The evening times., 1900-01-10
CULTIVATION oF ORCHIDS.
4 Number of V=rieties Come From
the Philippines.

the Philippines.
NEW YORK. Jan. 10.-The famous or
child collection belonging to Major Mason,
OF Warwick England. was sold recently
at auction and brought only Sl5,G0o The
price paid for two specimens Of the "Cyp-
ripedium Lawrence was S7S5. Perhaps the
highest price ever paid for an orchid was
by the late Frederick L. Ames, OF Bsston,
who gave @2O. 900 for a single specimen Of
the Laelia anceps HIS collection was one
OF the first made in America. and had cost
over 81 600 600 up 10 the time Of his death.
some years ago.
Twenty years ago orchids were regard
ed as rare and expensive flowers, but now
they are being cultivated In such quantities
that the use of these blossoms among uoral
decorations is an everyday occurrence
Fifth Avenue florist was the first 10 intro
duce orchids In a commercial way 10 the
florist trade OF America. and ia 1873 sug
gested their more general cultivation. With
a view to rendering them popular and pleu-
tiful
At a gathering Of florists during con-
yentiOu OF the Society OF American Flor
lists held in Philadelphia some ifteen years
ago. the advocate Of the orchid presented
his claims with great enthusiasm. and ven
tured the prediction that orchid howers
would i'm time become the flowers for the
millions THAT ais prediction IN great
measure has ken realized the horists WIN
dows Of today attest. although the prices
these flowers command are stil sufficiently
high TO limit their use 90 the Well-to-dO
class. The Cattleya variety Of orchids also
known as the Fleur de Mayo. brings from
20 20 20 cents a bloom Fine CatJleyas
must sell for 50 cents a flower in order 70
be4 profitable 10 the grower.
A popular fad nowadays IS 10 give 'or-
child dinners" at which all the floral deco
rations are wrought out in orchids. The
green orchid and the delicate white green
and royaI shading are much sought after
this season for this form Of decoration.
These are known as slipper orchids and
are valued for their bookkeeping quality
The green orchid is a terrestrial orchid.
and takes its susteuance from sandy soil,
lust as the celestial which Is a parasite
draws its life from air. \ great deal OF
moisture is required TO cultivate the or
chid. consequently il is almost impossible
TO raise il outside OF greenhouses. II great
care is given to these flowers they will
last for forty or nifty years.
Laelias. dainty and beautiful. IL. shades
Of rose pink 10 royal purple. may be OBJ
tained at prices varying from 20 TO .
cents a flower.
lar and many varieties Of this class come
from the Philippine Islands The late war
with Spain has had the effect OF reducing
considerably the price Of these blossoms.
From the Philippine Islands. Luzon and
Panay are shipped large quantities Of the
variety abOunding in those localities.
Until recently it was not considered pos
sible that orchids could be cultivated In
America but as the result OF many expert
ments the florists have succeeded in rails
ing these flowers under glass. and millions
of orchids are being produced In this
country: in fact. America is becoming the
greatest orchid market in the world
A short time ago the Fleur de Mayo
species were SO plentiful that the prices
fell from 70 to - cents bloom Orchids
are also becoming popular for personal
adornment. and small punches of them.
tied with a ribbon to match the blossoms.
are now worn BY many women. instead
OF the bunch of violets formerly so pOpu-
lar. A single orchid fastened in the hair
is a fashion adopted by some to complete
an evening costume.
These blossoms are also chosen for we'd
ding decorations. Pridal bouquets made
from blossoms OF the palest shades are
very effective and promise to take the
place Of the lilies Of the valley that have
heretofore been popular as a completion
OF the bridal dress.
Although fragile in appearance. orchids
are hardy and by clipping the stems night
and morning they can be kept in good con-
dition for several weeks.
Among the orchid enthusiasts in Amerf-
ca are H. Mex. Twombly, who has val
liable and extensive collection: Mr.. Kim
bic, of Rochester, and Hicks Arnold. Of
New York