10. ROSES. By H. R. DARLINGTON, Vice-President of National
Rose Society. (Double volume.)

11. IRISES. By W. RICKATSON DYKES, M.A., L.-es-L. With
Preface by PROFESSOR I. BAYLEY BALFOUR, D.SC., F.R.S., &c.

12. ANNUALS, HARDY AND HALF-HARDY. By C. H. CURTIS, Hon.
Sec. of the National Sweet Pea Society.

13. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. By THOMAS STEVENSON, with chapters by C.
HARMAN PAYNE and CHARLES E. SHEA.

14. TULIPS. By the Rev. J. JACOB.

15. THE ROCK GARDEN. By REGINALD FARRER, Author of "Among
the Hills," "My Rock Garden," "In a Yorkshire Garden," &c.

These will be followed by volumes on ~Dahlias~, ~Climbers~, ~Trees and
Shrubs~, ~Paeonies~, ~Primulas~, ~Window Gardens~, ~Cucumbers~, ~Melons~,
~Bedding Plants~, ~Hardy Herbaceous Plants~, ~Ferns~, ~Tomatoes~,
~Bulbous Plants~, ~Peaches and Nectarines~, ~Vines~, ~Stove and
Greenhouse Plants~, ~&c.~

[Illustration: PLATE I (_Frontispiece_)

CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE SANDERAE]

Orchids

By James O'Brien

With Eight Coloured Plates

[Illustration]

London: T.C. & E.C. Jack

67 Long Acre, w.c., & Edinburgh

PREFACE

In the early days of Orchid cultivation the idea was commonly
entertained that these interesting plants could never become popular
with the general public, for the reason that their culture involves a
great initial outlay and permanent expense. That such an idea is
incompatible with the facts is now admitted by all those who are most
familiar with the subject. There is no department of "Present-Day"
gardening that exhibits such wonderful progress as is shown in the
Orchid gardens and nurseries that are to be found in every portion of
these Isles.

At the same time, the popularisation of Orchid culture is only now in
its very commencement. Amateurs are but just beginning to realise that
Orchids, like other plants, are capable of being understood by any one
who really desires to understand them; and, when once understood, the
cool species, at any rate, are not less tractable than common greenhouse
plants. So much is this the case that the author of the present volume
declares that even the house-holders in suburban districts who have but
one conservatory may, if they choose, keep that structure furnished with
Orchids at a less expenditure of time and money than is necessary for
the Palms, Ferns, and other species usually employed for the purpose.

Orchid-growing in the past has be