The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17
ORCHID HUNTING IN THE ANDES.
John Z. Lager Tells or the Difficulties OF His
business in south America.

John 4. Lager of Summit, y. j., who in Feb
ruary last collected $4,000 orchid plants in vari-
Gus parts of South America and succeeded in
transplanting them to New Jersey soil, told the
members of the New York Gardeners Society
at O meeting in Mott Hall on Madison avenue
the other day that coffee cultivation was
gradually decreasing the production of the rich
variety of orchids found in tho Andes. The
plants have also suffered from the industry Of
the orchid hunters, who have torn them up in
quantities and shipped them to other countries.
The coffee Plantations are constantly increas-
ing in regions where the orchids were wont to
flourish. Great zones of forests have been cut
down to make way for these plantations. the
Cattleya region being the one to suffer most,
because its temperature is suited to coffee cul-
ture. Mr.. LaSer said that in reyisitine last
vious years he had made successful orchid
hunts he found the forests gone and planta-
lions in their stead, and he was compelled to
press onward TO less civilized regions. In u
remote section of the Andes ne was rewarded
t'lyas that We're both new and rare. This re.
gion, lie declared, was without doubt the rich
est yet found in the variety, and usefulness Of
he discovered In Colombia and in Ecuador and
Peru, and varieties of the CattleRa Superba
were obtained in Venezuela and Brazil, more
especially in the immense territories between
the Orinoco, Amazon, and Rio Negro systems.
American countries, Mr.. Lager said. was besct
with great difficulties III the matter of trans.
portatlOn over tlillS winch hau Decn travelled
by the Indians centuries ago, before tho Span
iards appeared. No improvements have been
made in these trails. The rough journey was
not without its compensation in the unfold
ing panorama Of glorious scenery and in the
purity Of the air and tho delicious aroma of
The luxuriant vegetation. The gathering of the
orchids is not easy, Only a few Of he plants
grow on a tree, and u great number of trees
bear no plants at all. The material for the cases
in which the plants arc packed is difficult of
transportation. too. Frequently the plants
! have TO be packed in bags and trapped to the
backs OF mules. and the plants are found to be
crushed to pieces when they reach the camp.
Last February Mr.. Lager narrowly escaped los
ing 100 ,ases of orchins piled in tents on a
river bank, being unable to move them for
three weeks on account of the low water.
Mr. Lager said thar the study of the orchids
in their native country had brought about n
great change i'll the knowledge OF the proper
way of raising them, and the mystery that I'M
I'll very recently cnshrouded their cultivation
had given way TO common-sense methods. Air
!; now admitted to them in greater quantity,
the hose has replaced the wafer can, and they
ur. pottcd in simpler form. Orchid culturists
are now making, with success, efforts to repro.
duce exactly The conditions that favor tho
growth OF tho plants in their native country.
knowledge of the beautiful plants has spread
among amateurs, who find recreation and profit
in studying the wonderful varieties and con.
trasting their beauties.