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To any one in search of "a hobby," I would recommend the study of orchids. There is no necessity to pore over big books, or swallow hard names, but grow and study the plants themselves. There is only one book known to me in which the growth of British orchids is treated; that is "Appleby's Orchid Manual," which is more general than particular. A good treatise on the subject, by David Cameron, appeared in the first part of the third volume of the "Journal of the Horticultural Society." This includes nearly all the indigenous species. But before one can indulge much in the theory of growing the plants, they must be found or purchased. The former plan is the best, and, except for those who live in cities provided with a Covent Garden, or similar market, the only method which can be adopted. I have generally found that not more than one in every six of the orchids bought in the market will grow, as their roots are nearly always broken or injured in the digging. One or two of the large nurserymen will supply them; but the best way is to go and dig them for yourself. The greatest care must be taken in removing the plants from their native spots not to touch the roots. Let the tool—be it spade or trowel—be inserted six inches from the stem of the plant, and dig it out, with its soil adhering to it, and in this state convey it home, and pot or plant it in the open ground. The best time, I think, for collecting orchids for cultivation is after they have done flowering, at the close of the summer, because the tubers for the next year are then fully formed, and have not begun to make roots.

Whichever mode is adopted in their cultivation, whether in pots or in the open ground, good drainage is essential. This may be accomplished by a sub-soil of broken lime rubbish. When watering them, as far as possible, the water should be prevented settling in the sheaths of the leaves, as the latter are apt to rot off. This remark is applicable to those grown in pots and under cover, since, when exposed to the wind and air, superfluous water is soon dispersed. What is essential to their well-being is plenty of light and air, and the purer the latter the better.

In potting orchids, the soil employed should be nearly as possible like that in which they were found; hence the advantage of bringing away plenty of mould with the plants when collected. I have employed in other cases a mixture of friable loam, with peat and sand. In winter, if the plants are in pots, they should be stood at the base of a wall with a southern or western aspect, and not watered. It is advisable to cover the surface of the mould with ashes, and strew ashes also on the ground about the pots, to preserve the plants from the attacks of slugs, which are exceedingly partial to the roots and young leaves. It is a good plan to look the plants over once a week, and exterminate all such visitors. If the orchids are planted in the open ground, each spot should be covered with ashes.

Most of the species I am about to enumerate are those which I have cultivated in the manner already described.

Early Purple Orchis (Orchis mascula, L.) has a spike of pretty purplish flowers, and spotted leaves, but rather disagreeable odour. The stem is nearly a foot in height. This species requires a heavy soil and plenty of room.

Green-winged Meadow Orchis (Orchis Morio, L.) is very similar in external appearance to the last, but the leaves are not spotted. Of course, there are botanical differences, but with them we have, on the present occasion, very little to do. The remark about soil and room also applies to this.

Brown Orchis (Orchis fusca, Jacq.).—A tall and handsome species, with a rather dense spike of dark purple variegated flowers. Grows on the chalky hills of Kent. Requires a light soil.

Spotted Orchis (Orchis maculata, L.).—Very pretty and common species in damp pastures, heaths, and woods. It is very easy of cultivation and is sure to succeed with any one.

Lizard Orchis (Orchis hircina, Scop.).—This is a very rare, but snowy species, with a long dense spike of large greenish-white flowers. It has been found on the chalk hills of Kent and Surrey, but is nowhere common, though widely diffused through central and southern Europe.

Marsh Orchis (Orchis latifolia, L.) is a species subject to considerable variation, is more luxuriant than the "spotted orchis," which it much resembles, has purplish-crimson flowers, the leaves sometimes spotted, and affects a moister locality and a richer soil. It should be grown with plenty of peat and be well supplied with water.

Pyramidal Orchis (Orchis pyramidalis, L.).—Very handsome, with rosy-purple flowers in a dense spike. Found in chalky pastures.

Fragrant Orchis (Gymnadenia conopsea, Br.).—Has pretty rose-coloured flowers, and is possessed of an agreeable odour. Rather widely dispersed over Britain, in hilly pastures.

Man Orchis (Aceras anthropophora, Br.).—A rare and curious species, confined to the Eastern counties of England. Flowers of a dull yellowish-green.

Great Butterfly Orchis (Habenaria clorantha, Bab.).—This is a handsome species, with white flowers, and is found in moist woods and thickets.

Bee Orchis (Ophrys apifera, Huds.).—So called from the fancied resemblance of its flowers to a "bee." Found on chalky soil in the South and East