STORY OF DENDROBIUM SCHRODERIANUM 



Many who care nothing for our pleasant science recall the 

 chatter and bustle which greeted the reappearance of 

 Dendrobium Schroderianum in 1891. For they spread far 

 beyond the ' horticultural circles.' Every newspaper in the 

 realm gave some sort of a report, and a multitude of my 

 confreres were summoned to spin out a column, from such 

 stores of ingenuity as they could find, upon a plant which 

 grew on human skulls and travelled under charge of tutelary 

 idols. The scene at ' Protheroe's ' was a renewal of the good 

 old time when every season brought its noble plant, and 

 every plant brought out its noble price — in short, a sensation. 



The variety of Dendrobium phalaenopsis hereafter to bear 

 Baron Schroder's name was sent to Kew by Forbes about 

 1857. This single plant remained a special trophy of the 

 Royal Gardens for many years. It throve and multiplied. 

 In course of time Sir Joseph Hooker was able to give a small 

 piece, in exchange for other varieties, to Mr. Day, of Totten- 

 ham, to Baron Schroder, and to Messrs. Veitch. The latter 

 sold their specimen to Baron Schroder ; Mr. Day's collection 

 was dispersed, and the same greatest of amateurs bought his 

 fragment. Thus all three plants known to exist in private 

 hands came into Baron Schroder's possession, and the variety 

 took his name. 



This state of things lasted ten years. Mr. Sander then 

 resolved to wait no longer upon chance. He studied the 



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