passed through five editions, 
 and a sixth is in course of preparation. Quite a little colony of 
 orchid growers was formed in the neighbourhood of Hoddesdon, 
 from which liberal contributions soon appeared at the Chiswick 
 and Regent's Park Shows. Mr. Woolley, gardener to H. B. Ker, 
 Esq., and Mr. Clark, gardener to Mr. Webb, being amongst the 
 principal, and from other districts came Mr. Hume, gardener to 
 Mr. H anbury, The Poles, Herts; Mr. Carson, gardener to F. 
 Farmer, Esq., Cheam ; Mr. Rae, gardener to J. Blandy, Esq., 
 Reading,who some years before had secured Mr. Barkers' collection; 
 Mr. Bassett, gardener to R. S. Holford, Esq., Weston Birt ; Mr. 
 Pass, gardener to T. Brocklehurst, Esq., Macclesfield ; Mr. Dean, 
 gardener to J. Bateman, Esq., Knypersly ; Mr. White, gardener to 
 H. Kenrick, Esq., Birmingham, and Messrs. Gedney, Ivison, 
 Keele, Dunsford, Green and Dodds. In 1853, considerable 
 interest was given to the Chiswick exhibitors by the Horticultural 
 Society offering some valuable prizes for collections of twenty 
 
43 
 
 orchids, the chiet being the large gold medal, value 15, and the 
 gold Knightian medal, value 10, other medals being offered for 
 smaller collections, and the result was some beautiful displays of 
 well-grown plants, Aerides and Saccolabiums being especially well 
 represented at that time. The leading trade exhibitors were 
 Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, and Rollissons of Tooting, both of 
 whom were paying great attention to the orchid family, and 
 forming vast collections. 
 
 In the course of 1853 large numbers of plants were collected 
 by Warscewicz, on the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, in a 
 country that had previously been unexplored. Amongst these 
 were many valuable treasures, which were eagerly purchased by 
 the amateur and trade orchidists at high prices. Several im- 
 portant works upon orchids had appeared by this time, such as 
 Bateman's Orchidaceous Plants of Mexico and Guatemala, and 
 Lindley's Genera and Species of Orchids (1830-1840), and in 1854 
 the " Pescatorea " was commenced, with it being connected 
 such men as Linden, Liiddeman, Planchon, and Reichenbach, all 
 names of note in the orchid world. Linden, at Brussels and 
 Ghent, had formed large collections. Liiddeman had charge of 
 M. Pescatore's collection at Paris, and Reichenbach was rising 
 high in fame as a skilled botanist. The last mentioned has for 
 many years worked most assiduously amongst the orchids, he 
 has devoted a life time to their study, and no one at the present 
 time has such a competent knowledge of the family as he. Un- 
 fortunately his writings are much scattered, and we do not 
 possess what many earnestly desire a full botanical elaboration 
 of the order from his pen. In 1855-6 and 7 some important collec- 
 tions were dispersed, of which Mr. Schroder's, Loddiges', and 
 that of the London Horticultural Society, were the principal, and 
 some probably thought that " the orchid passion " was declining, 
 but this was far from being the case, as subsequent events 
 abundantly proved. 
 
 Some reference has already been made to the expansion of 
 Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons' orchid collection, and it was brought 
 :still more prominently into notice in 1858, for it was then they 
 first exhibited a hybrid orchid. This was Calanthe Dominii, 
 the result of a cross between C. Masuca and C. furcata, 
 obtained by Mr. Dominy, foreman at the Exeter nursery, and ex- 
 hibited at the Crystal Palace, September 8th and gth, 1858. 
 With it were shown several hybrid Cattleyas, between C. Harri- 
 soniae and C. granulosa, which also attracted much attention. 
 Remarking upon these in the " Cottage Gardener," Mr. Beaton 
 said, "There is not the slightest doubt about Oncidiums, Dendro- 
 biums, Epidendrums, and all the great families sporting like 
 Calceolarias ; nor that nine-tenths of the pride of botanists the 
 species are mere seedling varieties, which get fixed in time by 
 
44 
 
 local influences. There is not such a thing in nature as a species 
 as meant by botanists." This seemed to contain a prediction 
 that has been most amply fulfilled in the scores of beautiful 
 hybrids raised since then by Mr. Dominy, and especially by Mr. 
 Seden and others. The first hybrid I 
 
 was indeed the commencement of 
 an important era in c rchidology, 
 and well did Mr. Dominy de- 
 serve the numerous substantial 
 testimonials that have been 
 awarded to him. In another re- 
 spect Messrs. Veitch were also 
 fortunate in procuring the services 
 of two enthusiastic plant col- 
 lectors, the Brothers Lobb Mr. 
 Wm. Lobb, who travelled in 
 America, and Mr. Thomas Lobb, 
 who wandered over India, Assam, 
 Borneo, Java, and the Philippines, 
 adding grand stores of useful 
 and handsome plants, including 
 large numbers of orchids, to the 
 Veitchian possessions. 
 
 Progress still continued, and 
 the sixth decade was marked by 
 several important events. The 
 celebrated work on orchids, by 
 Mr. Charles Darwin, appeared in 
 1862, and may be fairly said to 
 have revolutionised opinion with 
 regard to these plants. It was 
 entitled, "The various contri- 
 vances by which orchids are 
 fertilised by insects," and, so ably 
 was the subject discussed, that it 
 attracted the attention of the 
 whole scientific world. Twenty 
 years later a second edition was 
 issued, with several important 
 additions, and the work is in- 
 valuable for all interested in 
 Orchids. 
 
 Mr. Robert Warner, of Broom- 
 
 orchidist, forming an extensive 
 
 collection of fine specimens, many of which were subsequently 
 
45 
 
 exhibited at all the leading shows, both at home, on the Con- 
 tinent, and even as far as St. Petersburg. With Mr. B. S. 
 Williams Mr. Warner at the period under notice commenced a 
 magnificent work, entitled, " Select Orchidaceous Plants," which 
 gave coloured plates of the plants., natural size, and it is still 
 issued at intervals. 
 
 A series of highly interesting lectures upon Orchids was also 
 given at this time by Mr. J. Bateman, at the meetings of the 
 Royal Horticultural Society, and the same gentleman, untiring 
 in his efforts to maintain the interest in Orchids, offered a 
 challenge medal or a prize of 20 in money to be awarded to the 
 exhibitor who gained most marks for those plants at the 
 exhibition of the Society. This was gained in 1868 by Mr. 
 James Anderson, gardener to T. Dawson, Esq., Meadow Bank, 
 Uddingstone, near Glasgow, by a large majority. The wonderful 
 Meadow Bank collection was then in its prime, and many a 
 grand specimen was shown by this skilful grower that provoked 
 the good tempered envy of less successful competitors. 
 
 The record of several important sales of Orchids, i.e., those of 
 Mr. J. A. Turner, Pendlebury House, Manchester, in 1868; those 
 of Mr. S. Rucker, in 1872 ; those of the Rev. William Ellis, in the 
 same year ; of Provost Russell, Falkirk, in 1875 ; and of Mr. 
 Wilkins, in 1877 ; brings us to 1880, and renders a few words 
 necessary upon the principal Orchid collections of the present 
 times. It may, however, be mentioned that in addition to those 
 already named, the following persons, either as amateurs, growers, 
 or collectors, took an important part in Orchid affairs up to this 
 time: J. H. Schroder, Stratford Green; J. Gould Veitch, Mrs. 
 Wray, Oakfield ; Rev. C. S. P. Parish, Mr. Fairrie, of Liverpool ; 
 Mr. W. Maule, Bristol; Earl Fitzwilliam, (Viscount Milton) 
 Wentworth House, Yorkshire ; Consul G. W. Schiller, Hamburg ; 
 T. Brocklehurst, The Fence, Macclesfield ; W. Wilson Saunders, 
 Esq., Bowman, Blunt, Hartweg, Colonel Benson, Kramer, Hutton, 
 Wallis, Hugh Low, Schlim, F. W. Burbidge, Mr. John Day, and 
 R. Dodgson, Esq. To describe the labours of these and others 
 would fill a large volume, for to all, in varying degrees, are Orchid 
 growers of the present day indebted. 
 
 Writing in 1841, Mr. Jas. Bateman said that the collections of 
 Orchids were innumerable, and if that was the case then, what 
 would be said now ? The plants were then numbered by hundreds 
 now amateurs possess their thousands, and one, Mr. R. Warner, 
 has even had as many as 12,000 plants of one species, Odonto- 
 glossum Alexandras. In the leading collections a dozen houses 
 or more are devoted to them, and coming to the trade stores the 
 numbers are overwhelming. When we talk about plants by the 
 100,000 we seem to be dealing with bedding Pelargoniums or 
 Lobelias, and not Orchids, yet one firm claims to possess that 
 
46 
 
 number of Odontoglossums of the choicest species, hybrids and 
 varieties ; other large firms variously enumerate their collections 
 at 20 to 60,000 plants, and these estimates are in some cases 
 under the mark. The capital thus sunk in Orchids is enormous, 
 and considering the salesmen, collectors, growers, and various 
 other persons the trade in these plants gives employment to, we 
 begin to perceive that it is one of the most important departments 
 of commercial horticulture of the present time. Yet, when 
 Miller had only a Cypripedium and Bletia to test his skill, and 
 Linnaeus estimated that further explorations might increase the 
 number of known Orchids to about 100, who could have imagined 
 to what an extent Orchid culture would develop ? 
 
 In the foregoing hurried review of the advance made, many 
 noted names have been necessarily omitted, and still more must 
 now be passed, for to mention names alone would occupy far 
 mpre space than can be spared in this small treatise. Glancing 
 around we, however, find that, as it ever has been, there are 
 some who, from their greater enthusiasm or greater wealth, have 
 formed collections of leading importance. Amongst these, a 
 prominent place must be given to Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., 
 M.P., President of the Royal Horticultural Society, who, at 
 Burford Lodge, Dorking, has formed a most beautiful and valu- 
 able store of plants. During a number of years every effort has 
 been made to secure the choicest and most handsome Orchids in 
 cultivation, and no expense has been spared to render it the chief 
 collection in the country. Under the practical care of the late 
 Mr. Spyers, the plants became famed throughout Europe, and 
 many an invaluable hint in culture has been gained from that 
 careful orchidist. At Downside, Leatherhead, W. Lee, Esq., has 
 gradually increased his collection, until in extent it is probably 
 unequalled. The plants, too, are in grand health, magnificent 
 houses having been erected for them in recent years, of which 
 the span roof Cattleya house, 100 feet long, is especially remark- 
 able, though others devoted to Odontoglossums are of equal 
 length. Baron Schroder, at The Dell, Egham, has a famous 
 collection, under the charge of Mr. Ballantine, including many 
 rare and valuable hybrids. Mr. R. Warner, at Broomfield, 
 Chelmsford, has of late years devoted his attention more par- 
 ticularly to the " cool house " Orchids, such as O. Alexandras, 
 after proving his powers as an orchidist with Vandas, Cattleyas, 
 and Cypripediums. F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., Oldfield. Bickley, 
 has for many years taken a prominent interest in Orchids, and 
 has in his five or six houses a choice assortment of the most 
 effective species and varieties, particular favourites being the 
 Cattleyas, Lselias and Phalaenopses. Of the last named, few such 
 fine collections can be seen, and all, under Mr. Reims' careful 
 superintendence, are as healthy as could be wished. At Sydenham, 
 
47 
 
 FIG. 12. CYPRIPEDIUM LEEANUM SUPERBUM 
 
there are several good collections, also at Streatham, where 
 J. Southgate, Esq., has a number of houses devoted to well- 
 grown plants, under the charge of Mr. Salter ; at Bickley, H. M. 
 Pollett, Esq., an assortment of choice species and varieties ; 
 A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, Wallington, has a large number 
 of species and varieties under the care of Mr. Cummins, while 
 many more Orchidists in the Metropolitan district will be found 
 enumerated in the list on another page. In the provinces, some 
 of the most noted Orchid-lovers are the Right Hon. J. Chamber- 
 lain, M.P., and C. Winn, Esq., Birmingham ; G. Hardy, Esq., 
 Timperley, Cheshire ; Dr. R. F. Ainsworth, Lower Broughton ; 
 and Enoch Harvey, Esq., Riversdale Road, Aigburth, Liverpool. 
 In Scotland, Dr. A. Paterson, Bridge of Allan, has, during a long 
 period, worked most carefully amongst the Orchids, and has 
 inspired many others with some of his own enthusiasm. Those 
 here named, together with others in the list, have from two or 
 three to a dozen or more houses devoted to Orchids, the number 
 of which in the larger collections, like those at Burford Lodge, 
 Downside, and the Dell, amount to many thousands. 
 
 Trade collections are far more abundant than they were earlier 
 in the century, for nearly every nurseryman now includes some of 
 these plants in his stock. There are, however, several who hava 
 made a speciality of Orchids, and who grow enormous numbers, 
 occupying extensive ranges of twenty houses or more, varying 
 in size up to 150 feet in length. The leading collections are the 
 following: Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, Chelsea; Mr. B. S. Wil- 
 liams, Upper Holloway ; Mr. W. Bull, Chelsea ; Messrs. H. Low 
 and Co., Upper Clapton ; Messrs. J. Laing and Son, Forest Hill; 
 Messrs. Heath and Son and J. Cypher and Son, Cheltenham ; 
 Messrs. J. Backhouse and Son, York ; Messrs. Sander and Co., 
 St. Albans ; and in Scotland, Messrs. W. Thomson and Son, 
 Clovenfords ; and Ireland and Thomson, Edinburgh. 
 
 The horticultural periodicals and Mr. B. S. Williams' beautiful 
 monthly publication, " The Orchid Album," which commenced 
 its career in 1881, have served to materially increase the public 
 interest in Orchids. The valuable prizes offered at horticultural 
 exhibitions afford another means of extending their popularity. 
 In this respect the Manchester Horticultural Society has taken 
 an important part of recent years, for the most liberal prizes 
 have been offered there, rendering the Whitsuntide shows in tha 
 Botanic Gardens at Old Trafford, under the management of Mr. 
 Bruce Findlay, some of the most successful in the kingdom. 
 Magnificent displays of Orchids are annually provided there, and 
 at no other place have such numbers of good specimens been 
 staged in competition. No less than 156 are offered in prizes 
 for Orchids alone, and until 1885 th* s had never been surpassed; 
 but on June gth of that year, the Royal Horticultural Society 
 
49 
 
 provided a show of Orchids, at South Kensington, at which the 
 prizes amounted to 184. Thus, in one season within a period 
 of three weeks, 340 was offered for Orchids. The Royal 
 Botanic Society have also for many years provided substantial 
 prizes for Orchids, and some very beautiful groups have been ob- 
 tained at the summer shows. The Crystal Palace Company have 
 similarly supplied good prizes, and other societies throughout the 
 kingdom have contributed in varying degrees to the encourage- 
 ment of the plants. 
 
 The total amount of prizes offered in 1886 is the largest yet 
 devoted to Orchids alone in one year. Birmingham, May I2th, 
 and i3th, 141 ; Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park, May igth 
 and June gth, 100; Manchester, June nth to igth, 150; 
 York, June 23rd to 25th, 50 ; the Provincial Show of the Royal 
 Horticultural Society at Liverpool, 119, or 566, exclusive of 
 the prizes offered at many other smaller shows, which would 
 bring the total to considerably over 600. 
 
 The greatest event of Orchid history was, however, the exhibi- 
 tion and conference at South Kensington, May I2th and I3th, 
 1885, which proved very successful. The exhibition itself com- 
 prised large numbers, many of which were arranged in the 
 conservatory, forming grand central and side banks. It was 
 especially remarkable for the numbers of species and varieties 
 represented, and in this respect has never been equalled. The 
 official report gives full particulars concerning this, and ample 
 notices were given in the horticultural periodicals at the time, 
 so it need not be referred to here farther than to give the names 
 of the principal exhibitors of groups, with the number of species, 
 varieties, and hybrids staged: Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, M.P., 
 64 ; W. Lee, Esq., 72 ; Duke of Devonshire, 40 ; Baron Schroder, 
 a smaller number, but some of the best plants in the exhibition ; 
 
 J. Southgate, Esq., 60. Other smaller collections came from 
 H. M. Pollett, Esq., A. H. Smee, Esq., J. T. Peacock, Esq., 
 J. C. Duke, Esq., De B. Crawshay, Esq., Royal Gardens, Kew ; 
 
 W. E. Brymer, Esq., W. Cookson, Esq., F. A. Philbrick, Esq., 
 Q.C., and H. Little, Esq. The trade was well represented by 
 Messrs. B. S. Williams, Hugh Low and Co., Sander and Co., 
 Shuttleworth and Carder, J. Veitch and Sons, W. Bull, J. Cypher 
 and Son, and W. Thomson and Son. 
 
 As nearly as could be determined from notes taken at the time, 
 the total number of genera represented was 56 ; of species, 
 varieties, and hybrids, 347. With only two or three exceptions 
 these were all in flower, and in the opinion of a noted continental 
 Orchidist, the whole of Europe, exclusive of Britain, could not 
 have produced such a number in flower at one time. The 
 principal genera were represented by distinct forms as follows 
 Odontoglossum, 66; Masdevallia, 48; Cypripedium, 40; Dendro- 
 
50 
 
 bium, 34: Cattleya, 27; Oncidium, 19; and Laelia, n. Taking 
 the number of times they were shown in distinct collections, 
 and exclusive of duplicates in the same collection, these genera 
 stand in the same order with the following numbers Odonto- 
 glossum, 174 ; Masdevallia, 91 ; Cypripedium, 84 ; Dendrobium, 
 67 ; Cattleya, 66 ; Oncidium, 31 ; Laelia, 16. If the number oi 
 plants of each variety or species had been counted, the Odonto- 
 glossums would still further predominate. It might be estimated 
 that under 1,000 plants were shown. 
 
 On the second day the conference was opened by the President, 
 Sir Trevor Lawrence, with an appropriate speech, and the first 
 paper read was one on botanical subjects, from Professor 
 Reichenbach ; this was followed by " The Hybridisation of 
 Orchids," by Mr. Harry J. Veitch, a most interesting and 
 valuable contribution, and an able paper on " The Cultivation of 
 Orchids," by Mr. James O'Brien. When these were concluded 
 the President stated that three gold medals, placed at the disposal 
 of the Royal Horticultural Society by the Trustees of the Veitch 
 Memorial Fund, had been awarded to Professor Reichenbach, 
 for his labours in connection with Orchids ; to the Rev. C. P. 
 Parish, late of Moulmein, for numerous introductions of novelties ; 
 and to Mr. Seden, for his success in the hybridisation of Orchids. 
 At the afternoon meeting some discussion took place concerning 
 nomenclature, and the employment of manures for Orchids, but 
 the principal points introduced respecting the latter are men- 
 tioned in another portion of this treatise, 
 
 Three distinguished Orchidists died in 1885, namely : Mr. R. 
 P. Percival, The Clevelands, Birkdale Road, Southport, who died 
 on December i4th. His name is celebrated in Cattleya Per. 
 civaliana, and the collection was sold by the Liverpool Horticul- 
 tural Company, February 2nd, 1886. M. Regnier, curator of the 
 Botanic Garden, Saigos, the importer of many Orchids, including 
 Calanthe Regnieri, who was killed at Pursat, Cambodge, and 
 Herr Benedict Roezl, the collector and introducer of many rare 
 South American Orchids, who died at Prague, October 14th. 
 
 THE VALUE OF ORCHIDS. 
 
 THE auction sales conducted at Steven's Rooms, King Street, 
 Covent Garden, for so many years, at Messrs. Protheroe's, 
 Cheapside, by the Liverpool Horticultural Company, and others, 
 have dispersed many fine collections, and have also been the 
 means of large numbers of imported orchids being placed in the 
 hands of the public. A record of these sales would afford some 
 
curious facts in the history of Orchids, but a short notice of the 
 principal prices that have been obtained will suffice to indicate 
 the enormous amount of money that has been expended upon 
 these plants within the past 40 years. Good prices were obtained 
 as early as 1830, such as 26 for Sobralia macrantha ; 10 for 
 Arpophyllum giganteum ; 15 for Laelia superbiens, and 17 for 
 Barkeria spectabilis. Sales of 48 to 168 lots realising from 118 
 to 600. In 1846 Mr. Barker's collection was sold to Mr. 
 Blandy, of Reading, for 900, and about the same time a plant 
 of Vanda Lowi was sold for 30, a large collection of Central 
 American orchids from Mr. Skinner producing 613. Some of 
 Mr. Bateman's plants were sold in 1850, when Angraecum 
 eburneum fetched 19 guineas, Vanda suavis, 17 guineas, and 
 others of proportionate amounts. At the sale of Warscewicz's 
 introduction in 1853, the chief amount was 16 guineas for Epi- 
 dendrum Frederici Gulielmi, and at another sale the same year 
 Phalaenopsis grandiflora realised 15 IDS. Prices began to in- 
 crease, and in 1855, at Mr. Schroder's sale, Aerides Schroederi 
 fetched 89, Vanda suavis 31, Aerides affine 26, and Oncidium 
 Lanceanum, said to be the finest plant then in cultivation, 16. 
 The Loddiges' collection was sold in 1856, and one portion of 280 
 lots realised the sum of 717, Vanda Batemanni, 43, Aerides 
 nobile, 21, A. Schrcederi, 19 guineas, and Saccolabium ampulla- 
 ceum, 15. 
 
 In the same year, the London Horticultural Society's collection 
 was brought to the hammer, 300 lots realising 554, while in 
 1859 another portion was sold for 470. 
 
 At the first sale the most remarkable plants sold were Phalae- 
 nopsis amabilis, which was bought by the Duke of Devonshire 
 for 68 55., and this was the fine specimen which Mr. Fortune 
 purchased in the Island of Luzon for a dollar, ten or twelve years 
 previously, and Laelia superbiens, the finest specimen in Europe, 
 with 220 pseudo-bulbs, and 17 feet in circumference, 36 155., 
 bought by Mr. Fairrie, of Liverpool ; at the latter sale, Aerides 
 Schroederi realised 31. Before this time it is said that the Duke of 
 Devonshire had given Messrs. Rollisson and Son 100 for Phalae- 
 nopsis amabilis. In 1861, Dr. Butler's orchids were sold, 300 
 lots producing 1,500, Saccolabium guttatum and S. giganteum 
 fetching 52 and 46 respectively. At a sale in Liverpool, in 1868, 
 Messrs. Veitch gave 67 guineas for the finest plant of Dendrobium 
 Falconeri in the country, which a few years before had been 
 bought for 4 guineas. The Meadow Bank collection of 600 lots 
 was sold for 2,000, Laelia anceps Dawsoni realising 46, and 
 Cattleya exoniensis 32. The Pendlebury orchids were also 
 dispersed for the sum of 2,824, some very high prices having 
 been obtained, as 55 for Odontoglossum naevium majus, Sacco- 
 labium giganteum 72, Aerides Schroederi 55, and Cattleya 
 
52 
 
 labiata, 31. The Rev. W. Ellis's collection sold for 600 in 
 1872. Mr. Russell's, of Falkirk, for 2,211, when Cattleya 
 Russelliana fetched 44, Saccolabium giganteum 72, and S. 
 guttatum 65. The Manley Hall collection, S. Mendel, Esq., 
 which during several years (from 1869 73) had gained such fame, 
 was sold for over 4,000, Saccolabium guttatum superbum 
 realising 46, Cypripedium Stonei 38, Oncidium splendidum 
 47, Masdevallia Lindeni 39, and many others for smaller 
 amounts. In 1877 Mr. Wilkin's orchids sold for 1,300. 
 Cymbidium Parishi, flowered at Fallowfield in 1878, and also 
 flowered at the same time by Mr. Day, of Tottenham, was pur- 
 chased by Mr. B. S. Williams for 100 guineas, and is figured in 
 the Orchid Album I. 25. 
 
 The first portion of Mr. Day's celebrated Tottenham collection 
 was sold early in 1881 for 1,847, when Cypripedium Stonei 
 platytaenium brought the enormous sum of 140 guineas, the only 
 plants of Cattleya Blunti in the country realising 17 guineas and 
 42 respectively. The second portion, sold April i2th and i3th, 
 brought 1,803, Cattleya exoniensis 48 guineas, Phalaenopsis 
 intermedia 62 and 42 guineas. Dendrobium Schrceden 38 
 guineas, Laelia purpurata 30 guineas, and Cypripedium Spice- 
 rianum 25 guineas. The third portion was sold the 4th and 5th 
 of May, the total being 1,888 for 659 lots ; Cypripedium Stonei 
 platytaenium 120 guineas, Cypripedium Spicerianum 42 guineas, 
 Cattleya labiata, autumn flowering variety, 40 guineas, and many 
 others realised similarly high prices. The fourth portion was 
 sold at the end of May for 1,521, when Cattleya Skinneri alba 
 realised 52 guineas. The total amount of these four sales 
 exceeded 7,000, and some others were sold subsequently. Since 
 then high prices have been obtained at various sales, but the most 
 remarkable of all was in September, 1883, when a plant of a 
 new Aerides, introduced by Mr. F. Sander, was sold, at Steven's 
 Rooms, to Sir Trevor Lawrence for 235 guineas, the highest 
 price ever paid for any orchid. This was subsequently named 
 Aerides Lawrenciae, and resembles A. quinquevulnerum in habit, 
 the flower spike 2 feet long, the flowers numerous and inter- 
 mediate between the species named and A. odoratum. The 
 sepals and petals are white, tipped with rose-purple, the lip 
 white, marked with rich amethyst. A portion of Dr. Paterson's 
 collection was sold in 1883, realising 800, the plants bringing 
 large prices as Cattleya labiata Warned, 79 pseudo-bulbs 45 
 guineas, C. labiata 39 guineas, and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum 
 Walkerianum 37 guineas. 
 
 Plants of Ccelogyne cristata alba have been sold for large sums, 
 and it is said that Mr. W. Bull gave 200 for a plant of this 
 variety in the Gledhorn collection, though huge specimens of the 
 common variety have been sold for 10. 
 
53 
 
 This list of prices may be concluded with the following 
 recent sales. The collection of the late Mrs. M. J. Morgan, 
 Madison Square, New York, was sold by auction in October, 
 1885, but, though it is reputed to 'have cost 40,000, the pro- 
 ceeds of the sales did not amount to one-third of the sum, yet 
 some large prices were realised. The highest amount was 180, 
 given by Siebrecht and Wadley, New York, for Vanda Sanderiana. 
 Messrs. Veitch and Sons gave 150 for Cypripedium Morganise, 
 which was originally obtained from the Chelsea Nursery, and the 
 other principal prices were Vanda Lowi 80, Cattleya exoniensis 
 58, C. Skinneri 50, and Vanda Batemanni 20. At the sale 
 of the late Mr. Percival's orchids, February 2nd, 1886, the prin- 
 cipal prices (in guineas) were as follows: Ccelogyne cristata, 
 Chatsworth variety, 200 pseudo-bulbs, 17 ; Laelia anceps Perci- 
 valiana, 47; Cypripedium punctatum violaceum, 20; Cattleya 
 Mossias Arnoldiana, 32 ; Cattleya Percivaliana, 36 pseudo-bulbs, 
 80; Lselia purpurata alba, 113 pseudo-bulbs, 50; C. elegans alba, 
 50; C. anceps Percivaliana, go pseudo-bulbs, 100; Dawsoni, 17, 
 and Barkeri, 30. In April, 1886, Mr. Brownlow D. Knox, Caver- 
 sham, Reading, exhibited at South Kensington a remarkable 
 variety of Odontoglossum Pescatorei, with yellow flowers and 
 crimson spots. It was named Knox's variety, and was sold the 
 next day at Stevens' Rooms for 165, Baron Schroder being the 
 purchaser ; and ten days later the same Orchidist also purchased 
 a handsome crimson-spotted variety of Odontoglossum crispum 
 (Alexandras) for 160, at Protheroe's Rooms. 
 
 Some hybrid orchids have realised very high prices by private 
 sale, running up to 200 guineas, and an example of the most 
 valuable is Lcelia bella, with some of the Cypripediums, yet in 
 contrast with these abundance of useful and easily grown orchids 
 can now be purchased for a few shillings each, and for 5, an 
 interesting little collection can be obtained. General Catalogue 
 prices vary from 33. 6d- to 15 guineas, but orchids may be 
 purchased at lower prices than named, and the most costly 
 varieties are not quoted in the lists. We thus have a remarkable 
 contrast in the value of these plants, for while rare and beautiful 
 species, varieties, or hybrids, have never realised such high 
 prices as at the present time, never could " cool house" orchids 
 be procured so cheaply. As an illustration of the variability of 
 prices, the history of the rich crimson purple-tinted Dendrobium 
 nobile npbilius, as related by Mr. H. James, is noteworthy : 
 " The original plant of D. nobile nobilius, was bought at Steven's 
 Rooms in 1876, and was one of a bundle of twelve plants, which 
 cost I2s. It flowered in the imported pseudo-bulb early in 1877, 
 and was exhibited at Kensington. It was shortly afterwards sold 
 to Messrs, Rollisson for 5 guineas, by whom it was exceedingly 
 well grown, and flowered freely in 1879, when it was sent to the 
 
54 
 
 Ghent Show in extremely cold weather and nearly killed. In the 
 following autumn, I bought the apparently dead plant for 755., 
 and raised six small plants from the tops of the pseudo-bulbs." 
 Small plants still realise 10 guineas each, and larger ones 40 to 
 50. 
 
 DENDROBFUM NOBILE NOBILIUS. 
 
55 
 
 HYBRID O.RCHIDS. 
 
 THE hybrid Orchids obtained within the past forty years constitute an 
 important addition to the number of attractive cultivated forms, no le*s 
 than 125 having been raised in that period, and the majority are dis- 
 tinguished by characters amply sufficient to command the attention <-f all 
 who admire this variable family of plantp, some like Calanthe Veitchi 
 and Cypripedium Sedeni ranking amongst the most useful Orchids. Tbe 
 first recorded hybrid Orchid was one observed by M. Wed .1 ell on the 
 Continent about 1841, which was described as possessing a combination f 
 the characters of Aceras anthropophora and Orchis militarip, and was 
 therefore regarded as a probable natural hybrid between those species. 
 A.S Orchids were then coming much into favour, it is not surprising that 
 some observant cultivators should have given, what proved a difficult 
 matter namely, a little attention to raising them from seed, and though 
 several engaged in this, it appears that the principal success was attained 
 in the Glascevin Botanic Gardens, where from 1845 to 1850 numbers of 
 plants were so raised. De*n Herbert also experimented in artificial 
 hybridising amongst Orchids about the same time, but though he states 
 that pods were secured from crossing an Orchis with pollen from an 
 Ophrys, it does not seem that he succeeded in raising plants from the 
 seed. He, however, mentions having seedling Cattleyas, Bletias, Ophrys, 
 and Herminium. The first substantial results of such experiments were 
 reserved for Mr. Domi >y, who commenced hybridising in Messrs. Veitch 
 and Sons' nursery at Exeter in 1853, and first obtained some seedling 
 Uattleyas. Owing, however, to the quicker growth of some other seed- 
 lings whicn appemed subsequently, Calanthe Domini was the first to 
 flower in October 1856, and was followed by C. Veitchi in 1859. About 
 twenty others were selected from others which flowered in succeeding 
 years, and were found sufficiently distinct to merit new names. Since 
 then Mr. Seden has been remarkably successful in Messrs. J. Veitch and 
 Sons' nursery at Chelsea, where large numbers of seedlings have been 
 raised, and up to the present time over s'xty handsome hybrids have been 
 flowered and named. It is surprising that amateurs have done so little, 
 for comparatively few have paid any attention to the matter. Amongst 
 those, however, who have made^ome good additions to the list, must be 
 named Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P , Mr. R. Warner, Mr. J. C. 
 Bowring, Mr. J. C. Cookson, Mr. W. Swan, M. Alfred Bleu, and 
 Mr. Cross. 
 
 The following list conta'ns all the hybrids concerning which any 
 information could be obtained up to the present time, the seed-bearing 
 parent is named first, and the pollen parent second, in all Mr. Seden's 
 hybrids, and in other cases also where it could be ascertained. 
 
56 
 
 HYBEID. 
 
 Aerides hybridum . 
 Anoectochilus Dominii 
 Calanthe Dominii . 
 
 Veitchi . 
 Cattleya Brabantiae 
 
 Devoniensis 
 
 Dominii . 
 
 exouiensis 
 
 Felix 
 
 hybrida . 
 
 hybrida maculata 
 
 Manglesi. 
 
 Pilcheri . 
 
 Pilcheri alba . 
 
 quinquecolor . 
 
 Sidniana . 
 Cypripedium Dominii 
 
 Harrisianum . 
 
 vexillarium . 
 Dendrobium Dominii 
 Goody tra Veitchi . 
 Laeli i Veitchiana . 
 PLajus irrpratus . 
 
 inquilinus 
 
 ML DOMINY'S HYBRIDS. 
 
 PABENTS. 
 
 A. affine A. Fieldingi 
 A. xanthophyllus Goody era discolor 
 C. Masuca C. furcata 
 
 vestita Limatodes rosea 
 C. Loddigesi AckUndiae 
 
 crispa guttata 
 
 maxima amethystina 
 
 Mossise Laelia purpurata 
 
 crispa Begnelli 
 
 granulosa Harrisonise 
 
 guttata intermedia 
 
 Mosdse Loddigesi 
 
 crispa Perrini 
 
 crispa Perrini 
 
 Acklandise Forbesi 
 
 crispa granulosa 
 
 C. Pearcei caudatum 
 barbatum viLosum 
 barbatum Fairrieanum 
 
 D. nobile moniliforme 
 
 Goodyera discolor Aucectochilis Veitchi 
 Cattleya labiata C. crispa 
 P. grandifolius Calauthe vestita 
 vestitus Calanthe Masuca (?) 
 
 ME. SEDEN'S HYBRIDS. 
 
 Calanthe Itntiginosa 
 
 Sedeni . 
 Gattleya Amesiana 
 
 Chamberlaini . 
 
 Fausta 
 
 Marstersoniae . 
 
 Mardelli . 
 
 porphyrophlebia 
 
 triophthalma . 
 
 suavior . 
 
 Veitchiana 
 Bhysis Che soni . 
 
 Sedeni 
 
 Cjpripedium albo-pur- 
 pureum 
 
 calauthum 
 
 calurum . 
 
 cardiiiale. 
 
 euryandrum . 
 
 Germinyanum 
 
 grande . 
 
 Leeanum superbum 
 
 leucorrhodum . 
 
 lucidum . 
 
 Limatodes labrosa Calanthe Veitchi 
 
 Veitchi vestita 
 C. crispa maxima 
 
 Leopoldi C. Dowiana 
 
 Loddigesi exoaiensis 
 
 Loddigesi labiata 
 
 Bpeciosissima Devoniensis 
 
 intermedia superba 
 
 su^erba exomensis 
 
 Mendeli intermedia 
 
 crispa labiai a 
 C, bractescens aurea 
 Limminghi bract>.scena 
 
 C. Schlimi Dominii 
 biflorum Lowi 
 longifplium Sedeni 
 Sedeni Schlimi album 
 barbatum Stonei 
 villosum hirsutissimum 
 Roezli caudatum 
 insigne Maulei Spicerianum 
 Rotzli Schlimi album 
 villosum Lowi 
 
57 
 
 HYBBED. 
 
 Cypripedium macrop- 
 terum . . . 
 
 marmorophyllum . 
 
 Marshallianum . 
 
 microchilum . . 
 
 Morganise 
 
 nitens 
 
 cenanthum 
 
 superbum 
 
 porphyreum . 
 
 po'phyrochlamys . 
 
 porphyrospilum 
 
 pycnopterum . . 
 
 Schrcederse 
 
 Sedeni 
 
 Sed ni . 
 
 Sedeni candidulum . 
 
 selligerurn & majus 
 
 superciliare . 
 
 tessellatum 
 n porphyreum 
 
 Thibantianum . 
 
 vernixium . . 
 
 Winnianum . 
 Dendrobium endocharis 
 
 euosmum . 
 ; , leucopterum 
 
 micans 
 
 rhodostoma . . 
 
 splendidissimum . 
 Laelia bella . 
 
 callistoglossa . 
 
 Canhamiana . 
 
 flammea . 
 
 Pbilbrickiana . 
 
 Sedeni . . . 
 Masdeyallia Chelsoni . 
 
 Gairiana . 
 Pbajus irroratus pur- 
 
 pureus . 
 Phalsenopsis intermedia 
 
 Portei . 
 
 Zygopetalum penta- 
 chromum . 
 
 Sedeni 
 
 PAKE NTS. 
 
 Lowi Teitchi 
 
 Hooker barbatum 
 
 venustum pardinum concolor 
 
 Diveum Druryi 
 
 Yeitchi Stonei 
 
 villosum in.^igne Maulei 
 
 Harrisianum insigne Maulei 
 
 Harrisianum insigne Maulei 
 
 Roezli Schlimi 
 
 biflorum hirsutissimum 
 
 Lowi Hookerae 
 
 venustum Lowi 
 
 caudatum Sedeni 
 
 Schlimi longifolium 
 
 longifolium Schlimi 
 
 Schlimi album longifolium 
 
 barbatum laevigatum 
 
 barbatum Veitchi 
 
 barbatum concolor 
 
 barbatum concolor 
 
 Harrisianum insigne Maulei 
 
 Argus villosum 
 
 villosum Druryi 
 D. japonicum het"rocarpum 
 
 endocharis nobile 
 
 endocharis nobile 
 
 "Wardianum lituifl orum 
 
 Huttoni sanguiuolentum 
 
 aureum nobile 
 L. purpurata Cattleya labiata 
 
 purpurata 0. gigas 
 Cattleya Mossise L. purpurata 
 L. cinnabarina Pilcheri 
 Cattleya Acklandise L. elegans 
 
 superba L. Devoniensis 
 M. amabilis Veitchi 
 
 Veitchi Davisi 
 
 P. grandifolius Calanthe vebtita 
 P. amabilis rosea 
 
 Z. Mackayi maxillare 
 maxillare Mackayi 
 
 OTHER RAISERS' HYBRIDS. 
 
 Angulo \ media . A. Clowesi Ruckeri 
 
 Calanthe Alexander! C. Veitchi vestita rubro-oculata. 
 
 bella . . Turneri Veitchi 
 
 Cooksoni . Veitchi vestita luteo-oculata. 
 
 porphyrea . Limatodes labrosa C. vt stita rubro-ooulata 
 
 Sandhurstiana L. rosea C. vestita rubro-oculata 
 
58 
 
 HYBRIP. 
 
 Catt'eya calummata 
 
 Mitchell . 
 
 veriflora . 
 Cypripedium Arthuriamim 
 
 Aehburtonise . 
 
 cbloroneurum 
 
 conchiferum . 
 
 Crossianum 
 
 gemmiferum . 
 
 hybridum . 
 
 lo . 
 
 Laf oread ei 
 
 Leeanum 
 
 meirax . 
 
 melanophthalmum 
 
 politum . 
 
 Sallieri . 
 
 Seedling No. 1 
 
 stenophyllum . 
 
 Swanianum 
 
 Williamsianum 
 Dendrobium Ainsworth 
 
 Leechianum . 
 Masdevallia Fra^eri 
 Thunia Veitchiana 
 
 (Wrigleyana) 
 Zygopetalum Clayi 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 C. intermedia Acklandiae 
 
 quadricolor guttata Leopold! 
 
 labiata Trianaj (?) 
 C. Fairrieanum insigne 
 
 insigne barbatum 
 
 not recorded 
 
 caricinum Eoezli 
 
 venustum insigne 
 
 Hookerae purpuratum 
 
 Stonei barbatum 
 
 Argus Lawrencianum 
 
 Chantini barbatum 
 
 Spicerianum insigne punctatiesimnaa. 
 
 not recorded 
 
 barbatum superbum venustum 
 yillosum intigne 
 javanicum superbiens 
 Schlimi caricinum 
 Dayanum barbatum 
 villosum Harrisianum (?) 
 nobile aureum 
 nobile aureura 
 ignea Lindeni 
 
 Bensoniae Marshalliana 
 Z. crinitum maxillare 
 
 SUPPOSED NATURAL HYBRIDS. 
 
 Anguloa dubia 
 Cattleya Whitei . 
 Cceloglossum Erdingeri . 
 Gymnadenia intermedia 
 
 Strampfii 
 Lselia Crawshayana 
 
 Dormanniana 
 
 Leeana . 
 Nigritella brachystachya 
 
 Heufleti . 
 
 megastachya . 
 
 micrantha 
 Buaveolens 
 Odontoglossum Ander- 
 
 sonianum . 
 aspersum 
 baphicanthum 
 Coradinei 
 Dennisonise 
 Editbise . 
 elegans . 
 Galeottianum 
 bebraicum 
 
 A. um'flora Clow si 
 
 C. labiata Scbilltriana 
 
 C. viride Orcbis sambucina 
 
 G. conopsea odoratissima 
 
 G. odo atissima Coeloglossum albidum 
 
 L. albida anceps 
 
 Cattleya bicolor L. pumila 
 
 Cattleya marginata (?) 
 
 Gymradenia sub-conopsea N. nigra 
 
 or N. nigra N. suaveolens 
 
 G. super-conopsea N. nigra, or G. conopsea 
 
 N. suaveolens 
 N. nigra G. albida 
 N. nigra G. conopsea 
 
 0. crispum gloriosum 
 Rosti macu'atum 
 criepum odoratum 
 triumpbans odoratum 
 crispum luteo-purpureum 
 crispum Ander^onianum 
 cirrhosum cristatum 
 nebulosum Cervanted 
 
59 
 
 HYBRID. 
 
 Odontoglo^sum Hors- 
 tnanni . 
 
 Humeanum . 
 
 Leeanum 
 
 mulus 
 
 Murrellianum . 
 
 Pollettianum . 
 
 Ruckerianum . 
 
 Schroderianum 
 
 stellimicans 
 
 Winiamsianum 
 Orchis -lata . 
 
 ambigua . 
 
 Lorrnziana 
 
 Morio-papilionacea 
 
 pu pureo-militaris 
 
 Regeliana 
 
 Valesiaca 
 Phalaenopsis Casta 
 
 intermedia 
 
 leucorrhoda 
 
 Sanderiana 
 
 Valentini 
 
 Vcitchiana 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 Pescatorei lutep-purpureum 
 cordatum Rossi 
 
 luteo-purpureum 
 
 Pescatorei naBvium 
 
 crispum gloriosum 
 
 crispum Andersonianum 
 
 tripudians Pescaton i 
 
 Pescatorei triumphans 
 
 grande Schliperianum 
 0. Tax flora Morio 
 
 incarnata maculata 
 
 mascula pallens 
 
 Morio papilionscea 
 
 purpureo militaris 
 
 maculata G-ymnadenia odoratissima 
 0. globosa G. conopsea 
 P. Schill^riana am*biUs 
 
 rosea amabilis 
 
 Schilleriana amabilis 
 
 amabilis Schilleriana 
 
 Cornu-Cervi yiolacea 
 
 rosea Schilleriana 
 
 It will be seen from this list that * hile bybridisers have been very 
 successful in some genera they have not obtained many results in several 
 otber, and in a few they have hitherto failed to secure any hybrids. 
 Thus of Aerides, Anoe^tochilus, Goodyera, Phalsenopsis, and Tnunia'one 
 hybrid each has been raised. Of Chyt-is two, and Phajus three, of Ma&de- 
 vallia and Zyg^petalutn three each, of Lrelia ^even, Dendrobium and 
 Calanthe nine each, Cattleya twenty-four, and Cypripedium fifty-thre^ 
 nparly half the total number having been ob'ained in the lasit-named 
 genus, In the case of the Cattleyas Mr. H. J. Veit<-h has observed that 
 the " members of the labia f a group and also the Brazilian species with 
 two-leaved stems, as C. intermedia, C. Acklandige, &c., cross freely with 
 each other and the Brazilian Laelias ; but neither the Cattleyas nor the 
 Brazilian Lselias will cr ss fre. ly with the Mexican Laelias, such as 
 albida, autumnalis, majali3, and acuminata, except L. anceps." From 
 the same authority we learn that the East Indian Cypripediums, though 
 crossing readily with each other, do not cross so freely with the South 
 American Selenipediums ; and though plants have been raised from 
 crosses between these two sections, they have not flowered yet. No one 
 appears to have succeeded in flowering an artificially raised hybrid 
 Odontoglossum up to the present time, although so many are regarded as 
 probable natural hybrids. Mr. Cookson obtained some seedling Odonto- 
 glossums from a cross between O. gloriosum or 0. Uro-Skinneri and 
 0. crispum, but they subsequently died. The late Mr. Spyer*, when 
 gardener to Sir Trevor Lawrence, obtained seed from crosses between 
 O. vexillarium and other species, but he informed me that he could 
 obtain no seed from crosses between 0. vexillarium and the Miltonias ; 
 
60 
 
 and I believe it was from the same source that Mr. Bentham obtained 
 the statement he inserted in the " Genera Plantarum " to that effect, and 
 to which Mr. fl. J. Yeitch objected as contrary to their experience. He 
 has found that by crossing 0. vexillarium and Miltonia spectabilis seed 
 was produced, though it could not be secured from crosses with any other 
 Odontoglossum. It does not appear, however, that seedlings have been 
 raised in any case. 
 
 As examples of bigeneric hybrids we have crosses between Anoecto- 
 chilus and Goody era and vice versd, Laslia and Cattleya, Phajus and 
 
 Fi;?. 18. Zygopetalutn Clay! 
 
 Calanthe, Calanthe and Limatodes and the reverse, though in the last 
 instance Limatodes is now referred to the genus Calanthe, and Cattl eyas 
 and Las lias are very closely allied. Many strange crosses have been 
 made in Messrs. Veitch's nursery. Thus plants have been raised, but not 
 flowered, from cros-es between Cattleya Trianse and S 'phronitis grandi- 
 flora, C. Trianae and Brassavola Digbyana, and C. intermedia and 
 Sophrjnitis grandiflora. Capsules of apparently good seed have been 
 
Gl 
 
 had from crpgses between Acanthophippium Curtisi and Chysis bracte-cens, 
 Bletia hyacinthina and Calanthe Masuca, Chysis aurea and Zygopetalum 
 Sedeni, Odontoglossum bictonense and Z. maxillare, Z. Mackayi and 
 Lycaste Skinneri. Abundance of seed has also been secured by crossing 
 Z. Mackayi with OJontoglossums and other genera, but the seedlings 
 have invariably proved to be Z. Mackayi. 
 
 The principal hybrids mentioned in the list under Mr. Baden's were 
 raised by the following orchidists : 
 
 Anguloa media, by J. C. Bowring, Esq. ; Calanthe bella, though sent 
 out by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, was not raised in their nursery ; Calanthe 
 Alexander! and Cooksoni. by N. C. Cookson, Esq., Wylam-on-Tyne ; 
 Calanthe porphyrea, by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. ; Calanthe 
 sandhurs'iana, by Mr. P. H. Gosse, Sandhurst, Torquay; Cattleya calum- 
 mata, by Mr. Alfred Bleu, Paris ; C. Mitcheli, by Mr. Mitchell, gardener 
 to Dr. E, F. Ainsworth ; C. veriflora, origin unkno wn, bought as a seedling 
 at Stevens' Rooms by Sir Trevor Lawrence ; Cypripedium Ashburtoniw 
 and Crossianum, by Mr. Cross, gardener to Lady Ashburton, Melchet 
 Court, Romscy; C. lo, by N. C. Cookson, Eq.; C. Leeanum, by Sir 
 Trevor Lawrence ; C. chloroneurum, C. meirax, C. melanophthalmum, 
 C. politum, and C. Williamsianum, by R. Warner, Esq., Chelmsford ; 
 C. conchiferum, C. gemmiferum, and C. stenophyllum, by J. C. Bowring, 
 Esq. ; C. Swanianum, by Mr. W. Swan ; C. Laforcadei, by M. Bauer, 
 Paris; C. Sallieri, by M. Godefroy-Lebeuf [M. Bergman, in "Revue 
 Horticole," October, 1885] ; C. Seedling No. 1, M. Bleu, Paris ; Dendro- 
 bium Ainsworthi, by Dr. R. F. Ainsworth ; D. Leechianum, by Mr. W. 
 Swan, when gardener to W. Leech, Esq., Fallowfield, Manchester; 
 Masdevallia Fra-eri, by Mr. Fraser, Ddrncleugh, Aberdeen ; Thunia 
 Veitchiana or Wrigleyana, by Mr. George Toll, Manchester ; Zygopetalum 
 Clayi, by Colonel Clay, Bir'cenhead. 
 
 Tne natural hybrids are mostly introduced f jrms of ex >tic Orchids, 
 which are found to be so clearly intermediate between the species named 
 as parents, that they are regarded as the probable result of hybridisation 
 effected by insect agency. Some European forms are, however, included, 
 as in the genus Cceloglossum, Gymnadenia, Nigritella, and Orchis, which 
 have been noted and described by continental botanists. 
 
G2 
 
 ORCHID LITERATURE. 
 
 THE literature of Orchids is extensive but wide'y scattered through 
 botanical works, and the number of books devoted to the fami'y is not so 
 large as might be imagined. In the following list I have included all I 
 could gain any information about, also giving the titles of the principal 
 works containing coloured plates of Orch.1 s. Many woodcut illustrations 
 have also appeared in the horticultural periodicals, and a great many 
 species have been described by Reicbenbach in the Gardeners' Chronicle. 
 The chief authority for the genera is Lindley, whose characte s are 
 accepted for 114 out of ihe 334 genera enumerated in Hooker and Bentham's 
 " Genera Plantarum." Whilst Lindley was editor of Edwards' "Botanical 
 Register " many Orchids were figured and described in that work. Bate- 
 man's, Lindley's, and Warner's works are magnificent productions, but 
 necessarily very costly. 
 
 Aubert du Petit- Thouars. "Histoire des Orchid6es des trois lies 
 d'Afrique." Paris, 1822. 4to. 
 
 Baldwin, Henry. " Orchids of New England." 4to, sixty-two illustra- 
 tions. United States, America. 
 
 Bateman. J "Second Century of Orchidaceous Plants." Royal 4^o, 
 100 coloured plates from Curtis's "Botanic 1 Magazine." London, 1861-70. 
 ' Monograph of Odontoglossum." Thirty co:onred plates and wood en- 
 gravings. Imperial folio. London. 1864-74. ' Orchidaceae of Mexico and 
 Guatemala." Elephant folio. Londor., 1837-43. 
 
 Bauer, Franz, and Notes by J. Liadky. " Illustrations of Orehideoua 
 Plants," London, 1830-33. Folio. 
 
 Beer, J. G. " Praktische Studien an der Familie der Orchideen." 
 Vienna, 1854. 8vo. 
 
 Bentham, G. Pages 281-360, "Notes on Orchidese, ' Journal of the 
 Linnean Society, vol. xviii. 1881. 
 
 Bentham, <?., and Hooker, J. D. "Orchids." "Genera Plantarum," 
 vol. iii., part 2, pp. 460-636. 334 genera. London, 1883. 
 
 Breda. "Geneva et Species Orchidearum et Asclepiadearum Javae." 
 Folio. 1827 (PritzeK 
 
 Britten, J., and W. H. Gower. " Orchids for Amateurs." London, 1878. 
 8vo. 
 
 Blume." Collection des Orchidees les plus remarquabks de 1'Archipel 
 Indien." Paris, 1864. Folio. "Flora Javse. series nova, Orchideaa." Folio. 
 1858. " Javaanische Orcbideen." Batavia, 1825. Folio. 
 
 Brook $ Co. 1 ' Descriptive Catalogue of the Fairfield Orchids." 8vo. 
 1872. 
 
 Burbidge, F. W." Cool Orchids, and How to Grow Them." London. 
 Three coloured plates, crown 8vo. 1874. 
 
 Castle, Lewis. " Orchids, Structure and History." 18 Q 5. Second 
 edition, " Structure, History and Culture." 1386. London. Crown 8vo. 
 
 Curtis's Botanical Magazine. London, 1786 to the present time. 6872 
 plates. Published monthly. 
 
 Darwin, Charles." Fertilisation of Orchids." London. Fir^t edition 
 1862. 8vo. Second edition 1877. 8vo. 
 
63 
 
 Edward*' Botanical Register. London, 1815-1847. 
 
 Fitzgerald, B. >.' Australian Orchids." 1874-1885. Sydney, New 
 South Wales. Folio. 
 
 Henshall, John. " Practical Treatise on the Cultivation of Orchidaceous 
 Plants." Royal 8 vo. 1815. In German 1846. - 
 
 Hooker, W. J. " Ceatury of Orchidaceous Plants." London, 1846. 4to. 
 
 Jennings, S. " Orchids, and How to Grow Them in India and Other 
 Tropical Countries." Forty- jight coloured plat-.s. London. Royal 4to. 
 1875. 
 
 Lexarza, J. " Orchidianum opusculum." Forms part of "La Llave 
 and Lexarza/' Nov. rtg. desc. fasc. 11, with separate rrgister. 
 
 Linden, J. "Lindenia." " Pescatorea, Iconographie des Orchidees de la 
 Collection de M. Pesc.itore au Cuateau de la Celle, St. Cloud." Brussels, 
 1855-1860. Folio. 
 
 Lindley, J. 'Folia chidacea, Enumeration of the Known Speci?s of 
 Orchids" Nine par's (all published). London, 1852-59. Svo. "Genera 
 and Species of Orchidaceous Plants." London. 8vo. 1830-40. " Sertum 
 Orchidaceum." London. Folio. 1838. 
 
 Loddiges' Botanical Cabinet. 2000 plates, many of Orchids. London, 
 1818-1833. 
 
 I yons, J. C. "Management of Orchideous Plants." With catalogue of 
 1000' London, 1845. 8vo. 
 
 Miner, H. S." Orchids, the Royal Family of Plants." Twenty-four 
 coloured plates. Folio. 1885. 
 
 Moore, Thomas. " Illustrations of Orchidaceous Plants. ' London, 
 1851. 8vo. 
 
 Mutel, A." Orchidees Nouv< lies." Paris, 1 842. 4to. 
 
 Paxton's Magazine of Botany. London, 1834-1849. 
 
 Puydt, K. de. '' Les Orchidees." Fifty coloured plates, 244 engravings. 
 Royal 8vo. Paris, 1880. 
 
 Band, E. S. " Orchids." New York, 1876. 8vo. 
 
 Reichenbach.fil H. G." Xenia Orchidacea." Leipzig, 1858. 4to. 
 
 Richard, M. AcliHle. "Monographic des Orchidees des lies de France 
 et de Bourbon." Paris, 1828 4to. ' Mono graphie des Orchidees recueilles 
 sur la Chaine des Nilgherries par M. Perrottct." Pari>>, 1841. 4 r ,o. 
 
 Richard Achille and Galeotti, H" Monographic des Orchidees Mexi- 
 caines." 4:0. 1884. " Orchid ographie Mexicaine." 8vo. 1845. 
 
 Richard, L. C. "Do Orchides europeis annotatipnes." Paris, 1817. 
 
 Rodrigues, J. Barboza. " Structure des Orchidees Rio de Janeiro." 
 1883. " Genera et Species Orchidearum novarum Sebastianopolis." 1882. 
 
 Vriese, W. H. de. "Illustrations d'Orchidees." La Haye, 1854. Fol. 
 
 Walpers' Annales Bofanices Systematical. Tomua 6, Lipsiee, 1861, pp. 167 
 to 933 Orchid >s, by H. G. Reichenbach. 
 
 Warner, B. "Select Orchidaceous Plants." First series. London. 
 Folio. 1862. Second series, 1865. Third series, 1877. 
 
 Williams, B. S. '' Orchid Manual." London. First edition, 1852. 
 Sixth edition, 1885. 660 pp. 
 
 Willi mis, Warner, and Moore. 1 '- Orchid Album." London. Eoyal 4to. 
 Monthly since 1881. Four plates in each number, 
 
64 
 
 HINTS ON ORCHID CULTURE. 
 
 As the following hints on the requirements of Orchids are chiefly 
 intended for amateurs or beginners, the instructions have been made 
 as brief and simple as possible, the object being to convey such in- 
 formation as will enable inexperienced persons to overcome the few 
 difficulties most frequently encountered, and to guide them in the 
 selection of easily grown species. The rapidly increasing popularity 
 of Orchids has been materially assisted by the simpHfication of their 
 culture, for so long as it was tupposed that they could only be grown 
 in highly heated houses specially constructed for them they were 
 confined to few establishments. When, however, it was found what 
 a large number could be successfully grown in lower temperatures in 
 ordinary houses, the number of their patrons was speedily augmented. 
 The increased demand caused larger numbers to be imported, and the 
 result was a considerable reduction in the prices, which has placed 
 them within the means of thousands who a few years ago would have 
 regarded them as quite beyond their reach. It'has been proved that 
 a great part of the difficulty in Orchid culture was imaginary, and 
 that with ordinary care the majority of species can be grown satis- 
 factorily. Some, of course, cannot be managed so readily, but these 
 need not be included in small collections, as there are plenty of others 
 to select from without them. Still, it is necessary to observe closely 
 the peculiarities of the plants, and by arranging them in suitable 
 positions in a house numbers of very difftrent habit may often be 
 accommodated as well as if several structures were at command. 
 Plants frequently evince partialities for particular positions, and 
 while thriving in one part may refuse to make progress in another a 
 yard or two away. Such facts as these can only be learnt by obser- 
 vation, and success is largely dependant upon them. It is also 
 highly important that the plants be always clean, or the best culture 
 will be nullified, and one of the most experienced orchidists of the 
 present time attributes the health of his plants mainly to keeping 
 them free from insects. With close attention to these, and similar 
 apparently small matters to be afterwards referred to, no one need 
 fear undertaking the cultivation of the most useful Orchids. 
 
 PROCURING ORCHIDS. 
 
 ESTABLISHED PLANTS. If it is intended to commence with a 
 collection of established Orchids it is advisable to purchase small 
 
THE PHAL/ENOPSIS HOUS 
 (From the Journal of Horticultn 
 
LT OLDFIELD, BICKLEY 
 
 ige 195, Vol. X., 3rd Scries.) 
 
65 
 
 plants from any nurstrym. n who makes them a specialty. This is 
 advantageous in several ways. Strong plants can te obtained that 
 will not be so likely to disappoint the amateur cultivator. Any 
 varieties or species required can be insured being true to name, and 
 the plants having been properly potted will give little trouble the first 
 year. They can also be purchased at prices to suit all pockets now, 
 and the expenditure of from 5 to 10 will procure a varied little 
 collection to start with, the larger amounts being chiefly required for 
 the varieties or specimens of greater size. In the former case it is 
 preferable to state what is required and the amount intended to be 
 spent, leaving the selection to the nurseryman unless the buyer has a 
 special liking for certain spec'es. When a large collection is being 
 formed for several houses it will have to be decided whether it shall 
 contain as great a number of species and varieties as possible, or 
 whether there shall be a quantity of some of the leading useful 
 Orchids, such as Odontoglossum crispum (0. Alexandra). In all cases 
 it is preferable to form collections gradually, commencing with a 
 small number and increasing them as the cultivator's knowledge 
 advances. 
 
 IMPORTED PLANTS. Some amateurs prefer starting with a 
 number of imported Orchids, and though it is longer before the 
 flowers are obtained, with some probable losses in the meantime, yet 
 there is the chance of obtaining novel varieties amongst others of in- 
 different merit, and this alone induces people to purchase them. 
 Imported Orchids may at times be procured very cheaply, and one 
 amateur states that he never gives more than a shilling each for 
 Odontoglossums and four or five shillings for Cattleyas, Laslias, &c., 
 with others in like proportion. Thi?, however, necessitates a frequent 
 attendance at the sales, with a thorough knowledge of the plants. 
 Importations vary considerably apart from the value of the species or 
 varieties, for the condition in which the plants are received makes a 
 surprising difference in their subsequent progress. Plants with com- 
 pnratively fresh green leaves and stout pseudo-bulbs are worth very 
 much more than those that have lost the greater part of their foliage, 
 have v> ithered exhausted pseudo-bulbs, and perhaps arrived at a time 
 of year when they are likely to suffer from frost. These points have 
 to be considered in purchasing imported Orchids, and there is so much 
 uncertainty about it that it is far better to rely upon established 
 plants for commencing and add to the collection afterwards as 
 desired. 
 
 When, however, imported Orchids are obtained they require some 
 care to get them into condition for potting or basketing. They must 
 first be well washed in tepid water, and then be placed in a shady 
 position in a temperature from 50 to 60, the Odontoglossums of the 
 0. crispum character requiring the coolest place, and the Cattleyas 
 and Dendrobiums the warmest. Those who impoit Orchids in large 
 
66 
 
 quantities u-ually devote a hous3 to them, where they are either 
 epiead out upon a slightly moist stage or hung from the roof, the air 
 being kept in a moist condition. The object is to induce the growths 
 to " plump up," as it is termed ; and wh^n this has been effected and 
 the roots are showing free^ they can be potted in the usual way. 
 When small numbers are being"established the best way is to place 
 the plants in pots of rough clean potsherds and charcoal. The neck of 
 the plant must be well elevated, and some j refer laying the plants 
 upon the surface until roots are formed. Mr. J. Douglas has in this 
 way succeeded admirably with some Orchids ordinarily considered 
 difficult to establish. Most of the non-pseudo- bulbous Orchids like 
 the Cypripediums may be potted as described, and all seem better 
 than when laid upon stages, as water can be supplied more freely. 
 The priiicipal point is to give sufficient moisture to induce root- 
 growth without causing any portion of the plant to decay, as it is 
 very liable to do after its long journey and the severe drying it has 
 had. 
 
 STRUCTURES FOB ORCHIDS. 
 
 The fanciful idea thtt peculiarly constructed and expensive houses 
 of various kinds were essential for Orchids having been dispelled, it 
 was so >n found that much less depended upon the form of the 
 structure than had been long imagined, and that if the requi-ite heat 
 could be provided the plants would succeed in houses of all kinds 
 and in all positions. The primary consideration is insuring the full 
 exposure of the plants to light with sufficient means at command to 
 break the force of the sun in the hottest weather. In our climate 
 this is most important, for it must be remembered that exotic Orchids, 
 even those needing the coolest treatment, came principally from 
 equatorial regions, where, though at great elevations, they are exposed 
 to a nearly vertical sun during a great portion of the year. The in- 
 fluence of light upon Orohids is astonishing ; it matures the f /liage 
 and growths or pseudo-bulbs and lays the foundation for successful 
 flowering another season, for with these, as most other plants, much 
 depends upon the ripening of the current year's growth. It is 
 advisable to employ houses with roofs that offer the least obstruction 
 to light, those having large heavy rafters or broad laps being avoided ; 
 and it is absolutely necessary that the glass be kept clean at all times. 
 Some advocate close glazing, relying upon the u-^e of the ventilators 
 for admitting the requisite amount of air, but in the cool houses for 
 Odontoglossums and Masdevallias a kind of permanent ventilation is 
 provided by leaving a space between the bottom pane of glass and the 
 eave of about one-eighth of an inch, the glass overlapping the wood 
 sufficiently to throw off the water ; and in very severe weather these 
 spaces can be stopped by pieces of wood. There is a large cool house 
 at Downside, Leatherhead, with a roof constructed in this way. and it 
 
67 
 
 is rarely found necessary to use the plugs mentioned. For tropical 
 Orchids of the Cattleya and Phalsenopsis type the ordinary close 
 g'az'mg is preferable, and the ventilation can be satis factorily 
 arranged in other ways, as will be described under that head. It is 
 important to avoid drips, as these are often destructive to Orchids, 
 dn<l the strongest plants soon suffer if exposed to them. Rafters are 
 grooved the whole length to take off the condensed moisture that 
 accumulates along the bars, but the most effective method is to have 
 a narrow piece of zinc screwed or nailed to the under side of the 
 rafters, and bent so as to form, a little channel that will readily 
 convey the condensed moisture to the lowest part of the roof. 
 
 The houses may be epan-roofed or lean-to, according to con- 
 venience, and the aspect is not of very much importance, though the 
 former may preferably run north and south for tropical Orchids, thus 
 giving an east and west aspect for the two slopes, lean-tos for a 
 similar purpose running east and west, with the slope to the south, or 
 for cool Orchids to the north. A north aspect is not essential for 
 cool Orchids. East or west, or indeed any aspect except direct south, 
 can be made to suit them ; bat the more exposed these plants are to 
 the rays of the sun in summer the greater the attention they will 
 need in supplying them with water, nnd it is also frequently difficult 
 to prevent the temperature rising unduly high; otherwise they 
 must have the lightest position possible, and dark corners, or 
 those much shaded by trees, should be avoided. Houses of 
 moderate breadth and height are the best for most Orchids, but 
 Cattleyas and Lselias thrive in lofty spacious structures better 
 than other plants, and seem to prefer such houses, as can be 
 seen in the cases of the two magnificent Cattleya houses at Mr. VV. 
 Lee's and Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons', the latter being probably the 
 largest house devoted to Orchids in this country. It is 132 feet long, 
 22 feet wide, and 11 feet high in the centre ; and the plants are all 
 in capital condition. In private collections, however, some of the 
 best grown plants are seen in small houses, and for cool Orchids 
 they are now generally employed with the roofs pitching on to 
 the eaves nearly level with the side stage, thus dispensing 
 with side lights. For small-growing Odontoglossums and Masde- 
 vallias these are very suitable, but for taller plants and in 
 warmer houses side lights are advisable, as they give greater spaoe for 
 arranging them and admit more light. A span-roofed house intended 
 for a large miscellaneous collection of Orchids should be in two or 
 more divisions according to its size, and the kinds of plants that 
 are to be culiivated having the warmest division at the boiler end, 
 and the coolest can be employed for Odontoglossums or plants in 
 flower, as the blooms last much longer in a lower temperature and 
 less moisture. A well built lean-to frame against the side of such a 
 house can be used for Odontoglossums if sufficient piping be supplied 
 
to prevent the temperature falling below 40 in the winter, and in 
 several gardens they are so grown with excellent results, the plants 
 being placed upon a bed of sifted ashes and carefully looked after to 
 prevent the depredations of slugp. 
 
 When houses are set apart for Orchids the staging to be employed 
 requires some consideration. The plants need a constant moisture 
 round the roots and foliage when in growth, and cool-house Orchids 
 must have it at all times. This i- provided in various waj s. In some 
 cases the stage is constructed o. <date slabs with iron supports, and 
 upon it is placed a layer of fie pebbles, spar, shells, small coke, or 
 coal, the chief objection to the- -wo last being their dull appearance, 
 though they are now much employed in nurseries. Whatever 
 material is selected it must be kept constantly moist by syringing or 
 otherwise, and the plants are either stood direct upon the material or 
 elevated on inverted pots. In Messrs. J. Laing & Co.'s nursery 
 corrugated zinc is now generally employed as staging for Orchids 
 and other plants, being covered with a layer like that described. It 
 
 is very durable, and forms a use 
 ful storehouse of moisture, while 
 preventing any undue accumula- 
 tion. Open wooden stages are 
 frequently placed over the solid 
 stages and the plants arranged 
 on these, where, if the supports 
 are isolated ly means of little 
 cups kept filled with water, as is 
 now practised in some of the best 
 collections, there is no danger 
 from slugs, woodlice, or other 
 pests of that character unless 
 they are introduced in the soil 
 with the plants. In warm houses 
 the lower stages are often planted 
 with Panicum, small Ferns, Sela- 
 ginellas, &c., which have a pleas- 
 ing appearance and serve more- 
 over to preserve a healthily 
 moist atmosphere. They are 
 sometimes objected to as har- 
 bouring insects, but with the 
 double t-tage there is nothing to 
 be feared in that respect. For 
 
 Pig. 14. An Orchid Case. 
 
 such houses as that at Oldfield, Bickley, where the Phalaenopses are 
 nearly all suspei/.ded from the roof, it is a great improvement and 
 very beneficial, When central s'ages are employed they are usually 
 of open lattice Selves, over tanks or beds of some material, old 
 
69 
 
 leaves being occasionally used as the moisture-holding substance. 
 In many houses, especially those for Od mtoglossurns, tanks are 
 constructed on each side of the path under the stages to serve as 
 reservoirs of rain water, and to provide a continual supply of moisture 
 in the air. If intended merely for the latter purpose they are 
 usually only shallow troughs, 4 to 6 inches deep. Paths can be 
 formed as desired, those of red or ornamental tiles having the bett 
 appearance, but those of any loose material, or even of the earth 
 itself, are equally good as regards the health of the plants. 
 
 From the for going remarks it will be seen that houses can be 
 easily alttred ai.d fitted to suit Orchids ; but in some gardens it may 
 not be convenient to go to that length, and the houses must be 
 utilised as they are. This need not deter anyone from commencing 
 the culture of Oichids, for some of the best can be grown with other 
 plants For instance, the ordinary stove will accommodate a far 
 greater number of tropical Orchids than is usually supposed. Vineries 
 or Peach houses where forcing is proceeding exactly suit numbers, 
 such as Dendrobium Lobi'e ; and a warm conservatory, which in some 
 places is maintained at a temperature intermediate between that of a 
 stove and a greenhouse, is admirably adaoted for many Orchids 
 when in flower ; anl we have seen some extremely pretty effects 
 produced by the tasteful grouping of Deridrobiums, Oncidiums, 
 Odontoglossums, Cyp:ipediums, and even Phalsenopses, with Ferns 
 and graceful foliage plants. At Furzedown, Tooting, the residence of 
 C. Seeley, Esq , the gardener, Mr. Laing, has for many years 
 made groups of this character a special feature in the conserva- 
 tory early in the season. Cucumber and Melon houses, Piue pits, 
 forcing houses, propagating houses, warm frames, and other structures 
 afford abundant space and cjnvenience for the majority of heat- 
 loving Orchids, the only house really unsuited for such plants being 
 the greenhouse, in which the atmosphere is too dry and the plants too 
 much exposed to draughts to thrive. 
 
 An instance was given some time ago in the Journal of Horticul- 
 ture, showing how an amateur had succeeded in growing Orchids in a 
 small case erected on a lead outside a window, whioh is worth notice 
 as illustrating how easily Orchids can be accommodated. A diagram 
 of this is given in fig. 14 which will be understood from the following 
 explanation : a, the case 6 feet long by 3 feet wide ; &, the window 
 of the sitting room ; c t glass door with 6 inches between it and the 
 window, in order to prevent damp entering the room ; d t d, venti- 
 lators - r e, body of the case 6 inches deep, filled with sand, the bottom 
 being well drained ; /, /, hot- water pipes. The ventilators were 
 wooden shutters 18 inches long and 6 inches wide, the space opposite 
 these inside being covered with a woollen Let on a frame to filter the 
 air as it passed through. In this miniature structure with liberal 
 supplies of water the owner succeeded in grow'ng the following 
 
70 
 
 Orchids in a smoky district of London. Aerides crispum, A. virens, 
 Aganisia pulchella, Brassavola acaulis, Broughtonia sanguinea, 
 Calanthe vestita, Camarotis purpurea, Coelogyne cristata ; Den- 
 drobiums formosum, Lowi, pulchellum, Jenkinsi ; Huntleya margi- 
 nata, Laeliopsis domingensis, Peri&teria elata, Phalaenopsis amabilis 
 and P. granriflora, Saccolabium curvifolium and miniatum, Sobralia 
 macrantha, Sophronitis grandiflora, Stanhopeas aurea, insignis and 
 tigrina, and Vanda suavis. 
 
 A KANGE OF ORCHID HOUSE& The plan appended represents a 
 range erected for the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P., at High- 
 bury, Moseley, Birmingham, by Mr. Hope, Lionel Street, Birmingham, 
 and is so well designed that it deserves mention here. The plan is 
 drawn to a scale of 32 feet to an inch, the range runs east and west, 
 the houses are span-roofed, and are heated by two " Climax " boilers. 
 1 , The mansion ; 2, Conservatory ; 3, Stokehole ; 4, Fernery ; 5, 
 Stove ; 6, East Indian Orchids ; 7, Cattleyas ; 8, Calanthes and 
 Phalaenopses ; 9, Orchid show house ; 10 to 14, Miscellaneous plants ; 
 15 and 16, Orchids ; 17, Primulas ; 18, Odontoglossums ; 19, Poultry 
 sheds ; 20 } Glazed corridor connecting all the houses. 
 
72 
 
 ORCHIDS IN VINERIE?. Some reference has already been made to 
 the adaptability of vineries for many Orchids, but it deserves more 
 particular attention. In ordinary early houses ihe Vines are started 
 at a convenient time for starting the Orchids also. The temperature 
 and moisture suitable for one is equally suitable for the other, and 
 later on when the Grapes have been cut and the Vines are resting 
 can be made the resting season of the Orchids. Many fine specimens 
 have been grown in this way, and some of the most remarkable were 
 those exhibited some years ago by Mr. L. Temple, then gardener to 
 W. G. Joy, Esq., Headingley, I eeds. The success of the treatment 
 may be judged from the following particulars of the principal 
 plants : Cattleya crispa superba, 4 feet in diameter, fifty blooms ; 
 C. Harrisonias violacea, 3 feet in diameter ; C. crispa, 3 feet in 
 diameter, thirty flowers ; Odontoglossum grande, 2 feet in diameter, 
 forty-one flowers ; Dendrobium nobile, 4 feet in diameter, 400 
 blooms ; Miltonia Clowesi, 3 feet in diameter, 100 blooms ; M. specta- 
 bilis, 3 feet in diameter, forty-nine flowers ; Oncidium flexuoFum, 
 4 feet in diameter, forty spikes ; Phajus grandifolius, 4 feet in 
 diameter, thirty spikes ; Cypripedium insigne, 3 feet in diameter, 
 forty flowers ; and Dendrobium densifl' rum, forty-four spikes. Most 
 of these were grown in tubs 2 fet t 6 inches wide and 1 foot deep. 
 These were exceptionally fine specimens, but all the following have 
 been found to thrive with similar treatment :-Anguloas Clowesi, 
 Ruckeri, uniflora ; Arpophyllum giganteum ; Barkerias elegans, Lind- 
 leyana, Skinneri, spectabilis ; Brassavola glauca, Brassia yerrucosa ; 
 Cattleyas citrina, Harrisonia?, crispa, and others ; Ccelogyne cristata ; 
 Cymbidium eburneum, giganteum, Hookerianum, Mastersi ; Cypri- 
 pediums insigne, Schlimi, Sedeni, venustum, and many others ; 
 Dendrobiums nobile, densiflorum, thyrsiflcrum, chryeanthum, Hilli, 
 gpeciosum, Wardianum, Pierardi, and others ; Epidendrums amabile, 
 aromaticum, macrochilum, vitellinum ; Laelias albida, acuminata, 
 autumnalis, majalis, supeibiens ; Lycaste aromatica, cruenta, fkinneri ; 
 Masdevallias coccinea, Harryana ; M; xillarias aromaticfl, grandiflora, 
 Harrisom*, venusta ; Odoutoglcssums Alexandras, citrosmum, cordatum, 
 gloriosum, Lindleyanum, Pescatorei, naevium ; Phalsenopsis pulchel- 
 lum, Uro-Skinneri ; Oncidiums bifolium, crigptim, incurvum, leuccchi. 
 lum, ornithorhynchum, serratum ; Pleione humilip,lagenaria, maculata, 
 Wallichiana ; Trichopilia tortilis ; Zyopetalums crinitum, Mackayi, and 
 maxillare. To these were afterwards added A erides cdoratum and cris- 
 pum Warneri ; Calanthes vestita and veratrifolia ; Catileyas elegans, 
 intermedia, Skinneri, MossiaB, labiata, and Trianas ; Dendrobiums 
 mouiliforme and formosum ; Laslias anceps and purpurata ; Odontp- 
 glcssum Alexandras, with Stanhopeas tigrina, oculata, and insignia. 
 It may be remarked that the coolest position should be assigned to 
 the Masdevallias and Odontoglossums at the forcing period of the 
 year, and for this reason they are better in late vineries than in early 
 
73 
 
 onep, as the former are especially impatient of too much artificial heat. 
 Some crchidists are, however, now advocating higher temperatures 
 for these plants, giving the minimum as 50, or preferably 55 ; but 
 something depends upon the situation and style of house, for very 
 
 food plants are grown where the temperature in winter is allowed to 
 all to 45 or even 40. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. Since Orchids are found in such widely varied 
 districts it can be readily understood that with other conditions the 
 temperatures to which they are exposed differ considerably. In 
 cultivation, however, we are compelled to group the plants as nearly 
 as possible according to their respective requirements as regards 
 heat. Nurserymen and wealthy amateurs who have extensive 
 collections commonly devote houses to each of the larger genera, 
 structures being appropriated to Cattleyas, Lselias, Dendrobinms, 
 Cypripediums, Phalaennpses, Vandas, Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, 
 &c. ; but in smaller establishments it is seldom that more than three 
 houses can be used for Orchids alone ; and all that need the protection 
 of glass can be readily grown in those by regulating the temperature. 
 Thus the warmest house (day temperature of the year 65 C to 80) 
 would contain the Orchids from the tropical regions of the Old World, 
 especially the East Indies, the Malayan Archipelago, and adjoining 
 countries on the main land. An intermediate house (day temperature 
 of the year 60 to 75) would be used for the tropical Orchids of 
 America, comprising the Cattleyas, Lselias, and other plants from 
 Brazil and the lower parts of Mexico. The third house (day 
 temperature of the year 50 to 65) would answer for most of the 
 Odont' glossums and Matdevallias, with other plants from high 
 regions in tropical countries. All indoor Orchids can be satisfactorily 
 grouped in these three divisions, and in the following notes they will 
 be referred to as the warm house, intermediate house, and cool house. 
 It should be observed that in general practice there has been a great 
 reduction in the temperatures for Orchids, and some very experienced 
 growers, like Dr. H. Paterson of Bridge of Allan, rely exclusively 
 upon sun heat for the higher summer temperatures, and at that season 
 frequently have no artificial heat. There can be no doubt that 
 highly heated houses during the winter when we are compelled to 
 rest the majority of our Orchids is exceedingly injurious, weakening 
 them and rendering them precocious in flowering, and much more 
 liable to the attacks of insects. If strong growth is made and wtll 
 ripened under plentiful sun heat and free ventilation Orchids will 
 endure a much lower temperature than is usually supposed, and wil 
 be far more satisfactory than when roasted, ca they were in the eaily 
 stages of their culture. As a general guide to the temperature of 
 the year for Orchid houses the following table, which w r as included 
 in the paper read by Mr. James O'Brien at the Orchid Conference 
 in 1885, is very useful : 
 
74 
 
 TABLE OP TEMPERATURES FOR ORCHID HOUSES. 
 
 Months. 
 
 Waim Honse. 
 East Indian. 
 
 Cattleva, or Inter- 
 mediate House. 
 
 Cool, or Odonto- 
 glossi m House. 
 
 January 
 
 Day 
 
 Dpereps. 
 6570 
 65 70 
 65-70 
 65-70 
 70 75 
 
 Night 
 Degrees. 
 60 
 60 
 60 
 60 
 65 
 70 
 70 
 70 
 70 
 65 
 60 
 60 
 
 D*j 
 
 Decrees. 
 60-65 
 60 -65 
 60-65 
 60-65 
 65 70 
 7075 
 7080 
 70 80 
 
 Night 
 Degrees. 
 
 5!) 
 
 55 
 55 
 55 
 60 
 65 
 65 
 65 
 65 
 60 
 55 
 55 
 
 Dny 
 D gr es. 
 50 55 
 
 Night 
 Degrees. 
 45 
 45 
 50 
 50 
 55 
 55 
 55 
 55 
 55 
 55 
 50 
 45 
 
 
 50 55 
 55 60 
 55 60 
 60 65 
 
 March 
 
 April . . . . 
 
 May 
 
 June 
 
 7>-80 
 75-85 
 75-85 
 7o- 80 
 70-75 
 65-70 
 6570 
 
 60-6* 
 60 70 
 
 Julv 
 
 
 60 70 
 60 6) 
 
 September 
 
 70-75 
 65-70 
 60 6S 
 60-65 
 
 October 
 
 60 65 
 
 November 
 
 55-60 
 5055 
 
 December 
 
 
 Amateurs are often puzzled as to the quantity of piping to be 
 used in a house to maintain a particular temperature ; and though 
 these matters are best entrusted to horticultural builders, who will 
 give due consideration to the position, exposure, and other circum- 
 stances bearing on the point, yet a few hints may be useful as a 
 guide Many formula are given for the purpose of calculating the 
 approximate number of feet of piping necessary, but they are all 
 somewhat perplexing and occasionally misleading. The following, 
 based on a table by Mr. F. A. Fawkes, has the merit of simjlicity, 
 and it is, moreover, as nearly correct as any calculation of the kind 
 can be. The length of 4-inch piping named is that needed for each 
 1000 cubic feet of internal atmospheric contents, and the temperatures, 
 as elsewhere in these notep, are given in degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
 Warmest house, 65 to 80. Lean-to houses, 55 ft. to 65 ft. 
 Spans, 60 ft. to 70 feet. 
 
 Intermediate house, 60 to 75. Lean-to houses, 50 ft. to 60 ft. 
 Spans, 55 ft. to 65 f r. 
 
 Cool house, 50 to 65. Lean-to houses, 40 ft. to 50 ft. 
 Spans, 45 ft. to 55 ft. 
 
 These figures practically correspond with what is usually recom- 
 mended for span-roof houses of good size namely, warm house, four 
 rows of pipes in each side ; intermediate house, three rows ; and cool 
 house, two rows, and from them an idea can be gained as to what 
 extent of piping is. needed, but it is always advisable to have too 
 much than too little, as is proved in houses of all kinds, whether 
 devoted to plants or fruits. The greater the radiating surface the 
 more regular the temperature, and the less injurious it is to the plants 
 in severe weather when it may be necessary to keep the fires going 
 briskly 
 
75 
 
 It may be observed that if a few particulars are known respecting 
 the habitat of newly introduced Orchids it is not difficult to provide 
 for their requirements. The first point is to ascertain the country and 
 latitude, then the altitude, and finally any other circumstances, such 
 as whether the position is exposed or shaded, and in the case of 
 terrestrial Orchids the character of the soil in which they are growing. 
 The rule usually given for calculating the depression of temperature 
 in ascending mountains is to allow a fail of 1 Fahr. for every 300 
 to 350 feet of altitude, but the depression is more rapid in the higher 
 regions. Thu in the tropics, where the temperature at the ground level 
 might be 80, at an eleva'ion of 6 to 7000 feet would be estimated to 
 be 55 to 60. This is, however, necessarily influenced to a great 
 extent by the position of the land, whether sloping towards the sun or 
 not, also whether the mountains are near the sea or inland ; but an 
 approximate idea may be gained of what the plants need. 
 
 CULTURAL MATERIALS. 
 
 Good results in plant culture are largely dependent upon the soil 
 employed for them, and too little attention is often paid to the 
 subject. For Orchids it is particularly important, and a few notes on 
 the principal materials necessary may be useful. 
 
 PEAT. This is a well-known substance used extensively for hard- 
 wooded plants, Heaths, &c. ; and for the majority of Orchids it is 
 indispensable. It varies greatly in its character, depending chiefly 
 upon the nature of the soil where it is obtained and the roots of which 
 it is composed. In some places it consists mainly of the roots of 
 grasses and a black soil derived from the decomposition of vegetation, 
 and is then termed bog peat ; in others it chiefly comprises wild 
 Heath roots and finer grasses, and is found in higher districts, a third 
 kind being mainly formed of Fern roots and rhizomes, both the last 
 named containing a varying proportion of light brownish soil from 
 the farther decomposition of the roots, &c. These are the principal 
 kinds, but there are many intermediate grades. The bog peat, which 
 also generally contpins a proportion of sand, is most suitable for 
 Heaths and similar plants ; the second kind is used for Ferns, and 
 the third is the best for Orchids. For these plants it must abound in 
 fibre, and the smaller particles should be shaken out before it is used, 
 when it can be broken up into pieces of various sizes according to the 
 plants for which it is to be employed, but never very small. If a 
 quantity is procured at one time it must be stacked where it will not 
 be exposed to the wet, and yet not in a hot position where it will 
 become too much dried. When ordering peat intending purchasers 
 should state that it is required for Orchids, and the dealers will then 
 know whit to supply. 
 
 SPHAGNUM. The moss used for Orchids consists mainly of 
 Sphagnum obtusifolium, but S. squarrosum, 8. acutifolium and 
 
76 
 
 cuspidatum, with others that have been considered as varieties of one 
 species, are a^o abundant in some districts. These are termed bog 
 mosses, and are found in low moist places frequently partly ?ub- 
 merged, and are abundant in most parts of Britain. The sphagnum 
 serves as a retainer of moisture, and by its decay furnishes something 
 for the support of the plan's grown in it. When received it should 
 be spread cut on a bench or flocr and carefully pi< ked and selected, 
 removing all the weeds, leaves, grasses, or fortign substances, and 
 divide it into three qualities. r l he first should consist of the fresh- 
 growing points of the shoots, v hich must be preserved for surfacing ; 
 the neit in freshness will be set aside for chopping up and mixing 
 with peat for potting ; and tha third, comprising all the rough* st and 
 most decayed portions, being employed for covering the drainage in 
 the pots before the principal soil is placed in. It should all be kept 
 in a damp warm position, especially the first named, to induce growth, 
 which soon takes place under favourable circumstances, assuming a 
 bright green colour. The chopped sphagnum is sometimes scalded 
 with hot water to destroy insects, and in any case these must be 
 looked after very clcse^ or they will do much mischief afterwards, 
 when they cannot be so readily found. A substance termed Trepho, 
 consisting of compressed sphagnum, is sold by Mr. B. Field, 
 Swan Place, Old Kent Road, and has been recommended by several 
 Orchid growers for blocks or for potting purposes. The sphag- 
 num is placed under hydraulic pressure, and thus formed into 
 compact firm blocks that can be cut to any size required, which, 
 as might be imagined from the nature of the substance, are very 
 retentive of moisture. It is employed in this way as blocks to grow 
 Orchids upon and for breaking up as a substitute for or an addition to 
 peat. It is well worth a trial, and the fact that it is being employed 
 by some nurserymen is a sufficient proof of i?s merit. 
 
 LOAM, CHARCOAL, AND POTSHERDS. For exotic Orchids loam is 
 not much used except for Calanthes, a few Cypripediump, or olher 
 strong- growing species ; but whenever employed it should ?e of a 
 light fibrous character, heavy and clayey loam being especially 
 avoided, and that of a very sandy nature is also unsuitable. It must 
 be stacked as for ot\ er plants and used in an intermediate state of 
 moisture. Charcoal is an important material fc.r mixing with com- 
 post for many Orchids, and some, like the Phalsenopses and others of 
 that character, can be grown in that and potsherds alone. The latter 
 must be thoroughly cleansed and sorted in different sizes, using the 
 largest for the lower drainage in pots and for baskets. 
 
 MANURES. Though ordinary manures have been long used for 
 strong- growing Orchids of the Calanthe, Cypripedium insigne, and 
 Dendrobium nobile types, they have not come into general use for 
 other Orchids, and it is quite evident that although some of the 
 character named may be benefited by stimulants, these must be 
 
77 
 
 employed very sparingly and \\ith great judgment for the majority. 
 It is true that many tropical Orchids grow v\ here there is naturally a 
 luxuriant vegetation, and the gases arising from the rapid decomposi- 
 tion may be supposed to be beneficial j also that bird guano deposited 
 upon the stems and branches of trees may afford some support of this 
 kind. Under artificial conditions it is, however, necessary to be ex- 
 tremely cautious or much injury will result, and beginners had better 
 abstain from dangerous experiments until they gain mere knowledge 
 of Orchid culture. Some experienced cultivators have, however, 
 proved that manures can be employed with advantage, and several 
 have been recommended for the purpose. Cow manure in an old and 
 partially exhausted condition is used for mixing with the soil for 
 strong terrestrial Orchids, chiefly for those needing loam, and which 
 will be afterwards enumerated. Horse, sheep manure, and soot are 
 similarly used, but the most elaborate trials appear to have been 
 made with Jensen's fish manure, Mr. A. Borwick of Higham Hill, 
 Walthamstow, having tried it generally on a miscellaneous collection 
 of Orchids with evident advantage to the majority, especially 
 Cymbidmms, Lycastes, and Coelogynes, which have made very strong 
 growths. This was used at the rate of a 48-potful to a banowload 
 of peat or ether soil ; but it is safer to use a smaller quantity, and in 
 any case this or any other manure should be thoroughly mixed with 
 the compost. The manures named are also used as liquids diluted 
 with water, but these must always be very weak scarcely tinged ; or 
 in the case of the fish potash oz. to a gallon is ample, and less is 
 advisable. As liquids, and for sprinkling upon the stages or floors of 
 houses, some persons have tried nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, 
 and carbonate of ammonia, which are dissolved in water and then 
 sprinkled about. Sometimes pieces of the carbonate are placed in 
 jars in the pipes and allowed to remain there constantly, thus giving 
 off a supply of ammonia. Experiments of this kind have been found 
 to improve the colour of the foliage wonderfully ; but when given 
 to the plants in a comparatively strong state they either make a 
 vigorous growth and become exhausted and turn yellow, or their 
 roots are at once killed. At The Grange, Wallington, the residence 
 of A. H. Smee, Esq , where so many interesting experiments have 
 qeen tried, Clan's fertiliser has been employed for many Orchids, 
 applied as a top-dressing for the strongest, or about a spoonful is 
 placed in a gallon of water, and the liquid thus formed is given to 
 the majority of terrestrial Orchids. A very s!rong specimen of 
 Cyrtopodium Saintlegerianum, which had been thus treated has been 
 exhibited and certificated at South Kensington. 
 
 CULTURAL UTENSILS. 
 
 POTS AND PANS. Large numbers of Orchids are now grown in 
 pots and pans, more so, perhaps, than formerly, when basktts, rafts, 
 
78 
 
 and blocks were almost exclusively used for epiphytal species. They 
 are obtained in a great variety of siz s and shapes ; some very artistic, 
 such as Mr. Matthews occasionally exhibits, and others of plainer 
 design, but equally useful. Those with perforated sides are preferred 
 by some, and they have the advantage of affording a quick drainage, 
 which is necessary if deep pots are used . Shallow pots or deep pans 
 for large specimens are, however, being more generally employed, and 
 of late small pans, 3 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, have 
 become popular for many Orchids, and it is astonishing what pretty 
 plants can be grown in them, Odontoglossums of the Cervantesi and 
 Rossi character, Sophronitis, and other small Orchids doing well, 
 while some of the Dendrobiums succeed ar"mTably in the same way. 
 All, in fact, that do not need much root space. Where insects are 
 
 Fig. 15.-An Orchid Pan. 
 
 troublesome it is a common practice to invert a pot in a saucer of 
 water and place the other on this ; but a simpler way of accomplish- 
 ing the same object is afforded by the Orchid pan employed at 
 Downside, Leatheih 'ad, which was prepared from a design by the 
 gardener, Mr. Woolford. It consists of an ordinary saucer, in the 
 centre of which arises a little pillar expanded at the top into a 
 flattened plate, upon which the pot is placed. The saucer being then 
 filled with water, no insects can pass from the stage to the plant. 
 
 BASKETS AND BLOCKS Baskets suitable for Orchids are readily 
 constructed, but they are now so cheap that it is much better to 
 purchase them from some of the dealers, from whom they can be 
 obtained of any size desired and of several forms. They are mostly 
 made of teak, and are very durable, though constantly exposed to 
 
79 
 
 moisture. The principal forms are shown in the accompanying cuts, 
 which represent some of those made by Mr. Sidney Williams, 21, 
 Farringdon Road. The ordinary square basket is formed with the 
 bars extended at the end, as in fig. 16, or with the ends flush, and it 
 is immaterial which is employed ; they are also made with four wires 
 for suspending them by, and with two, but the former is generally 
 preferred. Fig. 17 represents a boat basket, a convenient form for 
 some Orchids, and fig. 18 is a cylinder, employed in many establish- 
 ments for Phalsenopsis and similar kinds. Mr. Bonny, Hackney 
 Downs, also constructs very useful baskets in which the wires are 
 removeable, so that different lengths can be employed as desired, and 
 cane is used between the bars instead of lead. For blocks almost 
 any wood is suitable that is not so soft that it readily decays, or of so 
 
 Fig. 16. 
 
 Fig. 17. 
 
 Fig. 18. 
 
 hard and close a texture that the roots cannot obtain a hold upon it ; 
 but teak slabs are also frequently used as blocks, rafts formed of 
 parallel bars answering the same purpose. A soft freestone has been 
 used as blocks for epiphytal Orchids with good results, and porous 
 earthenware pots, filled with water inside and the plants secured to 
 the outer surface, have been found similarly suitable for many 
 species. The use of compressed sphagnum for this purpose has been 
 already noticed. 
 
 Of miscellaneous utensils the most important, in addition to the 
 ordinary watering cans with fine and coarse roses, and syringe with 
 nozzle and rose, will be a little metal tank on wheels for dipping 
 baskets, blocks, &c., where the collection is large, as it can be 
 taken round the house and the work quickly performed. For a small 
 collection a pail will suffice. 
 
80 
 
 CULTURAL OPERATIONS. 
 
 POTTING AND BASKETING la a 1 ! operations connected with 
 Orchids it must be remembered that the roots cannot be safely treated 
 like those of many plants in general cul libation ; they are much more 
 delicate and readily injured, consequently in potting or basketing 
 much care is needed. If the old roots are adhering to the sides of 
 the pots or the drainage, the pots must be broken, and these, or the 
 pieces of crocks, placed ia the new pors, disturbing the roots as little 
 as possible. All dead roots must, however, be cut away, and it' any 
 of the others appear unhealthy, or if the compost was old or much 
 decayed, they should be washed in tepid water. When it is desired 
 tj transfer a plant from a small basket to a larger one, and the roots 
 are much interlaced amongst and adhering to the bars, as is often the 
 case with epiphytal species, it is usually a safer plan to employ a 
 basket of sufficient siz-3 to allow the old one being placed in ir, filling 
 the intervening space with the compost. Pots should be thoroughly 
 drained, the largest having smaller sized ones inverted in them, and 
 the space round these filled with clean potsherds, or these can be used 
 alone. For all large specimen epiphytal Orchids the drainage should 
 be two-thirds the depth of the pot ; for terrestrial Orchids less will 
 be required according to the strength of the individuil plant and the 
 character of the species. Large pieces of potsherds are arranged 
 hollow aide downwards, but charcoal, or rough burnt clay, suoh as is 
 termed ballast, can be used for the same purpose. Over this place a 
 layer of sphagnum, and then put the plant in position, filling with 
 the compost which may have been either previously mix 3d, or the 
 peat, &c , can be introduced separately, firming it amongsc the roots 
 sufficiently to hold the plant steady, but not pressing it down as is 
 practised with other plants. In the case of large heavy Cattleyas, 
 Lselias, &c., it is sometimes needful to employ a few pegs, or a stake, 
 to assist iu holding them steady until established. It is advisable in 
 most cases to raise the base of pseudo-bulbous Orchids slightly above 
 the rim of the pots, making an even rounded surface of peat, covering 
 this with the selected sphagnum previously mentioned. Some have 
 tried other native mosses, such as are usually found in abundance in 
 woods or shady places, for this purpose, and in the cool houses they 
 bucceed well, having a pretty and more diversified appearance than 
 the sphagnum ; such material, however, needs very careful examina- 
 tion, or many destructive insects may be introduced with it. For a 
 number of the muie delicate epiphytal Orchids grown in baskets, 
 potsherds, charcoal, or a few lu ups of peat are sufficient, or the two 
 former alone, rather loosely arranged, especially for species of the 
 Stauhopea and Acineta type, which force out their flower spikes from 
 the base in a downward direction. Orchids grown in the small 
 shallow perforated pots already noted require scarcely anything but 
 peat and a surfacing of moss. Blocks are not so frequently employed 
 
MESSRS. J. VEITCH & SONS' 
 
 (From the Journal of Horticnlti 
 
A.TTLEYA HOUSE, CHELSEA. 
 
 page 215, Vol. X., 3rd Series.) 
 
81 
 
 now as formerly, but there are some plants, like Cattleya citrina for 
 instance, which from the nature of their growth are much better on 
 blocks than in pots or baskets ; but there are comparatively few strong- 
 growing species which cannot be more satisfactorily grown in baskets. 
 One reason for this is probably due to the .fact that in baskets they 
 do not suffer quite so quickly in hot weather, whereas blocks need 
 very frequent attention in watering during the summer, or the plants 
 may be injured beyond recovery. When an Orchid is to be grown 
 on a block a little moss may be placed round the base of the plant, 
 and the latter firmly fixed by a few pieces of copper wire passed 
 across and nailed to the side or back of the block. In some cases 
 the moss is not requisite, but it is safer for beginners to employ a 
 little at first. 
 
 The time at which these operations require to be performed varies, 
 for in their native countries Orchids commence their growth at very 
 different periods ; but it may be taken as a general rule that as soon 
 as root or leaf growth is commencing potting or basketing can be 
 safely done. In many species the commencement of activity is 
 readily seen in the protrusion of young roots at the base of the stem 
 or pseudo-bulb, and in others new growths will be seen pushing from 
 the lower portion of the plant. The adoption of lower winter tem- 
 peratures necessitates resting most Orchids which need that treatment 
 in the duller months of the year, consequently growth generally 
 commences in February and March, when the majority can be safely 
 potted. But the rule previously given can be followed as regards 
 those that start at other times ; but for such as are growing to some 
 extent all the year, like Odontoglossums, the potting season may be 
 regulated according to convenience, and Orchids of the Vanda and 
 Aerides type may be so treated whenever they are not in active 
 growth, but preferably just before they start, and the early spring will 
 be found the most satisfactory time for the majority. Some Orchids 
 require repotting or basketing much more frequently than others, the 
 strong, quick- growing species needing attention every year; the slower, 
 more delicate sorts often thrive well enough for several seasons with 
 only an occasional renewal of the surfacing. The latter should, 
 however, be looked to every year, as it improves the appearance of 
 the plants very much, and is beneficial to the young roots, which 
 dislike old decayed materials about them. 
 
 WATERING, SYRINGING, RESTING. Few plants that are not aquatics 
 require so much water as Orchids both about their roots and in the 
 atmosphere, and therefore the supply of moisture is an important 
 operation. Healthy Orchids when growing freely can scarcely have 
 too much water, and during the summer they will need attention 
 twice a day independent of damping the paths and stages, or 
 syringing. In the winter and during the resting period of Orchids, 
 whether terrestrial or epiphytal, the supply must be greatly reduced 
 
for all except Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, and others which con- 
 tinue active throughout the year. Non- pseudo-bulbous Orchids must 
 also have a more liberal supply of water than those with pseudo- 
 bulbs, which serve as storehouses of nutriment. In the summer and 
 f rowing season the material on the shelves and the paths must be 
 ept well moistened, and in cool houses shallow tanks should be 
 provided at the sides of tho paths. For supplying the plants and 
 syringing rain water is the best, and it must always be used about the 
 temperature of the house. Hard water should be avoided except 
 for damping purposes, as though lime is not injurious to some Orchids 
 it disfigures the foliage. Baskets and blocks can be dipped, but this 
 must be carefully done with the former, or the drainage may be 
 disturbed. There is some difference of opinion respecting the 
 beneficial effects of syringing, but the majority of cultivators have 
 proved its usefulness, and in some large trade establishments the 
 plants are syringed most liberally, ordinary watering-cans being 
 seldom used. Morning and evening syringings in the spring, summer, 
 and autumn are beneficial to growing Orchids, but care must be 
 exercised to keep the water off the flowers, and as much as possible 
 off young tender growths, particularly those of Laelias like L. 
 purpurata ; while in the winter it should be discontinued, especially 
 when the weather is severe. At St. Albans a simple and labour- 
 saving mode of damping the houses is adopted, which is, however, 
 only suitable for large establishments. Under the stages and along 
 the paths in every house are taken two or more pipes 1 inch in 
 diameter, which are perforated at short intervals and connected with 
 the main supply, so that by turning taps in convenient positions the 
 whole house or auy portion can be quickly damped with little trouble. 
 The atmosphere of Orchid houses must be constantly moist, and 
 in hot weather this can only be effected by a frequent and liberal 
 distribution of water upon the paths and stages. A useful instrument 
 for determining the amount of moisture in the air is the hygrometer, 
 consisting of two thermometers graduated exactly alike, with small 
 projecting bulbs. These are affixed an inch or two apart to a porce- 
 lain or other frame, and the bulb of one is connected by a little 
 syphon of cotton, or lamp-wick, with a small bowl kept constantly 
 filled with water. The evaporation of water from the latter, termed 
 the wet bulb, by the extraction of heat, causes the mercury to fall, 
 and by comparing the temperature thus registered by that shown in 
 the dry-bulb thermometer, which indicates the temperature of the 
 hou>e, it is seen at a glance whether the air is dry or moist. When 
 saturated with moisture the mercury in the two tubes will stand at 
 the eame level, and the drier it is the greater will be the difference 
 between them. This simple instrument can be easily constructed 
 if two evenly balanced thermometers are obtained, but they can now 
 be purchased very cheaply, and should be employed wherever Orchids 
 
aie grown in quantity. In fig. 19 is represented a convenient hygro- 
 meter from Messrs. Negretii & Zambra, Holborn, but there are 
 several other forms, some being constructed with a mechanical 
 arrangement and dial. One of these, which ia termed a self-recording 
 hygrometer, is shown in the woodcut, fig. 21. In this " the two 
 thermometers with the water cistern are mounted upon a frame in 
 connection with the clock. An index hand on the dial of the clock 
 enables the observer to arrange the release of a catch or detent at 
 any moment, and by the action of the clock cause the hygrometer to 
 revolve on its axis. By this movement the mercury contained in the 
 
 Pig. 19. 
 
 Fig. 20. 
 
 left-hand tubes of the thermometer breaks off and passes over into 
 the right hand tubes, where it records the temperature." This is a 
 very elaborate instrument, but the simpler forms answer the same 
 purpose. A cheap useful thermometer for registering the lowest 
 temperatures is represented in fig. 20, and cansists of zinc scale 
 enclosing the glass tube, containing a black glass index floating in 
 the spirit. 
 
 Deciduous terrestrial Orchids require a decided period of rest, 
 during which water is either entirely withheld or is given in very 
 small quantities. Evergreen pseudo-bulbous Orchids must never be 
 
84 
 
 " dried off," but their rest consists in lessening the heat and moisture, 
 though in the case of the Odontoglossums the supply must always 
 depend upon their condition. Deciduous pseudo-bulbous Orchids also 
 require a period tf rest, but water must be given in sufficient 
 quantities to prevent shrivelling. 
 
 VENTILATING AND SHADING. In warm moist districts ventilation 
 can be given much more liberally than in cold exposed or dry 
 
 Fig. 21. 
 
 situations, and to these varying circumstances are due the diffe- 
 rent opinions on the advantages to be derived from free ventilation. 
 Wherever the climate is suitable and when the weather is favourable 
 there is no question that most successful results are obtained by 
 admitting air freely not only to cool-house but to tropical Orchids, 
 
85 
 
 and I have seen the late Mr. Percival's fine Cattleyas being absolutely 
 blown about by brisk sea breezes, and Dr. Paterson in warm Bridge 
 of Allan has adopted a similar S)stem with equal advantage. For 
 cool Orchids a liberal supply of air during the greater portion of the 
 year is essential, and in one of the largest trade establishments small 
 wooden pegs are placed between the laps of the glass, so that there 
 is a space of an eighth of an inch between each two panes, and a similar 
 space at the bottom of the rafter. In the same place ihe walls are 
 constructed so that there is a moveable half-brick at the end of each 
 whole brick just below the bide shelf and opposite a hot- water pipe. 
 These act as plugs, which are removed in spring immediately the 
 frost has depaned and are not put in again until autumn, thus afford- 
 ing a free admission of air both day and night. This is only noted 
 as an example of what can be done, for in ordinary establishments a 
 piece of board 8 or 9 inches wide, slicing in two grooves outside the 
 house opposite the pipes, is sufficient for ventilation beneath the 
 stages, though iron or wooden hinged bhutters are also employed. In 
 one place I have seen the following method adopted : a channel runs 
 down the side of the path under the pipes, communicating with a 
 small chamber cutbide the house [covered with a grating. The 
 channel opens into the house by several apertures, which can be 
 opened or closed by small lids, and the cold air thus admitted ascends 
 directly to the pipes, being partially warmed before it conies in contact 
 with the plants. The outside grating can also be covered when necessary. 
 Roof ventilation can be accomplished in various ways according to 
 convenience, but for all warm houses, especially in cold bright weather, 
 it is advisable to have pieces of tiffany stretched across the opening 
 to break the force of the cold current. During the winter whenever 
 the wind is keen or frost severe never ventilate, and in very hot dry 
 weather it is better to shade wel 1 , employ no fire hear, damp 
 liberally, and ventilate but little. Without artificial heat the tempera- 
 lure of all but f'.e typical cool houses may be allowed to rise 
 considerably above the maximum temperatures given in the table 
 without danger if waler be abundantly hupplied. For this reason 
 the houses may be closed at 3 to 5 P.M. according to the season and 
 the weather, but a little all-night ventilation in the height of summer 
 will not ba hurtful to tropical Orchids, and for the others it should 
 be the lule at that time of } ear. 
 
 The ordinary roller blinds are the most convenient for shading 
 purposes, as they can be quickly run down or up according to the 
 weather. A very convenient form of blind is the Parisian chain 
 blind, which is formed of narrow strips of wood a short distance 
 apart, so that, while effectually breaking ihe f^rce of the sun's rays, 
 they do not darken the house. These are giving satisfaction in 
 several Orchid-growing establishments. For OdontogLssiim houses 
 in sunny positions permanent shading is sometimes applied to the 
 
glass, and the best I have found for the purpose is prepared in the 
 following way : 1 Ib. each of tallow and flour and Ib. of whiting are 
 mixed together with cold water and sufficient Brunswick green to tint 
 it as required, and the mixture is then warmed in a pail before apply- 
 ing it to the glass, which should be done when the sun is shining. 
 This lasts well and does not render the house too dark if put on 
 thinly. This will only be needed in the spring and summer, and houses 
 with a north aspect will not require it. Some Orchids require more 
 shade than others, and those like Cypripediums or Phalsenopses should 
 be given the shadiest side of the house. Artificial shading should, 
 however, only be employed in very bright weather and in the hottest 
 part of the day to prevent the temperature rising too high, as too 
 much shade weakens the plants and prevents their growths ripening. 
 
 PROPAGATING. Few Orchids can be quickly increased by any 
 artificial method of propagation, and it is owing to this fact that 
 hybrids raised in this country so long maintain their value, whereas an 
 introduced species may be scarce and high-priced for a time, and 
 then perhaps a fortunate collector sends home a large shipment and 
 the value falls immediately. Amateurs cannot depend upon propa- 
 gation to add much to their stock, as in most cases it takes too long, 
 and it is far better to purchase small established plants, which can 
 be had much cheaper than formerly, or even to procure imported 
 plants. It may happen, however, that a particular variety is possessed 
 that it is desirable to increase, or perhaps it is wished to try a few 
 experiments, and in either case some hints will be needed as to the 
 modes to be adopted. In the first place do not commence experi- 
 menting with any valuable plant ; gain a little experience first with 
 boine of little consequence, for Orchids are easily injured by any 
 process of division unskilfully performed, and some seem to object 
 to it altogether. Strong healthy examples only should be selected, 
 and even these must be carefully treated afterwards. The latter 
 remarks especially apply to, the method adopted with many Orchids 
 having short ovoid pseudo-bulbs of the Cattleya or Odontoglossum 
 types namely, cutting between the pseudo-bulbs and through the 
 rhizome, so as to retain come roots with each. The safest plan is to 
 leave these in the pot for some time until it is seen that fresh growths 
 are coming from the divided portions, when they can be potted or 
 otherwise as is most convenient. This plan is also adopted when it 
 is desired to produce what are termed " back growths " to make a 
 better specimen, as old pseudo-bulbs will often form growths when 
 thus treated, greatly improving the appearance of a plant. Lycaste 
 bkinneri is readily increased in this way, and old pseudo- bulbs can 
 be separated and potted singly, giving them little water until a bud 
 starts from the base. Most hardy tuber-bearing Orchids can be 
 increased by division in autumn after their stems are dead, or prefer- 
 ably in early spring before growth starts. 
 
87 
 
 For many exotic, deciduous, or evergreen Orchids with long 
 cylindrical pseudo-bulbs another system may be tried, as, for 
 example, with Dendrobium nobile and species of similar habit. Of 
 these, any pseudo-bulbs that have flowered but are not old or 
 shrivelled may be cut from the parent plant and laid lengthwise in 
 moss, secured to a block or in a pan, or cut into lengths of about 
 6 inches and inserted in pots of moss kept constantly damp. 
 Dendrobium nobile produces young plants from the nodes very readily 
 when treated in this way, and I have reared a dozen from one pseudo- 
 bulb ; but usually the plants are chiefly formed in the upper portion, 
 and are occasionally so produced without removing the pseudo-bulbs 
 from the old plant, while some prefer pegging them down round the 
 pot in which they are growing, though this is sometimes inconvenient. 
 Thunias are propagated by cuttings in the same way as mentioned 
 for Dendrobiums, bu" sand should be substituted for the moss. The 
 best time for such operations is early in the spring, as it gives the 
 young plants so obtained a better chance of becoming established 
 before winter, which in our climate tries them severely even with 
 the best care. When separated or potted singly water must be 
 supplied in small quantities until some progress is observed, when 
 they may be gradually accustomed to the treatment given to the 
 other plants. Vandas, Aerides, and others of similar habit can be 
 increased by taking off side breaks or the tops of the plants with a 
 few roots attached and potting them in moss, and when the former 
 become too tall they are occasionally reduced to more convenient size 
 in this way ; but they should receive very careful attention for 
 some time afterwards in shading and keeping them close. Cypripe- 
 diums are easily increased by division in the ordinary way, and 
 skilful growers do not hesitate to practise this with the most valuable 
 hybrids. 
 
 What may be termed natural methods of propagation can be 
 taken advantage of with Orchids which produce young plants upon 
 their stems or pseudo-bulbs, like several Epidendrums ; others, as the 
 Phalsenopses, particularly P. Liiddemanniana, occasionally bear 
 plants on their flower stems or on their roots, as with P. Stuartiana ; 
 while others, like Calanthe vestita or the Pleiones, produce young 
 plants on their old pseudo- bulbs that can be separated and grown on 
 as advised. 
 
 If the ordinary methods of propagation are slow, raising Orchids 
 from seed is a still slower process, and it cannot be recommended 
 except for those who are interested in obtaining hybrids. It requires 
 much patient waiting, constant attention, and perhaps after years of 
 this care some enemy may devour the plant ; it may die some hot day 
 from a little neg'ect in watering, or it may "damp off" in a dark 
 cold winter. Independent of these difficulties seed-bearing is 
 exceedingly weakening to Orchids ; a weak plant may be killed and 
 
88 
 
 a strong one so injured that it will take several seasons to recover its 
 usual condition. Even producing flowers alone is weakening, and 
 young delicate plants should not be allowed to produce m^ny or 
 retain them long ; in fact it is better not to permit any plant in 
 doubtful health to flower at all. Then it is difficult t> insure the 
 proper maturation of the seed-pofo, and even when these develope 
 and ripen satisfactorily they ara occasionally found to contain no 
 seeds, or only imperfect rudimentary bodies that will not germinate. 
 Mr. Harry J. Veitch in his paper read at the Orchid Conference gave 
 some interesting particulars concerning the time the capsules take to 
 ripen, from which the following are selected as examples : Calanthe, 
 three to four months ; Masdevallia, four months ; Zygopr-talum 
 Mackayi crossed with maxillare, six months ; Phalsenops's Schil- 
 leriana, six months ; LaeHa purpurata, nine months ; Cypripedium 
 insigne, ten months ; C. Spicerianum, eleven to twelve months ; 
 Cattleya labiata and others, eleven to thirteen months ; Anguloa 
 Clowesi, Chysis bracfescens, Dendrobium aureum, Maxillaria Harriso- 
 niana, and Odontoglossum maculatum, twelve months. Considerably 
 longer periods are required to bring the plants from the germinating 
 to the flowering stage, as the undermentioned facts will show from 
 the same autho'ity as the preceding. Dendrobium aureum crossed 
 with D. nobile, three to four years ; Phaius and Calanthe about the 
 name time, the seed of the latter germinating in two to three months 
 fro.n the time of sowing ; Masdevallia and Cnysis, four to five years ; 
 Cypripediurn Schlimi crossed with longifolium, four years; the 
 reverse cross, six years ; Zygopetalum maxillare crossed with Mackayi, 
 live years ; the reverse cross, nine years ; Lycaste, seven to eight 
 years ; Lselias and Cattleyas, usually ten to twelve years, but some 
 navs taken much longer, as Lselia callistoglo.-sa, which was sown in 
 1858 and fl >w.'red In 1877, the quickest being Laelia triophthalma, 
 sown in 1875 and flowered in 1883. 
 
 Stjed must be sown immediately it is ripe, but it should be done if 
 possible in the spring or early summer, as it is muc-h more likely to 
 germinate then than in autumn or winter. It is usually sown upon 
 living moss in pans where other Orchids are growing, or upon blocks 
 of w >od, Fern tree stems, the sides of pots, and various other ways ; 
 but ihe first named is the best, and the chief object is to keep the 
 tnoss constantly moist, disturbing it as little as possible, until the 
 diminutive plants have made some progress and are forming their 
 leaves. They may be then very cautiously removed and placed in 
 thimble-pots of moss plunged in a larger size, the sp-ice between the 
 tw> being filled with moss kept regularly moist. The utmst care 
 will be needed in this respect, and the seedlings must not be exposed 
 to the direct rays of the sun or draughts of cold air. After some 
 y ars of trouble the cultivator may possibly be rewarded \>y seeing a 
 novelty of great merit flower. Amateurs must not be discjuraged 
 
89 
 
 by these difficulties, but all who have the time should try some 
 experiments, for though wonderful progress has been made in 
 hybridising by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, there is still an ample 
 field for investigators, and many gentlemen have turned their 
 attention to the matter in recent years.. In any attempt of the kind 
 care must be exercised to prevent the intended seed-bearer being 
 fertilised from any other source, both before and after the desired 
 cross has been made. This may be effected by tying a piece of gauze 
 round the flower when it is expanded, also removing its own pollinia. 
 
 CULTIVATORS' ENEMIES. 
 
 Orchidists have abundance of enemies to contend with, for the 
 plants are subject to the attacks of many insects ; but in this, as in 
 other cases, prevention is better than cure, and a continual watch- 
 fulness for the first appearance of these pests and the adoption of 
 prompt measures will save endless trouble. It is important to insure 
 that the plants purchased are thoroughly clean, and if there be any 
 doubt on the matter they should be well washed with tepid water 
 and a small quantity of softsoap, sufficient to discolour the water, 
 this being especially necessary for imported plants, the roots of which 
 should also be washed in clean water. Orchids are subject to the 
 attacks of most insects which infest other plants, such as green fly, 
 red spider, thrips and s 'ale of several sorts, and mealy bug ; while 
 snails, slugs, woodlice, ants, and cockroaches also cause much trouble 
 if allowed to become numerous. It is not difficult to keep a small 
 collection clean, but where large numbers of plants are grown it 
 requires constant care ; and in some establishments it is the rule to 
 thoroughly clean the whole stock periodically, for delicate plantg 
 once a month. The frequent use of tepid water, softsoap in very 
 email quantities, or weak tobacco water is the best means of keeping 
 the foliage clean, applying the liquids with a sponge or camel's-hair 
 brush. Green fly and the thrips may be destroyed by fumigation 
 with tobacco or tobacco paper. Though this is commonly recommended 
 it is a dangerous expedient in the hands of beginners, for a strong 
 fumigation will often prove far more injurious than beneficial. It 
 should only be resorted to in extreme cases, and then it should be 
 given very moderately on several alternate nights ; choose a quiet 
 evening, have the house drier than usual, and if moveable blinds are 
 employed pull these down. Be careful to place the fumigator where 
 the hot smoke does not ascend directly under any plants, and do not 
 employ burning coal or coke, as the gases arising from these are very 
 injurious. Slugs and snails must be looked after closely, a little 
 bran being a good bait for theoi. A few cabbage leaves can also be 
 laid about on the stages, and frequently examined ; hollowed potatoes, 
 a little moss, and various other things serve as traps for woodlice. 
 
90 
 
 Ants may be caught in glasses of sugar or treacle and water sunk 
 in the stages level with the material, or old bones can be placed 
 about and occasionally plunged in hot water ; while for cockroaches 
 I have never seen anything better than Chase's phosphor paste, 
 which can be spread on pieces of paper, wood, slate, or any substance 
 and placed at night where they are most frequent, removing it again 
 in the morning. Isolating stages by msans of metal saucers soldered 
 round the supports and filled with water is an excellent plan, and the 
 Orchid pan already noticed answers a similar purpose. There are 
 several insects which are peculiar to Orchids, and one of the worst 
 of these is that which attacks Cattleyas, causing the pseudo-bulbs to 
 swell, and for which the only remedy seems to be cutting the growth 
 away immediately it is seen to be swelling unusually. A useful little 
 friend in the Orchid house is the green frog, which is a most per- 
 severing and voracious destroyer of insects, and two or three of them 
 in a collection will save the cultivator a great amount of trouble. 
 
 The diseases of Orchids are few, and are principally due to 
 excessive moisture in the air or at the roots, accompanied by unduly 
 low temperatures. Many Orchids will continue healthy with very 
 little heat, but the supply of water must be correspondingly dimi- 
 nished or decay of some kind will commence. That form termed 
 " rot " chiefly attacks the pseudo-bulbs, but sometimes the leaves, 
 and in any case the decayed portion must be cut clean out, dusting 
 the surface freely with sulphur. " Spot," which appears on the 
 leavep, has a similar origin, and the best plan is to alter the treatment 
 as to heat and moisture, cutting away the worst leaves, or dusting 
 them with sulphur. It is important to keep all material in a fresh 
 clean state, providing a wholesome atmosphere by suitable ventilation. 
 
 SELECTIONS OF ORCHIDS. 
 
 The number of genera of Orchids recognised in the latest authori- 
 tative work, Hooker and Bentham's " Genera Plantaru~n,*' is 334, 
 which comprise a total of about 5000 species. Of these probably 2000 
 are in cultivation, but very few collections comprise 1000 species, and 
 the majority are confined to much smaller numbers, especially where 
 quantities of one sort like Odontoglossum Alexandra? are grown. The 
 variation in habit, floral form, and colours is very great, and in no 
 generally cultivated family do we get such a remarkable range. 
 The majority of Orchids are comparatively dwarf, and in some cases 
 diminutive, as in the ' ulbophyllums, the Australian B. minutissi- 
 mum, and a Bornean species found by Dr. Beccari having pseudo- 
 bulbs one-twelfth of an inch in length and breadth, and are the 
 smallest Orchids known. From these we get many gradations to the 
 stem-producing Vandas and Vanillas, and then by a great advance to 
 Erythrorchis or Galeola, which has bare scrambling sterna sometimes 
 
91 
 
 exceeding 100 feet in length in its native habitats. The majority of 
 cultivated Orchids produce pseudo-bulbs, and are either evergreen, as 
 in the Cattleyas and Odontoglossums, or deciduous as in the Calanthes. 
 The stem-bearing Orchids of the Aerides and Vanda type, with the 
 leaves arranged in a two-ranked manner on each side of the stem, are 
 all evergreen, as also are the non-pseudo-bulbous Orchids of the Cypr'- 
 pedium type, except where these have tuberous roots, when they are 
 usually deciduous, as in the North American forms of that genus. 
 These peculiarities of habit must be all taken as indications of the 
 treatment required, and, as previously pointed out, the deciduous 
 species should all have a good period of rest. 
 
 Some of the most useful genera to the cultivator are the fol- 
 lowing : Aerides, Saccolabium and Vanda, mostly small flowers, 
 soft tinted, in racemes, and fragrant ; Angrsecuru, principally white 
 or cream-coloured flowers, varying much in size, A. stsquipedale 
 being the largest ; Calanthe, rosy crimson and white, free useful 
 plants ; Cattleyas and LaBlias, showy Orchids, with large flowers 
 representing rich and soft tints of crimson, with white and gold 
 markings ; Ccelogyne cristata, white with yellow blotch, very useful ; 
 Oypripedium, variously coloured, not bright tints except some of the 
 C. Sedeni group, but free and useful ; Dendrobium, a handsome 
 genus with abundance of golden yellow tints, or crimson purple and 
 white in combination ; Dendrochilum, small flowers, but in D. glu- 
 maceum very fragrant ; Lycaste, white and crimson, very durable ; 
 Masdevallia, free useful plants, white, crimson, scarlet, and orange ; 
 Odontoglossum, chiefly white or yellow with brown spots and 
 markings ; Oncidium, a large number with bright yellow flowers ; 
 and Phaloenopsis, white and rosy crimson. These compribe the most 
 effective Orchids, but there are many other small genera, including 
 species of great beauty. The principal curiosities as regards floral 
 structure are found in the genera Bulbophyllum, Catasetum, 
 Cycnoches, Coryanthes, Gongora, Mormodes, and Kestrepia, which 
 present some extraordinary forms. The following will give some 
 idea of the number of species in the leading genera, a few of the 
 largest or best known being selected : Epidendrum 400, Pleuro- 
 thallis 850, Dendrobium 300, Oncidium 250, Stelis 150, Maxillaria 
 100, Spiranthes 100, Masdevallia 100, Eria 80, Odontoglotsuru 80, 
 Coelogyne 50. Cypripedium 40, Cattleya and LaBlia 20 each. There 
 are sixty-one monotypic genera that is, comprising only one species 
 each, and there is a large number with less than a dozen each. 
 
 WHITE-FLOWERED ORCHIDS. White varieties of several Orchids 
 are now much in demand and realise high prices ; while sometimes the 
 ordinary type of the species may be only worth a few shillings, as in 
 Lycaste Skinned, the white variety alba is sold for as many guineas. Of 
 the cheaper white- flowered Orchids, such as Odontoglossum Alexandras, 
 
92 
 
 Ccelogyne cristata, and Phalsenopsis grandiflora, many are now being 
 grown for market, and, together with the coloured Dendrobium nobile, 
 make a feature in the flo.ists' windows in Covent Garden Market. 
 The following is a selection of the best white-flowered Orchi.ls : 
 Aeranthus Leonis, Angrsecums, Anguloa eburnea, Calanthe Turneri 
 nivalis, Cattleya Domimana alba, C Percivaliana alba, C. Skinneri 
 alba, ToelogYne cristata alba, Cyrnbidium eburneum, Cy[>npedium 
 niveum, C. Sedeni candidu'um, Dendrobium Deari (very useful), D. 
 infundibulura, D. formosum, D. Jamesianum, Lselia albida, L. anceps 
 alba, and other varieties, L. elegans alba, Lycaste Skiuneri alba, L. 
 Harrisoiiize alba, Masdevallia tovarensis, Odontoglossum Alexandras, 
 Pescatorei, 0. pulchellum, 0. Roezli album, and 0. vexillarium 
 album. Some of these are not pure white, but there is very little 
 colour in the majority, the Laslias, Odontoglossums, and Coelogyne 
 being valuable for cutting. 
 
 ORANGE AND SCARLET-FLOWERED ORCHIDS. These tints are not 
 very abundant, though shades of yellow are very numerous in the 
 Oncidiums and Dendrobiums. The following are a dozen of the best 
 of these tints, which are very effective, arranged with other lighter 
 coloured flowers : Ada aurantiaca, Epidendrum vitellinurn, E. 
 aurantiacum, E cinnabarinum, Laelia cinnabarina, L. flammea, L. 
 harpophyllH, Masdevallia coccinea, M. ignea, M. Veitchiana, flenan- 
 thera coccinea, and Sophronitis grandiflora. 
 
 ORCHIDS FOR EVERY MONTH. 
 
 A supply of Orchid flowers can be easily obtained throughout the 
 year ; some like Odontoglossum Alexandra, producing its blooms at 
 all seasons, others like Lycaste Skinneri, last for a considerable time, 
 and others are almost constantly in fbwer from the succession of 
 blooms they bear. Orchids are by no means constant in their time 
 of flowering, but the great majority of flowers are produced from 
 March to midsummer, some of the Lamias, Calanthes, and others 
 jielding an autumn and winter display. The following list by Mr. 
 Cummins, gardener to A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, Wailington, is 
 a record of the times of flowering as observed in that establishment, 
 where large numbers of species are grown. It will be understood 
 that the months under which the plants are arranged are those 
 in which the flowers expanded, and that some consequently 
 extended into the next or perhaps the following months. Though 
 the periods named cannot be taken as fixed, they will serve to indicate 
 what rcay be expected to flower at the principal seasons. 
 
 JANUARY. Cypripedimn insigne and varieti s, C. venustum, C. Boxalli, 
 Ccelogyue cristata, C. eparsa, C. ppeciosa, Dendrobium Ainswprthi, D. 
 craseiiiode, D. Devonianum, D. nobile, D. revolutum, D. primulinum, D. 
 speciosum, D. "Wardiauum, Dendrochilum uncatum, Laelia albida, L. anceps, 
 
93 
 
 L. elegans, L. superb'ens, Masdevtllia ignea, M. Estrada^ M Normini, M. 
 polysticta, M. triangularis, Maxillaria aromatica, M. crueata, Jontoglossum 
 Alexandras, 0. cariniferum, 0. macnlatum, 0. pul -helium, 0. Rossi majus, 
 Oncidiurn Forbesi, 0. flexuosum, 0. ornithorhynehum, 0. serratum. 0. vari- 
 cosum, Phajus grandifolius, Pha'senopsis amabilis, P. g andiflora, P. 
 Sanderiana, P Schilleriana, Pilumna fiagrans, Sophronitis grandiflora, 
 Zjgo 'etalum Mackayi. 
 
 FEBRUARY. Ada aurantiaca, Brassavola glauca, Calanthe Hegaieri, 
 Cattleya amethystoglossa, C. bulbo?a, C. Percivaliana, C. Trianse, C. choco- 
 ensis, Coelogyne fl tccida. Comparettia falcata, C. macroplectron, D_ j ndrobiu.m 
 aggregatum maju 3 , D. hettrocarpum, D. lutecium, D. infundibulum, Epi- 
 dendrum crasiifolium, E. evectum, Helcia Stoiguinolenti, Odont^glossum 
 Pescatorei, 0. radiatura, 0. odoratum, O. triumphans, Oncidium cornigerum, 
 O. Jonesianum, 0. O'Brienianum. Laa'ii harpophylla, Lycaste Skinneri, 
 Vanda coerulescens, Phalaeaopsis Stuartiana. 
 
 Angvge^um citra^um, A. EUisi, A. falcatum, Cattleya citrina, 
 C. Lawrenciana, Coelogyne ocellata, C. hololeuca, Chysis aurea, C. bractes- 
 cens, Cyprip^dium argus, C. barbafcum, C. ciliolare, C. hirsutissimum, C. Sedeni, 
 
 C. villosum, Cyrtopodium A.ndersoni, C. Saintlegerianum Dendrobium barba- 
 tulum, D. Jenkmsi. D. primulimim gi^anteum, D. fimbriatum oculatum. 
 
 D. super biens, D. Freemani, D. Pierardi, Epidendrum sceptrum, Lycaste 
 plana, Odontoglossum HalH, O Oerstedi, 0. Phalsenopsis, 0. Eoezli, 0. 
 cordatum, Oncidnim cucullatum, O. Cavendishianuna, O. unguiculatum, Phalae- 
 nopsis Boxalli, Yanda tricolor, Z5'gopetaluoi crinitum. 
 
 APRIL. Aerides Leeanum, Acineta Humboldti, Arpophyllum giganteum, 
 Brassia Keiliana, B. verrucosa, Cattleya Mendeli, C. intermedia, C. Skinneri, 
 Colax jiigosus, Cjmbidium eburneum, Dendrobium Cambridgeanum, D. 
 thyrsiflorum, D. densiflorum, D. secundum, Epidendrum alatum, E. vitelli- 
 num roajas, E. xanthinum, E. fragrans, Masdevallia Harryana, M. Lindeni, 
 M. Shuttleworthi, M. Ciaimsera,Me ospinidium sanguineuni, Odontoglossum 
 cirrhosum, 0. Cervantesi, 0. v^xillarium, 0. citrosmum, Oncidium concolor, 
 O. Marshallianum, 0. longifolium, 0. fuscatum, Leptote? bicolor, Lycaste 
 fulvescens, L. Dowiana, L. Candida, L. Skinneri, Phalaenopsis Manni, P. 
 Luddemanuiana, SaccoUbium guttatum, Yanda teres. 
 
 MAY. Camarotis purpurea, Aerides Fieldingi, Cirrhsea viridi-purpurea, 
 Coelogyne pandurata, Bulbopbyllum Lobbi, Cattleya Aclandias, C. crispa, 
 C. Mossiffl, Cymbidium aloifolium, C. Lowianum, Cypripedium caudatum, 
 C. Hookeras, C. Lawrencianum, C. Lowii, C. Pearcei, C. Stoneanum, Dendro- 
 bium chrysanthum, D. albo-sanguineum, D. Falconeri, D. japonicum, D. 
 moschatum, D. chrysotoxum, D. lituiflorum, D. Parish!, D. Lowi, D. macro- 
 phyllum, D. suavissimum, D. transparens, Epidendrum fragrans, E. macro- 
 chilum, G-aleandra Devoniana, G. nivea, Huntleya violacea, Leptotes 
 bicolor, MasdevalHa amabilis, M. Houtteana, M. Wagneriana, M. V^itchi- 
 ana, Maxill^ria Harrisoni, Lselia purpurata, Odonto^losaum cordatum, 0. 
 Halli, 0. hastilaSum, Palumbina Candida, Siccolabium Biumei, S. curvi- 
 folium, Yanda Den;soniana, Y. Batemanni. 
 
 JUNE. Aerides Ballantinianum, A. crispum, A. crassifolium, A. Fieldingi, 
 A. Lobbi, A. odoratum, Brassia maculata, Angnloa Clowesii, Dendrobium 
 BensoniE, D. infundibulum, Cattleya Warneri, C. Forbeeii, Cypripedium 
 barHatum nigrum, Govenia fasciata, Lycaste Deppei, Lffllia crispa, Masde- 
 vallia Peristeria, Mnxillaria grandiflora, Odontoglossum Lindleyanum, 0. 
 tripudians, O. Ui o-Skinneri, 0. sceptrum, Oncidium macranthum, 0. reflexum, 
 O. tricuspidatum, O. crispum, O. Papilio, O. Gardnerianum, 0. luridum, 
 
94 
 
 O. Krameri, 0. dasystyle, 0. prsetextum, Stanhopea insignia, S. tigrina, S. 
 Waxdi, Thunia alba, T. Marshall!, T. Bensoniae, Trichopilia coccmea, T. 
 G-aleottiana. 
 
 JULY. Bollea ccelestis, Anguloa uniflora, Cattleya Eldorado C. Gas- 
 kelliana. C. Leopold!, C. superba splendens, Cymbidiutn pendulum, Cypri- 
 pedium Isevigatum, C. Veitchii, Dendrobium Farmer!, D. sanguinolentum, 
 D. formosum giganteum, Epidendmm falcatum, E. radiatum, Grammato- 
 phyllutn Ellisii, Masdevallia Trochilus, M. Normanii, Miltonia Regnelli, 
 Odontoglossum Insleayi, O. Schleiperianum, 0. constrictum, Oncidium 
 bicolor, 0. leucochilum, 0. Lanceanum, 0. incurvum, O. ampliatum, Phal- 
 nopsis rosea, P. violacea, Promenaea stapelioides, Sobralia macrantha, Vanda 
 limbata, Zygopetalum maxiilare. 
 
 AUGUST. Aerides quinquevulnerum, Acropera Loddigesii. Bras?avola 
 nodosa, Cattleya Loddigesi, C. Wallisi, C. speciosissima, Cypripedium 
 Harrisianum, Dendrobium Deari, D. Tattonianum, D. triadenium, Disa 
 grandiflora, Lycaste Cobbiana, L. Smeeana, Masdevallia Davisi, Miltonia 
 spectabilis, Odontoglossum bictonense, O. grande, Oncidium tigrinum, 
 R strepia elegans, Sarcanthus Parishii, S. teretifolius, Trichopilia tortilis, 
 Satyrium aureum, Stanhopea aurea, S. oculata, Warscewiczella Wenolandi, 
 Zygopetalum Gautieri. 
 
 SEPTEMBER. Coelia macrostachya, Cattleya maxima, Cymbidium 
 Mastersii, Burlingtonia granadensis, Dendrobium Ajax, D. crumenatum, 
 D. leucolophoturn, Houlletia odoratissima, Laelia aucumnali?, L. pumila, 
 Maxillaria nigrescens, Miltonia Clowesii, Oncidium aurosum, 0. Harmonise, 
 0. trulliferrm, Phalaenon-is violacea Schrosieri, Rodriguezia planifoiia, 
 Vanda 0031016^, V. multiflora. 
 
 OCTOBER. Burlingtonia decora, Cyrtochilum maculatum, Cypripedium 
 Spicerianum, Goodyera discolor, Houlletia chrysantha, Dendrobium bigib- 
 bum, Miltonia Weltpni, Laelia Dormaniana, L. praastans, L. Perrini, L. 
 marginata, Masdevallia tovarecsis, Maxiilaria picta, Odontoglossum Roezli, 
 Phalasnopsis Esm ralda, P. Lowi, Pleione humilis, Sophronids grandiflora, 
 Trichocentrum albo-purpurcum, Trichosma suavis, Zygopetalum Mackayi. 
 
 NOVEMBER. Barkeria Barkeriola, Calanthe Veitchi, C. vestita, C. vestita 
 lutea, Catdeya Holfordi, Coelogyne assamica, C. falci^p,, Cymbidium gigan- 
 teum, C. sinense, Cypripedium niveum, Dendrobium heterocarpum Philip- 
 pinense, Ep ; dendrum cQiare, Masdevallia octhodes, Maxillaria venusta, 
 Miltonia Mornliana, Oncidium cbeirophorum, Pleiona lagenaria, Vanda 
 Sanderiana, Zygopttalum crinitum coaruleum. 
 
 DECEMBER. Angraacum Scottianum, A. sesquipedale, Barkeria Skmneri, 
 Cattleya dolosa, Cypripedium concolor, Dendrobium nobile coerulescens, 
 D. Paxtoni, Laelia peduncuiaris, Odontoglossum gloriosum, O. Insleayi 
 Leopardinum, Pholidota imbricaca, Sophronitis cernua. 
 
 TWO HUNDRED CHEAP USEFUL ORCHIDS. 
 The appended list contains a selection of the cheapest Orchids 
 suitable to form a good representative collection for an amateur 
 commencing the culture of these plants, and it has been made as 
 diversified as possible, excluding those most difficult of culture. They 
 are arranged in the houses which suit them best during growth, but 
 it will be understood that when in flower or resting the plants of the 
 
95 
 
 warm houses can be placed in cooler quarters. Where not otherwise 
 stated the plants can be grown in pots in peat and sphagnum. Few 
 are named for blocks, baskets being preferred for the reasons before 
 explained. 
 
 WAKM HOUSE. Aerides crassifolium (basket), crispum, odoratum, 
 roseum, virens ; Anoectochilus (peat, sand, and sphagnum), Lowi, 
 setaceum ; Angrsecum citratum, sesquipedale ; Arundina bambusse- 
 folia (peat and loam) ; Cypripedium caudatum, concolor (peat, sand, 
 and lime), Lawrencianum, niveum, Spicerianum, Stonei, superbiens ;, 
 Cyrtopodium punctatum (loam and manure) ; Dendrobium aggregatum 
 (pot or block), Ainsworthi, Dearei, formosum, luteolum, macrophyllum, 
 tbyrsifolium, Wardianum (basket) ; Dendrochilum filiforme, gluma- 
 ceum ; Epidendrum ticornutum (peat) ; Galeandra Devoniana (peat) ; 
 Huntleya violacea (peat) ; lonopsis paniculata (block) ; Limatodes 
 rosea (peat, loam, and sand) ; Mormodes pardinum (peat) ; Oncidium 
 zebrinum ; Phalsenopsis (pot, basket, or block) amabilis, grandiflora, 
 Luddemanniana, Schilleriana ; Saccolabium (basket), ampul laceum, 
 Blumei majus, curvifolium, giganteum ; Scuticaria Steeli (block) ; 
 Thunia alba, BensoniaB, Marshalliana ; Vanda teres, tricolor, Parishi ; 
 Vanilla aromatica. 
 
 INTERMEDIATE HOUSE. Acineta Humboldti (basket) ; Aerides 
 Fieldingi, japonicum, maculosum ; Angrseoum falcatum ; Bate- 
 mannia Melcagris ; Brassavola Digbyana (block) ; Brassia Lanceana, 
 verrucosa major ; Broughtonia sanguinea (block) ; Burlingtoma 
 (basket, sphagnum) Candida, fragrans ; Calauthe (loam, leaf soil, 
 and manure) Matuca, Veitchi, vestita ; Cattleya Ackl^ndise (block), 
 amethystoglossa, crispa, Dowiana (basket), Eldorado, gigas, guttata 
 Leopolni, intermedia, labiata, Mendeli, Mossise, Skinneri, Trianae, 
 Walkeriana (C bulbosa, block), Warscewiczii ; Chysis bractescens ; 
 Coelogyne ocellata ; Colax jugosus ; Comparettia falcata (block, 
 sphagnum) ; Cypripedium barbatum, Harrisonianum, Roezli ; Den- 
 drobium chrysanthum (basket), chrysotoxum (peat), crassinode 
 (basket, sphagnum), deneiflorum (peat), Devonianum (basket, sphag- 
 num), Falconeri (basket), heterocarpum (aureum), nobile, Pierardi 
 (basket), primulinum (basket, sphagnum) ; Epidendrum nemorale ; 
 Goodyera pubescens (sphagnum) ; Laelia cinnabarina, elegans, harpo- 
 phylla, majalis, Perrini, purpurata ; Leptotes bicolor (peat) ; Lycaste 
 (peat), aromatica, Harrisonise, Skinneri ; Miltonia (peat), cuneata, 
 spectabilis ; Odontoglossum Phalsenopsis, Roezli, vexillarium ; 
 Oncidium ampliatum majus, flexuosum (sphagnum), Forbesi (block), 
 Papilio (block), sphacelatum ; Peristeria elata (loam and leaf soil) ; 
 Phajus grandifolius (loam, leaf soil, an1 manure) ; Sobralia 
 macrantha (peat) ; Uropedium Lindeni (loam, Band, and peat) j.. 
 Vanda ccerulea ; Zygopetalum (peat), crinitum, Mackayi. 
 
96 
 
 COOL HOUSE. Ada aurantiaca ; Auguloa (peat), Clowesi, uniflora ; 
 Arpophyllum giganteum (peat) ; Barkeria elegans (block) ; Bletia 
 hyacinthina (loam and leaf soil) ; Catileya citrina (block) ; Chysis 
 aurea ; Crelogyne cribtata ; Cy rubidium (peat and loam) eburneum, 
 giganteum ; Cypripedium insi^ne Maulei, Sedeni, venubtum, villoeum ; 
 L)endrobiuin Jamebianum, D^sa giandiflora (peat, sand, t-phagnum, 
 and manure) ; Epidendiurn vitellinum ; Laelia acuminata, albida 
 (block), anct ps, autumnalis, Dayana ; Masdevallia Davisi, Harryana, 
 ignea, Lindeni, polybticta, Shuttleworth?, tovarenbis, Veitchiana 
 (Fig. 22); Maxillariagrandiflora, veniuta ; Mesospmidiumsanguineum ; 
 
 Fig. 22. Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum. 
 
 Nanodes MedussB (basket) ; Odontoglossum Alexandras (crispum), 
 Cervantesi, cirrhosum, citrosmum, cordatum, gloriosum, grande, 
 Halli, Insleayi, maculatum, odoratum, Oerstedi (pot or block), 
 Pescatorei, pulchellum, Kussi (basket or block), triumphans ; Onci- 
 dium cheirophorum, concolor, cucullatum, Marshallianum, ornitho- 
 rhynchum, tigrinum ; Pescatorea cerina ; Pilumna fragrans, Pleione 
 (loam, peat, sphagnum, and sand), humilis, lagenaria, maculata, 
 Wallichiana ; PromenaBa citrina (peat) ; Sophronitis grandiflora 
 (pot or basket) ; Stanhopea (basket, sphagnum), aurea, grandiflora, 
 tigrina ; Trichopilia (peat), coccinea, suavis ; Trichosma suavis 
 (peat). 
 
97 
 
 THE DURATION OF ORCHID FLOWERS. 
 
 Many Orchids continue in flower for a great time, either from the 
 duration of the individual flowers or their production in succession 
 over an extended period. Some, like Cypripedium insigne, last for a 
 remarkably long time when cut and placed in water, continuing fresh 
 for two or three weeks. Dendrobiums of the nobile character are 
 useful for cutting, as they can be employed in bouquets and button- 
 holes with great advantage, though not lasting so well as the 
 Cypripedium. To assist in the preservation of flowers on the plants 
 avoid an excess of moisture in ths air, and be careful not to damp 
 the flowers when syringing. Some also remove the pollinia to 
 prevent fertilisation, and where bees are numerous this is advantageous, 
 as the flowers of most Orchids fade almost immediately after fertili- 
 sation. The list appended gives the names of a selection of the 
 Orchids which continue longest in flower : 
 
 Orchids lasting eight weeks in bloom Vanda Sanderiana, 
 Oncidium Jonesianum, and Coelogyne ocellata. Lasting twelve weeks 
 Cypripedium Argus, C. barbaium, C. Spicerianum, Dendrobium 
 Deari, Lycatte Skinneri, and Masdevallia ignea Lasting thirteen 
 weeks Oncidium tigrinum, Odontoglossum cariniferum, 0. Rossi 
 majup, S phronitis grandiflora, and Vanda ccerulea. Lasting sixteen 
 weeks Cypripedium Harmianum, Calanthe Regnieri, Epidendruin 
 crassifolium, Laslia pumila Dayana, Odontoglossum cordatum, O. 
 bictonense, Oncidium cucullatum, 0. incurvum, Masdevallia tovarensis, 
 Phalajnopsis grandiflora, and Vanda Batemani. Lasting twenty 
 weeks Epidendrum radiatum, O. vitellinum majue, Odontoglossum 
 maculatum, 0. membranaceum, Oncidium flexuosum, and 0. lingus- 
 forme. Lasting twenty-six weeks Dendrobium bigibbum, Masde- 
 vallia Normarii, Odontoglossum Uro- Skinneri, and Pbalsenopsisrosea. 
 
 The Cymbidiums also last a long time, and others could be named, 
 but those mentioned will suffice as examples, though one curious 
 instance, Masdevallia octhodes, deserve notice, as a plant has been 
 had in flower for five years. 
 
 ORCHIDS OUT OF DOORS. 
 
 Many of the Orchids already named in the various lists can, under 
 certain favourable conditions, be placed out of doors during the 
 summer months, and the hardier of the cool Orchids seem benefited 
 by such treatment ; while with all it has the advantage of keeping 
 them free from insects, and ripens the growths well. It can, however, 
 only be safely done in gardens that are rather sheltered and moist in 
 warm districts, like the southern counties of England. To expose 
 Orchids in hot, dry, or cold gardens would be ruinous, and amateurs 
 who do not wish to lose a large proportion of their plants had better 
 
not try such experiments ; though with any kind of shelter, as an 
 ordinary frame, most cool Orchids can be grown during the six 
 warmer months of the year. The principal experiments with Orchids 
 out of doors have been tried in Mr. A. H. Smee's garden, where large 
 numbers have been placed out from June to October with satisfactory 
 results, but this garden has a low moist situation, and is otherwise 
 favourable for the purpose. [See Journal of Horticulture, p. 392, 
 November 8th, and pp. 481 and 550, December, 1883.] Upon the 
 continent similar experiments have been repeatedly tried ; indeed it 
 is quite common there to place all but the most tender Orchids 
 outside in the summer. 
 
 HAEDY ORCHIDS. 
 
 The hints which have been previously given refer exclusively to 
 the exotic Orchids, which require to be grown in glass houses in this 
 country, but there is a large group of beautiful species, mostly 
 terrestrial, which can be cultivated out of doors. Amongst them are 
 several found wild in Britain, but none the less worthy of attention 
 on that account, though we owe the showiest to North America, such 
 as the beautiful rose and white Cypripedmm spectabile, which, when 
 well grown, is superior to many of its tropical brethren. Orchis 
 foliosa and maculata, with crimson and spotted flowers in dense 
 racemes, are also plants of great attraction, and admirably adapted 
 for culture in pots. We have plenty structurally interesting in the 
 genus Ophrys, which comprises the Bee. Spider, and Fly Orchids, and 
 many are also sweetly scented. The situation most suitable to the 
 greater number is at the foot of a rather shady bank or rockery, and 
 then the other species which are found on higher lands, and require a 
 chalky or sandy soil, can be accommodated upon the slope. For some 
 a constantly damp soil of peat, leaf mould, and a little turfy loam is 
 the best, such as Cypripedium spectabile, Epipactis palustris, Orchis 
 foliosa, O. latifolia, O. maculata, and 0. Stabiana. Another group 
 requires a slightly drier position and a small proportion of sand in 
 the soil, such as Calopogon pulchellus, Cephalanthera grandiflora, 
 C. rubra, Cypripediums acaule, Calceolus, candidum, japonieum, ma- 
 cranthum, and pubescens ; Epipactis latifolia, Goodyera pubescens, 
 Gymnadenia conopsea, Habenaria japonica, H. radiata, and H. 
 viridis ; Orchis mascula, papilionacea, and spectabilis ; Serapias 
 cordigeia, and longipetala. The third group require to be compara- 
 tively dry during winter, but moist at other times, though not wet 
 like the first named, and the soil should consist of loam or peat and 
 chalk. The best for this position are the following : Aceras anthro- 
 pophora, Habenaria bifolia, lutea, and chlorantha ; Neottia spiralis, 
 Ophrys arachnites, aranifera, apifera, Speculum, tenthredinifera ; 
 Orchis atlantica, coriophora, longicornis, militaris, pyramidalis, and 
 nndulatifolia. Some of those named for the cool house can also be 
 
99 
 
 grown, like Bletia hyacinthina, and Disa grandiflora can also be grown 
 in cold frames out of doors, and the former has proved hardy iu a 
 few sheltered districts. All the hardy Orchids deserve much more 
 attention than they receive, and they are by no means so difficult to 
 grow as some imagine, if strong roots are obtained when dormant, and 
 planted either in late autumn or early spring, the latter being the best 
 if the plants are giving no signs of growth. The greatest trouble is 
 experienced with wild plants lifted when in growth and transferred to 
 gardens, as these almost invariably die. Most of the species enumerated 
 can now be purchased cheaply at nurseries, where hardy plants are 
 made a specialty. 
 
 DENDROBIUM BENSONLE. 
 
THE ORCHIDIST'S DIRECTORY. 
 
 Adams, H. J., Roseneath, Enfield. 
 
 Adcock, E. H., West View Bank, Mount Aden Park, Lordship Lane, 
 
 London. 
 Ainsworth, Dr. R. F., Lower Brougliton, Manchester. 
 
 Ballantine, H.. The Dell Gardens, Egham. 
 
 Bateman, James, Worthing. 
 
 Bleu, M. A., Avenue d'ltalie 48, Paris, France. 
 
 Berwick, Alfred, High am Hill, Walthamstow, Essex. (J. Gilks.) 
 
 Boscawen, Hon. and Rev. J. T., Lamorran, Probus, Cornwall. 
 
 Bowring, J. C., Forest Farm, Windsor Forest. 
 
 Broome, J., Fairlawn, Didsbury, Manchester. 
 
 Brymer, W. E., M.P., Ilsingtoii House, Dorchester. 
 
 Buchan, H. J., Wilton House, Southampton. 
 
 Buchanan, J., Oswald Road, Morningside, Edinburgh. 
 
 Burbidge, F. W., Curator Botanic Garden, Trinity College, Dublin. 
 
 Chamberlain, Rt. Hon. J., M.P., Highbury, Moseley, Birmingham. 
 
 (E. Cooper.) 
 
 Christy. J., Malvern House, Sydenham. 
 Cobb, W., Silverdale Lodge, Sydenham. (A. G. Catt.) 
 Cookson, Norman C., Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne. 
 Courtauld, S., Booking Place, Braintree, Essex. 
 Crawshay, De B., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, Kent. 
 Curie, A., Prionwood, Melrose, N.B. 
 Crowley, Philip, W addon House, Croydon. 
 
 Day, J., High Cross, Tottenham, London. 
 
 Devonshire, Duke of, Chatsworth, Derbyshire. (Owen Thomas.) 
 
 Dominy, J., 11, Tadema Road, Chelsea, S.W. 
 
 Dorman, C., The Firs, Lawrie Park, Sydenham. 
 
 Douglas, J., Great Gearies Gardens, Ilford, Essex. 
 
 Duke, J. C., The Glen, Lewisham, Kent. 
 
 Dumper, E., Summerville Gardens, Limerick. 
 
 Elliott, H. W., Selly Oak, Birmingham. 
 
 Fellows, Joshua, Churchfield, West Broniwich, Birmingham. 
 Findlay, Bruce, Curator Botanic Gardens, Old Trafford, Manchester. 
 Fry, Lord Justice, 5, The Grove, Highgate. 
 
 Gair, J., The Kilns, Falkirk, N.B. 
 Gaskell, H., Woolton Wood, Liverpool. (W. Davies.) 
 Germiny, Conite de, Chateau de Gouville, Rouen, France. 
 Gordon, J., Aikenhead, Cathcart, Glasgow. 
 
101 
 
 Heine, A., Fallowfield, Manchester. 
 
 Harvey, Enoch, Riversdale Koad, Aigburth, Liverpool. 
 
 Heriot, G., Cholmeley Park, Highgate, London. 
 
 Heywood, John, The Grange, Stretford r Manchester. 
 
 Heywood, Mrs., Norris Green, West Derby, Liverpool. (W. Bardney.) 
 
 Hill, E., Tring Park Gardens, Tring, Herts. 
 
 Hill, E. G., Arnot Hill, Nottingham. 
 
 Ingram, C. L. N., Elstead House, Godalming, Surrey. (T. W. Bond.) 
 Knox, Brownlow D., Ardmillan, Caversham, Beading. 
 
 Latham, W. B., Curator Botanic Gardens, Birmingham. 
 
 Lawrence, Sir Trevor, Bart., M.P., Burford Lodge, Dorking. (Bicker- 
 staff e.) 
 
 Lee, Wm., Downside, Leatherhead, Surrey. (C. Woolford.) 
 
 Lemon, R. B., Moat Lodge, The Avenue, Beckenham, Kent. 
 
 Lencly, Major, Sunbury House, Sunbury, Middlesex. (S. West.) 
 
 Little, H., Hillingdon Place, Uxbridge. 
 
 Lothian, Marquis of, Newbattle, Dalkeith, N.B. 
 
 Louvrex, M. D. Massange de, Chateau de Baillonville, Ardennes, 
 Marche, France. 
 
 Macdonald, W., Woodlands, Perth, N.B. 
 
 Maiirwaring, S. K., Otley Park, Shrewsbury. 
 
 Marlborough, Duke of, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxon. (G. A. 
 
 Bethell.) 
 
 Mason, Major F., The Firs, Warwick. 
 Massange, M. F., Liege, Belgium. 
 
 Moore, F. W., Curator Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, Dublin. 
 Moore, T., Curator Botanic Garden, Chelsea. 
 
 Newman, C. W., Wyncote, Allerton, Liverpool. 
 Norman, Rev. J. B., Whitchurch Rectory, Edgware. 
 
 O'Brien, James, West Street, Harrow-on-the-Hill. 
 
 Partington, E. J., Heaton House, Cheshunt. 
 
 Paterson, Dr. A., Fernfield, Bridge of Allan, N.B. 
 
 Peacock, J. T., Sudbury House, Hammersmith. 
 
 Philbrick, F. A., Q.C., Oldfield, Bickley, Kent. (H. Heims.) 
 
 Pickersgill, W., Blendon Hall, Bexley. 
 
 Pollett, H. M., Fernside, Bickley, Kent. 
 
 Portman, Hon. Mrs., Buxted Park, Uckfield. (H. C. Prinsep.) 
 
 Potts, A., Hoole Hall, Chester. 
 
 Beichenbach, Professor H. G., Director Botanic Garden, Hamburgh. 
 
 Bendlesham, Lord, M.P., Woodbridge, Suffolk. 
 
 Boss, H. J., Castagnola, Lastra a Signa, Italy. 
 
 Bothschild, Baron Alphonse de, Chateau de Ferrieres, Seine et Marne, 
 
 France. (M. Bergman.) 
 Bothschild, Sir Nathaniel de, Bart., M.P., Tring Park, Herts. 
 
 (E. Hill.) 
 Bothschild, Baron F. de, Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Bucks. (A, 
 
 Bradshaw.) 
 
102 
 
 Bothschild, Messrs. Gunnersbury Park. Acton. (J. Roberts.) 
 
 Salt, W. Ferniehurst, Shipley, Yorks. 
 
 Shaw, H., Corbar, Buxton, Derbyshire. 
 
 Schofield, G. W. C., Newhall, Eawtenstall, Manchester. 
 
 Schroder, Baron, The Dell, Egham. (H. Ballantine.) 
 
 Scott, C. W., Woodbank, Dumfries. (Cole.) 
 
 Scott, W. H., Nmifield, Dumfries. (Rowe.) 
 
 Seden, J., Messrs. Veitch and Sons, King's Road, Chelsea. 
 
 Sillem, A. J., Lawrie Park, Sydenham. 
 
 Smee, A. H., The Grange, Wallington, Surrey. (G. W. Cummins.) 
 
 Smith, H. Grose, The Priory, St. Helens, Isle of Wight. 
 
 Smith, R., Brentham Park, Stirling, N.B. 
 
 Smith, W. H., M.P., Greenlands, Henley-on-Thames. 
 
 Southgate, J., Selborne, Leigham Court Road, Streatham (C. Salter.) 
 
 Sutherland, Duke of, Trentham Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. (Z. 
 
 Stevens.) 
 Swan, W., Howick House Gardens, Preston. 
 
 Tait, E., Milrig, Galston. 
 
 Thompson, W., The Grange, Walton, Stone, Staffordshire. 
 
 Titley, T. A., Gledhow, Leeds. 
 
 Tonks. E., Knowle, near Birmingham. 
 
 Vanner, W., Camden Wood, Chislehurst, Kent. 
 
 Wales, Prince of, Sandringham, Norfolk. (C. Penny.) 
 
 Walker, C., Brettagh Holt, Milnthorpe. 
 
 Warner, R., Broomfield, Chelmsford. 
 
 White, R. R., Arddarrock, Garelochead, Dumbartonshire, 
 
 Whyte, R., Portland House, Old Kent Road, Lee. 
 
 Williams, W., Sugnall, Eccleshall, Staffs. 
 
 Wills, A. W., Wylde Green, near Birmingham. (J. Morgan.) 
 
 Wilson, T., Oakholme, Sheffield. (Wm. Hannah.) 
 
 Winn, C., Selly Oak, Birmingham. (G. Barnes.) 
 
 Wood, E. L., Freelands, Perth, N.B. (J. Routledge.) 
 
 Wright, E., Gravely Hill, Birmingham. 
 
 Wrigley, E. G., Howick House, Preston. (W. Swan.) 
 
 Wyatt, R., Lake House, Cheltenham. (T. Simcoe.) 
 
 The above list contains the names of the principal Amateur Orchidists, 
 the names of the Gardeners being placed in brackets, or, if arranged 
 in alphabetical order, the word " Gardens " is appended to the name 
 of the place. At the majority of the establishments good collections 
 of Orchids are grown, and collections will be found at nearly all the 
 Provincial and other Botanic Gardens, that at the Royal Gardens^ 
 Kew t being one of the most extensive. 
 
I N D E X. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Aerides Lawrencice 52 
 
 Aldridge, Collection by 41 
 
 American Orchids 36 
 
 Anoectochilus 14 
 
 Anderson, James 45 
 
 Angraecum" fragrans 34 
 
 A. sesquipedale 21 
 
 Aplectrum hyemale 34 
 
 Australian Orchids 38 
 
 Basketing 80 
 
 Baskets 79 
 
 Bassorine n 
 
 Bateman, J 41 
 
 Bird's Nest Orchid n 
 
 Bletia verecunda 40 
 
 Bolbophyllum barbigerum 20 
 
 Bourbon Isle Tea 34 
 
 Broughton Hall Orchids 42 
 
 Butterfly Orchid 28 
 
 Calanthe Dominii 43 
 
 Caleana nigrita 19 
 
 Catasetum 25 
 
 Chatsworth Orchids 41 
 
 Classification 31 
 
 Clinandrium 15 
 
 Clowes, Rev. J 42 
 
 Coelogyne cristata alba 52 
 
 Colley, Collection by 41 
 
 Colours of Orchids 16 
 
 Column 21 
 
 Cool House, Orchids for the ... 96 
 
 Corallorhiza n 
 
 Coral Root n 
 
 Coryanthes macrantha 29 
 
 Cottage Gardener, The 42 
 
 Covvhorn Orchid 12 
 
 Cryptostylis sanguinea 18 
 
 Cypripedium Stonei platytsenium 52 
 
 Cultivators' enemies 89 
 
 Cultural Materials 75 
 
 Cultural Operations 80 
 
 Cultural Utensils 77 
 
 Culture of Orchids 64 
 
 Cycnoches 26 
 
 Cymbidium Lowianura 18 
 
 C. Parishi 52 
 
 Cypripedium caudatum 18 
 
 Darwin, C 44 
 
 Day's, Mr., Orchids 52 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Dendrobium Brymerianum 19 
 
 D. nobile nobilitis 53 
 
 Diseases of Orchids 90 
 
 Dominy, J 43 
 
 Dominys Hybrids 56 
 
 Dossinia marmorata 14 
 
 Dove Orchid ... 28 
 
 Duration of Orchid Flowers 18 & 97 
 
 Epichilium 19 
 
 Epipactis latifolia 
 
 Epiphytes 
 
 Epipogium Gmelini 
 Established Orchids 
 
 34 
 
 10 
 
 ii 
 
 64 
 
 Faham 34 
 
 Fertilisation 29 
 
 Floral Fashion 5 
 
 Flowers of Orchids 14 
 
 Flowers, Duration of 18 & 97 
 
 Fruit 24 
 
 Galeola (Erythorchis) altissima ... 
 
 Gardeners' Chronicle, The 
 
 Gherkin Orchid 
 
 Gibson, John, Collections by 
 
 Goodyera 
 
 Gynostegium 
 
 Hardy Orchids 
 
 Harrisons' Collections at Liverpool 
 
 Helleborine 
 
 Heteromorphism 
 
 Hexisea 
 
 H istory of Orchids 
 
 Hodclesdon, Orchid Growers at ... 
 
 Homes of Orchids 
 
 Houses, Orchid 
 
 Hybrid Orchids 
 
 Hybrids, Natural 
 
 Hypochilium 
 
 Imported Orchids 
 
 Insects infesting Orchids 
 
 Intermediate House, Orchids for the 
 Javi, Vegetation of 
 
 Labellum, The 
 
 Laeliabella 
 
 Lance, Collection by 
 
 Lawrence, Mrs 
 
 Lawrence, Sir Trevor, Bart. , M. P. 
 Leaves of Orchids ... 
 
104 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Lee, W 46 
 
 Lindley, J 41 
 
 Lobbs, Travels of the 44 
 
 Loam for Orchids 76 
 
 Lycaste Skinneri, Durability of 
 
 Flowers 18 
 
 Manures for Orchids 76 
 
 Megaclinium 20 
 
 M. Bufo 28 
 
 Mesochilium 19 
 
 Mimicry in Orchids 28 
 
 Monachanthus 25 
 
 Monopodial Orchids 12 
 
 Moth Orchids, Roots of 10 
 
 Myanthus 25 
 
 Nectar, Uses and Origin of 21 
 
 Neottia nidus avis .. n 
 
 Odontoglossum crispum 
 
 O. crispum, Knox's variety... 
 
 Odours of Orchids 
 
 Oncidiurn nubigenum 
 
 O. Papilio 
 
 Orange and Scarlet Orchids 
 
 Orchidist's Directory 
 
 Orchid, First Hybrid 
 
 Orchid, First Imported 
 
 Orchid Conference 
 
 Orchid Literature 
 
 Orchid Life 
 
 Orchid Mysteries 
 
 Orchid of the Clouds 
 Orchids on Rocks ... 
 Orchids, the smallest 
 Orchids, Prizes for 
 Orchids at Manchester.. 
 Orchids, Value of ... 
 
 Orchid, the Most Valuable 
 
 Orchids, Two Hundred, Cheap, 
 
 Useful 
 
 Orchids for Every Mr nth 
 
 Orchid Case for a Window 
 
 Orchids Out of Doors 
 
 Orchid Pan 
 
 Ovary 
 
 Paterson, Dr. A 
 
 Paterson's Sale of Orchids 
 
 Paxtonia rosea 
 
 Peat 
 
 Percival, R. P 
 
 Petals of Orchids 
 
 Phalsenopsis, Roots producing 
 
 Young Plants 
 
 Phalzenopis amabilis 
 
 45 
 
 '. 36 
 . 28 
 . 92 
 .100 
 
 43 
 . 40 
 
 ' i 9 
 
 . 62 
 
 . 8 
 
 25 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Philbrick, F. A. 46 
 
 Pollen Masses 15-21 
 
 Potting 80 
 
 Prizes, Large, offered in 1886 ... 49 
 
 Propagating Orchids 86 
 
 Pseudo Bulbs 12 
 
 Pterostylis, Lip of 20 
 
 Putty-root 34 
 
 Regnier, M 50 
 
 Reichenbach, Professor 43 
 
 Resting Orchids 81 
 
 Roezl, B 50 
 
 Roots 10 
 
 Salep 32 
 
 Saprophytes n 
 
 Schomburkia Tibicinis 12 
 
 Schroder, Baron 46 
 
 Seden's Hybrids 56 
 
 Seeds 24 
 
 Selections of Orchids 90 
 
 Sepals of Orchids 18 
 
 Shading Orchid Houses 84 
 
 Sphagnum 75 
 
 Spiranthes australis 37 
 
 Spirito Santo Orchid 23 
 
 Stems of Orchids n 
 
 Stems, Dr. Pfitzer's, Classification of 12 
 
 Structures for Orchids 66 
 
 Swan Orchid 26 
 
 Sympodial Orchids 12 
 
 Syringing Orchids 81 
 
 Tasmanian Potato 34 
 
 Temperatures for Orchids 73 
 
 Terrestial Orchids n 
 
 Thelymitra 15 
 
 Theory of Orchid Structure 30 
 
 Toad Orchid 28 
 
 Tongue Orchid 38 
 
 Trumpet Orchid 12 
 
 Uses of Orchids 32 
 
 Value of Orchids 50 
 
 Vanda (Renanthera) Lowii 26 
 
 Vanilla 33 
 
 Veitch, J., and Sons 43 
 
 Ventilating Orchid Houses 84 
 
 Vineries, Orchids for 72 
 
 Warner, Robert 44 
 
 Warm House, Orchids for the ... 95 
 
 Warscewicz's Collections , 43 
 
 Watering Orchids 81 
 
 White-flowered Orchids 91 
 
 Williams, B. S 42 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Cattleya Flower, section 22 
 
 Cycnoches Warscewiczii 27 
 
 Cypripedium Leeanum superbum 47 
 
 Dendrobium Bensonise... C9 
 
 Dendrobium Brymerianum 17 
 
 Dendrobium nobile nobilius 54 
 
 Hygrometers 83-84 
 
 Lawrence, Sir Trevor, Bart., M.P., Portrait of (frontispiece). 
 
 Masdevallia Shuttle worthii 44 
 
 Odontoglossum crispum (Alexandras) 9 
 
 Odontoglossum Pescatorei Veitchianum 96 
 
 Oncidium tigrinum 37 
 
 Orchid Baskets 79 
 
 Orchid Case G8 
 
 Orchid Flowers 13 
 
 Orchid Houses, Plan of 70-71 
 
 Orchid Pan 73 
 
 Orchis Mascula, flower of 23 
 
 Paxtonia rosea 16 
 
 Thermometer, a useful 83 
 
 Zygopetalum Clayi 60 
 
ADDENDA et CORRIGENDA. 
 
 PAGE 12. Line 11, "proceeding" should be "preceding." 
 
 ,, 14. " Ansectochilus " should be " Ancectochilus." 
 
 15. For further Bemarks on Manures for Orchids see p. 76. 
 
 Paxtonia was established as a genus by Lindley, but after- 
 wards P. rosea was regarded as a regular form of 
 Spathoglottis spicata. 
 
 16. Some of the brightest blue tints are found in the Australian 
 Caladenias. 
 
 18 & 23." Fig. 1 " sliould be " Fig. 12." 
 
 28." Fig. 4 " should be " Fig. 3." 
 
 i, 37. At the end of line seven " found " is omitted. 
 
 38." Phaius " should be " Phajus." 
 
 40. " Gerarde " should be " Gerard " and " Epidendium " should 
 be " Epidendrum." 
 
 42. The Sixth Edition of the Orchid Grower's Manual is now 
 published, see p. 62. 
 
 i, 62. To the list of Orchid works must be added " L'Orchidophile," 
 published monthly at Argenteuil, France, and 
 "Beichenbachia," published monthly by Messrs. 
 Sander & Co., St. Albans. The "Lindenia" is also 
 published monthly in Belgium. 
 
 Fleet Printing: Works. 14. Whitefriars Street, E.G. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 CHOICE ORCHIDS. 
 
 TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GOOD PLANTS TO SELECT FROM 
 
 AT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 
 
 WILLIAM BULL, F.L.S. 
 
 Mr. W. B. has the largest and best Stock in Europe of 
 good established plants. His Orchid Houses are always 
 quite a sight, from the large number of plants in flower, 
 and he will be pleased to show them to anyone interested 
 in this beautiful class. 
 
 Mr. W. B. recommends those desirous of having their 
 houses gay with Orchid flowers to purchase good, established, 
 well-cultivated plants, which bloom well, are more satis- 
 factory, and comparatively cheaper than newly imported or 
 semi-established plants. 
 
 Orchids in Good Plants can be Supplied at 
 5/-, 7/6, and 10/6 each. 
 
 Besides plants at the above prices, Mr. W. B. has a 
 large quantity of very fine specimens (some of them unique), 
 at 5, 10, 15, and 20 guineas each, and upwards. 
 
 By sending names of those already possessed, different 
 varieties can be given, and purchasers will love a good 
 selection made for them. 
 
 A Priced Illustrated Catalogue of New Plants and 
 Orchids can be had on Application. Price Is. 
 
 Establishment for New and Rare Plants, 
 
 536, King's Road, Chelsea, London, S.W, 
 
"INVICTA" LAWN SEEDS, 
 
 Used at the " London," " Vienna," " Paris," " Sydney," " Melbourne," 
 
 " Fisheries," " Amsterdam," " Health," and " Inventions" Exhibitions, 
 
 Sandringham, &c., has beaten all competitors in every competition. 
 
 PRICES. SEASON 1886 
 
 "Invicta" Lawn Seeds (with 
 Clover) 
 
 BUSH. 
 S. d. 
 
 25 
 22 6 
 
 20 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 GAL. 
 S. d. 
 
 3 3 
 3 
 
 2 9 
 3 3 
 
 3 3 
 
 2 9 
 2 9 
 2 9 
 
 2 9 
 
 LB. 
 S. d. 
 
 1 3 
 
 1 3 
 
 1 
 1 3 
 
 1 3 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 In Sealed 
 Packets 
 Is. 
 Is. 6d. 
 and 
 2s. 6d. 
 per 
 Packet. 
 
 " Invicta" Lawn Sseds (without 
 Clover) 
 
 Ordinary Lawn Grass Seeds 
 (with Clov.r) 
 
 Grass Seeds for Town Lawns 
 
 Grass Seeds for Sowing under 
 Trees 
 
 The 
 
 1/6 packet 
 will sow 
 1 Eod 
 of 
 Ground. 
 
 Grass Seeds for Pleasure 
 Grounds 
 
 Grass SeedsforTennis Grounds 
 
 Grass Seeds for Cricket Grounds 
 
 Grass Seeds for Bowling Greens 
 and Croquat Grounds 
 
 Carters' Grass Seeds are used upon all the finest Lawns, and by all 
 the Leading Cricket and Tennis Clubs, notably the following : 
 
 M.O.O. at Lord's. 
 Essex C.O. 
 Scarborough C.C. 
 London Athletic Club. 
 
 Surrey C.C- at the Oval. 
 Crystal Palace C.C. 
 Richmond C.C. 
 Amateur Athletic Club, 
 , &c., &c. 
 
 CARTERS' GRASS MANURE. 
 
 A valuable preparation for producing a permanent luxuriant growth. 
 In Boxes, price I/-, 1/6, and 2/6. In Bags of 141bs. 4/- 
 In 
 
 Casks of |-cwt. 10/6. 
 FULL INSTRUCTIONS \V I TH EVERY 
 
 PARCEL. 
 
 Carters' Pamphlet upon the Formation of Lawns, Lawn 
 Tennis and Cricket Grounds Gratis and Post Free. 
 
 HA DT C DO* Seedsmen by Eoyal Warrants to H.M. The Queen, 
 (jf\ li I LnO j and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. 
 
 237 & 238, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 jraframtp 
 
 xrf 
 
 The extensive Ranges of Metallic Hot-houses in the Royal Gardens, Windsor and 
 Osborne, were executed at this establishment. 
 
 HENRY~HOPE 
 
 (Late Clark & Hope, formerly Clark), 
 
 55, LIONEL ST., BIRMINGHAM. 
 
 ESTABLISHED A.D. 1818. 
 
 IRON AND QLA88 CONSERVATORY ERECTED FOR JOHN PON3FORD, ESQ., J.P., 
 DREWSTEIGNTON, DEVON. 
 
 TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 From JOHN PONSFORD, Esq.,J.P., 
 
 Ford, Drewsteignton, Devon, August, 1873. 
 
 I have much pleasure in testifying to the satisfactory manner in which my Con- 
 servatory is erected. Its appearance is very elegant, and its strength has been 
 tested, as during a violent gale of wind in January, 1872, a large tree fell across it ; 
 but with exception of the glass and a small portion of the ironwork on which it 
 fell, the structure remained unshaken. 
 
 From EWAN CHRISTIAN, Esq., Architect, 
 
 8a, Whitehall Place, London, S.W., 13^ April, 1881. 
 
 SIR, You ask me for a testimonial as to your work ; the best I can give is to say 
 that, having had Conservatories and Garden Houses executed by you in various 
 places, at a cost, in the aggregate, of several thousand pounds, I have now to 
 request you to meet me on Tuesday next to take instructions for further works of a 
 similar kind, which I have assured my client you will execute excellently well. 
 
 The following unsolicited testimonial, which I have the privilege of using, is the 
 result of the above introduction : 
 
 From A. J. ROBERTS, Lombard Street, E.C. 
 
 Lillingstone Dayrell, Buckingham, zisf November, 1882. 
 
 SIR, I cannot help writing a few lines to say what very great satisfaction the 
 buildings* you have put up lor me are giving. The work is thoroughly good in 
 every way, and leaves nothing to be desired. 
 * A Range of Hot Houses, fitted with Hot Water Apparatus, and Back Shedding complete. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 ORCHIDS A SPECIALITY. 
 
 The Stock at the Clapton Nursery is of such magnitude that, without seeing it, it 
 is not easy to form an adequate conception of its unprecedented extent. 
 
 HUGH LOW & Co. 
 
 very cordially and respectfully solicit an inspection by all lovers of this interesting 
 
 and beautiful class of Plants, whether purchasers or not. 
 
 H. L. & Co. also invite inspection, by purchasers, of the immense and well-grown 
 Stock growing in their Nurseries at 
 
 CLAPTON AND BUSH HILL PARK, ENPIELD, 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 Acacias, Azaleas, Bouvardias, Camellias, Carnation (Tree), 
 
 Clematis, Cyclamen, Dracaenas, Ericas, Epacris, Ficus, 
 Ferns, Genistas, G-ardenias, G-revillea Robusta, Greenhouse 
 
 Plants in variety, Jasminum, Laurustinus, Latania 
 
 Borbonica, Palms and Decorative Flowering and Foliage 
 
 Plants in variety. Pelargoniums, Shrubs, Solanums, 
 
 Stove Plants, &c. 
 
 Fruit Trees and Roses in Large Quantities of Splendid Quality, 
 
 The Glass Structures cover an area of 257,500 superficial feet. 
 
 CLAPTON NURSERY, LONDON, E. 
 
 Kent: The Garden of England 
 
 THC OLD NURSERIES; 
 
 $ 
 
 p 
 
 O 
 
 d 
 P 
 
 300,000 Trees to select from. 
 
 They never fail to please, because they are grown in a soil that pro- 
 motes fibrous roots, and cultivated in a scientific manner. Vines, 
 Orchard House Trees, and Fruit Trees in every shape, age, and form. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 THOMSON'S 
 
 IMPROVED VINE & PLANT MANURE. 
 
 THIS Manure is now manufactured solely by us here. 
 Descriptive Circulars will be forwarded to any one applying. 
 
 Agent for London : JAS, GEORGE, 10, Yictoria Road, Putney. 
 
 * ORCHIDS. * 
 
 Our Collection contains a large and healthy Stock of choice 
 varieties and fine Specimens. 
 
 PRICES ON APPLICATION. 
 
 W. THOMSON & SONS, 
 
 TWEED VINEYARD, CLOVENFORDS, GALASHIELS. 
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUMS, 
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUMS SOLE SPECIALITE. 
 
 -Me N. DAVIS 
 
 IT AS by far the finest Collection in existence of all classes 
 of Chrysanthemums. Supplied true to name at moderate 
 
 prices. 
 
 CATALOGUE ON APPLICATION. 
 
 CHRYSANTHEMUM NURSERIES, LILFORD ROAD, 
 
 CAMBERWELL, LONDON, S.E. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 SIDNEY WILLIAMS' 
 
 CELEBRATED 
 
 Octagonal Teak Wood f 
 Orchid Baskets, j 
 
 MADE WITH 
 
 s Galvanised or Copper Wire 
 
 21, FARRINGDON ROAD, LONDON, E.G. 
 
 (CLOSE TO THE STATION). 
 
 ILLUSTRATED PRICE LIST ON APPLICATION. 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 WEEKLY-ONE PENNY. 
 
 A Paper for the Million, which should be obtained by all who take 
 
 pleasure in having a good supply of 
 'FLOWERS, FRUIT, AND VEGETABLES. 
 
 THE LARGEST, BEST, most PRACTICAL, and USEFUL 
 
 PENNY ILLUSTRATED GARDENING PAPER IN THE 
 
 WORLD. Every Amateur in Town or Country should obtain a copy. 
 
 " G A B D B N - W O B K " 
 
 May be obtained of any Bookseller, Stationer, or at any of the 
 Railway Bookstalls. 
 
 Annual Subscription 6/6, A First-class medium for Advertisers, 
 E. H. MAY, Publisher, 171, Fleet Street, London, E.G. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 HIGH-CLASS GARDENING PAPER. 
 
 T H E 
 
 JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE. 
 
 COTTAGE GARDENER AND HOME FARMER. 
 
 Conducted by ROBERT HOGG, LL.D., F.L.S. 
 
 Assisted by a Staff of the best Writers on Practical Gardening, and 
 
 numerous Amateur and Professional Writers eminent in the 
 
 various Departments of Horticulture. 
 
 (ESTABLISHED 1848.) 
 
 This widely circulating Journal consists of Thirty-two pages of Letter- 
 press, with occasional Supplements, and is richly illustrated with Wood 
 Engravings in the highest style of the Art. 
 
 The Journal of Horticulture contains the earliest reports of all important 
 Horticultural and other Shows. 
 
 GARDENING in all its aspects is treated exhaustively by the most prac- 
 tical and successful Cultivators of the day. 
 
 The HOME FARM. This Department contains sound and seasonable 
 advice on profitable Cropping, Stock Management, Manures and their appli- 
 cation, and the most approved modes of Dairy Farming. 
 
 BEES The most advanced Apiarians and the most successful Bee-keepers 
 in Great Britain are contributors to this section of this long-established and 
 increasingly popular publication. 
 
 A New Volume commences the First Week in JANUARY and JULY. 
 
 Published Weekly, price 3d. ; post free, 
 
 TKRMS OF SUBSCRIPTION : One Quarter, 3s. 9d. ; Half Year, 7s. 6d. ; On* Year, 15s 
 
 TO ADVERTISERS. The Journal of Horticulture will be 
 
 found a valuable and effective medium, from its extensive circulation among 
 
 the middle and higher classes, and is undoubtedly the best Trade paper. 
 
 Pott OMce Ordert to be made payable to Edward H. May. 
 
 Office : 171, Fleet Street, London, E.G. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
 Price is.; post free, is. 2d. 
 
 CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 
 
 The History and Culture of a Family of Plants remarkable for the 
 singularity of their forms and the beauty of their flowers, 
 
 With Numerous Illustrations. 
 
 BY LEWIS CASTLE, 
 
 (FORMERLY OF THE ROYAL GARDENS, KEW.) 
 
 OPINIONS. 
 
 Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, M.D., C.B., F.R.S. : 
 "Very useful, and will encourage a love of these singular plants." 
 Edmund Giles Loder, Esq., F.L.S., Floore, Weedon, Northamptonshire : 
 
 "Just the kind of book required by amateurs, and will, I think, give an 
 impetus to the cultivation of this most interesting class of plants." 
 
 Dr. A. Paterson, Fertifield, Bridge of Allan, N.B.: 
 " The volume on Cactaceous Plants is very interesting." 
 Mr. Bruce Findlay, Curator and Secretary, Royal Botanical Gardens, 
 
 Manchester : 
 
 ' ' I have read with pleasure and profit the interesting book on Cactaceous 
 Plants. The portraits are exceedingly well done, and the matter contained in the 
 book is both instructive and entertaining. It ought to have a large circulation." 
 
 Mr. W. B. Latham, Curator Birmingham Botanic Gardens : 
 ' ' I have been much interested in the book on Cactaceous Plants. It is very 
 comprehensive, giving excellent details as to classification, history, native country, 
 temperature, watering, soil, &c. It has filled a gap in horticultural literature, and 
 will, I hope, be the means of bringing these interesting, and in many cases most 
 beautiful, plants to the notice of cultivators. " 
 
 Mr. W. H. Baxter, Curator Oxford Botanic Gardens : 
 ' ' In the treatise on Cactaceous Plants the author has related their history 
 and explained their treatment very completely. The illustrations are good, the 
 select species very useful to those who possess only a limited knowledge of 
 the family, and the price places it within the reach of all interested in their 
 cultivation. " 
 
 Leo H. Grindon, Esq., Greenheys, Manchester : 
 
 1 ' The author has done good service in producing the treatise on Cactaceous 
 Plants. I like the introduction very much, also the historical portion, and the 
 descriptions seem to me as good as can be. I shall show the book wherever I 
 think it may excite interest." 
 
 Sir C. Nicholson, Bart., The Grange, Totteridge, Herts : 
 " The little book on Cacteae is very interesting, and I hope its merits may 
 receive due recognition in an ample sale." 
 
 "THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE" OFFICE, 
 
 171, FLEET STREET, LONDON, B.C. 
 
RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 
 
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 V 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 NOV 3 1 1983 
 
 
 
 
 n> DEC 1 1983 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 FORM NO DD 6A 12m 6'76 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKEI 
 
 BERKELEY, CA 94720 
 
 LD 21-100m-2,'55 
 (B139s22)476 
 
 General Library 
 
 University of California 
 
 Berkeley 
 
YB 48566 
 
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 * V