198 THE GARDENER. [May 



Orchids generally are cheaper than formerly was the case ; but at 

 Mr Day's sale the other day, the unique broad-petalled variety of 

 Stone's Cypripedium fetched 140 guineas, or £42 in excess of any 

 price ever before paid for a single Orchid of any kind ! Sir Trevor 

 Lawrence was the purchaser. I only remember three instances in 

 which the price paid for a single specimen reached i-'lOO before this 

 case. Firstly, the late Duke of Devonshire gave it for one of the two 

 first plants of PhaLnsnopsis brought by Mr Cuming from the Philippines. 

 Then Lord Londesborough gave £100 for an immense plant of Den- 

 drobium Wardianum imported by Messrs Low and sold by auction by 

 Mr Stevens.* Then that splendid plant of Vanda cjwrulea grown by 

 Mr Lowe at Henley-on-Thames was sold by auction for £80, and 

 eventually changed hands at the lowest value of any three figures. 

 After all, these fancy prices are not altogether satisfactory ; and I have 

 no doubt that those who pay moderate prices for some of the more 

 common but not less beautiful kinds, derive more satisfaction in return 

 for their money. Every one to his taste, however. 



It is no matter of doubt as to whether the Land Question will afi'ect 

 horticulture. It has affected it in some localities very sensibly ; and 

 not only in Ireland, but throughout England and Scotland, the depres- 

 sing influence must be felt. Bad seasons, foreign competition, and 

 other causes less evident, have lowered the value of land everywhere. 

 At present Ireland, where everybody depends on the land for a liveli- 

 hood, feels the pressure most heavily ; but the influence must become 

 general. It costs more to send produce from Lancashire to London 

 than from New York to Liverpool, — in fact, in every way our own 

 growers are heavily handicapped. Pient-rates, taxes, high freightage or 

 carriage, and an inferior climate, all co-operate against them. Where 

 all this will end it is difficult to see. At any rate, it seems probable 

 that " free trade " will prove a very expensive article of faith even in 

 our own time. F. W. Burbidge. 



GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 



NO. IV. — CHOROZEMAS. 



Chorozemas are very beautiful, free - flowering, evergreen shrubs, 

 natives of Australia. They are easily cultivated, and produce very 

 freely their bright-coloured, pea-flower-shaped blossoms during the 

 spring and summer months. As plants for decorating the conserva- 

 tory or greenhouse during the time indicated, Chorozemas are of much 

 value, and when large enough, and in good condition, they are amongst 

 the best of exhibition plants. Apart from the beauty of their flowers, 

 they have several qualities to recommend them for the latter purpose, 

 amongst which may be mentioned their quick-growing habit, in con- 

 * The late A. B. Stewart, Esq., gave £100 for a plant of Yaiula Lowii. — Eu. 



