III. WATERING EPIPHYTAL ORCHIDS, 35

IX. MANURES FOR ORCHIDS, 39

X. RESTING ORCHIDS, 44

XI. SPECIALLY RARE AND VALUABLE PLANTS, 46

XII. DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS, 47

XIII. PERIODICAL INSPECTION, 50

XIV. ORCHIDS FOR THE CONSERVATORY, 52

XV. ORCHIDS AS CUT FLOWERS, 55

XVI. IMPORTING ORCHIDS, 59

XVII. TREATMENT OF IMPORTED ORCHIDS, 63

XVIII. ODOURS OF ORCHIDS, 65

XIX. HYBRIDISING AND RAISING SEEDLING ORCHIDS, 67

XX. ENUMERATION OF THE PRINCIPAL GENERA AND
SPECIES IN CULTIVATION, 81

XXI. ORCHID HYBRIDS, 109

INDEX, 111

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PLATE

I. CYPRIPEDIUM INSIGNE SANDERAE, _Frontispiece_

PAGE

II. MILTONIA VEXILLARIA, 12

III. DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM, 24

IV. CATTLEYA TRIANAE VAR. HYDRA, 40

V. BRASSO-CATTLEYA DIGBYANO-MOSSIAE, 56

VI. CYMBIDIUM LOWIO-EBURNEUM, 72

VII. ONCIDIUM MARSHALLIANUM, 88

VIII. ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM, 102

ORCHIDS

INTRODUCTION

It is not necessary here to trace the history of Orchid cultivation
since its commencement a century and a half or so ago. The earlier
introductions were few and infrequent, but they probably attracted as
much attention as the subjects in our gardens obtain to-day. It may be
said of Orchids that no class of plants has so well and consistently
sustained the interest of cultivators, which is partly because few, if
any, plants have flowers that exhibit such diversity of form, size, and
colouring. But another reason for their popularity may be found in the
fact that few plants are so easy to cultivate, if placed in the care of
a careful and earnest cultivator who applies the best methods which his
own experience indicates and is willing to avail himself of the help
which the experience of others has placed within his reach.

Upwards of fifty years' continuous experience with Orchids have
necessarily presented to us much evidence a