HOW THE COLLECTION WAS FORMED 



5 



But he was not the man to choose a hobby without 

 grave deliberation and experiment. The very next essay, 

 only three days afterwards, suggested a doubt. He saw a 

 plant of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum in flower, and carried it 

 home in a whirl of astonishment and delight ; but next morn- 

 ing every bloom had faded, and the gardener assured him 

 that no more could be expected for twelve months. This 

 was a damper. Evidently a prudent person should think 

 twice before accumulating plants which flower but once a 

 year, and then last only four days. But just at that time, 

 by good fortune, he made acquaintance with Mr. Godseff 

 who, in short, explained things — not too hastily, but in a 

 long course of instruction. And so, making sure of every 

 step as he advanced, Mr. Measures gradually formed the 

 Woodlands collection. 



Perhaps it would be logical to describe the arrangement 

 of our treasures. But an account which might be useful 

 would demand much space, and it could interest very few 

 readers. It may suffice, therefore, to note that there are 

 thirty-one ' houses,' distributed in nine groups, or detached 

 buildings. All through, the health and happiness of the 

 plants are consulted in the first place, the convenience of 

 visitors in the second, and show not at all ; which is to say 

 that the roofs are low, and the paths allow two persons to 

 walk abreast in comfort but no more. 



The charge of these thirty-one houses is committed to 

 Mr. J. Coles, with thirteen subordinates regularly employed. 

 Mr. Coles was bred if not born among orchids, when his 

 father had charge of the late Mr. Smee's admirable garden, 

 at Wallington. After rising to the post of Foreman there, 

 he entered the service of Captain Terry, Peterborough 

 House, Fulham, as Foreman of the orchid houses ; but two 

 years afterwards this fine collection was dispersed, at Captain 



