540 



THE GARDENER. 



[Dec. 



well known to a great many Orchid-growers. As we have referred specially to 

 this family of plants as possessing a singular charm for amateurs who do nearly 

 all the work connected with their culture, we will first briefly refer to Dr 

 Paterson's Fernfield, Bridge of Allan, as an example of what can be accom- 

 plished with the most commonplace — in fact, what many would consider in- 

 ferior — appliances. The houses at Fernfield consist of three very small com- 

 partments, without any divisional doors. The plants embrace the finest 

 varieties in cultivation of some of the genera, all in so robust and healthy 

 a condition as is rarely met with— indeed we never saw a lot of Orchids so 

 exceptionally healthy. To give some idea of the coolness of temperature 

 and airy condition under which these Orchids are grown, it will be sufficient 

 to state that, when we approached the garden at Fernfield, on the 13th No- 

 vember, the first thing we noticed was the door of the cool- Orchid apartment 

 standing wide open, and spikes of Odontoglossum, Masdevallias, Oncidiums, 

 Lycastes, &c, waving about with the current of cool air. In the next divi- 

 sion were such as Cattleya labiata, Lselias, Miltonia Morreliana, Vandas, &c, 

 in bloom, also subject to the free circulation of cool air — for there is no door on 

 the opening between this house and the cool division. In the third apartment 

 there were Aerides and Saccolabiums, in the most perfect health, and a grand 

 spike of Vanda crerulea, bearing fifteen very large and finely- coloured blooms. 

 We had been aware, previous to our visit, that the Doctor always had his 

 doors open all day in summer, except in cases of high winds, but were com- 

 pletely taken aback to see the door of the cool house stand open for five or 

 six hours on a clear bracing November day. The treatment of these Orchids 

 is exceptionally cool ; and the Doctor attributes his great success chiefly to 

 a free circulation of air and moisture in proportion. 

 At the time of our visit the following were in full bloom : — 



Ansellia africana. 



Anthurium alba. 



Cattleya labiata (grand variety). 



Cypripedium Sedenii. 



,, insigne. 



Dendrobium chrysanthum. 



,, speciosum. 



Epidendrum vitellinum majus. 



,, falcatum. 



Gongora atropurpurea. 

 Laslia anceps Barkeriana. 



,, Perrinii. 

 Lycaste Skinnerii (immense blooms). 



,, lanipes. 

 Masdevallia i^nea. 



,, Veitchii. 



,, Harryana casrulescence. 



„ Lindenii. 



Me«ospinidium vulcanicum. 

 Miltonia Morreliana purpurea. 



Odontoglossum pescatorei. 

 ,, Alexandras. 



,, Bictonense. 



,, uro-Skinnerii. 



Oncidium ornithorliynchum. 

 ,, vai'icosum. 

 ,, crispum. 

 ,, serratum. 

 Pleione maculata. 

 ,, Wallichiana. 

 ,, lagenaria. 

 Sophronitis grandiflora. 

 ,, cernua. 



,, fine lake-coloured imported 



variety. 

 Vanda cserulea (splendid variety). 

 ,, suavis. 



,, tricolor Patersonii (grand vari- 

 ety). 



On the same occasion we visited Mr Smith's, of Bretby Park, Stirling, where 

 the nucleus of a fine collection has already been got together ; and plant-houses, 

 now occupied with mixed collections of plants, besides a new house in course 

 of erection, are to be devoted exclusively to Orchids. Here we saw the lovely 

 Lycaste Skinnerii alba, in bloom, and various others. At John Gair's, Esq., 

 the Kilns, Falkirk, a large collection of Orchids is being formed, and several 

 houses are devoted to their culture ; and the plants are in a thoroughly prom- 

 ising condition. It is only a year or two since Mr Gair took to Orchid cul- 



