The evening times., 1900-01-10
CULTIVATION OF ORCHIDS.
4 Number of Varieties Come From
the Philippines.

| NEW YORK Jan. 10.-The famous or
child collection belonging to Major Mason,
of Warwick England. was sold recently
/ az auction and brought only Sl5, 500. The
/ price paid for two specimens Of the "Cyp-
| ripedium Lawrence" was $735. Perhaps the
| highest price ever paid for an orchid was
/ by the late Frederick L. Ames, of Boston,
! who gave 500. 900 for a single specimen OF
| the Laelia anceps. His collection was one
OF the first made in America, and had cost
! over 81 600 900 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 floral
decorations is an everyday occurrence.
Fifth Avenue florist was the first TO intro
duce orchids in a commercial way 10 the
florist trade of America, and In 1873 sug-
gested their more general cultivation. win
a view TO rendering them popular and pien-
tiful.
At a gathering of florists during a con-
vention OF the Society of American Flor
lists held in Philadelphia some fifteen years
ago the advocate of the orchid presented
his claims with great enthusiasm. and ven
rured the prediction that orchif movers
would in time become the flowers for the
millions. That his prediction in great
measure has been realized the horist5 Wln-
dows of today attest. although the prices
these flowers command are still sufficiently
high TO limit their use TO the welI-tO-do
class. The Cattleya variety of orchids. also
known as the FleuF de Mayo, brings from
30 TO 30 cents a bloom. Fine Cattleyas
must sell for 80 cents a flower in order TO
be profitable to the grower.
A popular fad nowadays is to give or
child dinners" at which all the forai deco
rations are wrought out in orchids. Inc
green orchid and the delicate white green
and royal shading are much sought AFTER
this season for this form OF decoration.
These are known as slipper orchids. ana
sre valued for their long-keeping quality
The green orchid is terrestrial orchid,
and takes its sustenance from sandy SOIL,
lust as the celestial, which Is a parasite,
draws its life from air. y great deal oil
moisture is required to cultivate the or
child. consequently it is almost impossible
to raise it outside of greenhouses. II great
care is given TO these flowers they VIII
last for forty or fifty years.
Laelias. dainty and beautiful. in shades
of rose pink to royal purple, may be OBJ
tained at prices varying from 90 to %
cents a flower.
l6p East ildleS oCll OltutuS arc popu-
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. Bridal 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 Ameri-
ca are H. Mex Twombly, who has val
liable and extensive collection; Mr. Kim
bic, of Rochester, and Hicks Arnold, of
New York.