138 . MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



kinds not to be found in Europe, especially of Phalsenopsis. Of 

 the latter there are such rare kinds as P. Corningiana, P. 

 Bi'i/merianum, P. advena, P. marmorata, P. Valentini, P. fas- 

 ciata, P. 2ieiche7tbachiana, P. media, P. Veitchii, P. hrachyodon, 

 P. leuchorrhoda alba, etc. Among other noted plants are Aerides 

 Lobbii rubrum, A. WilUamsii, Cattleya Marstersonioi, C. super- 

 bissima, C Osmanii, C. triopthalma, Cypripedium Schroederoe, C. 

 Arthurianum, C. candidibulum, Dendrobiuvi Corningii, D. Ward- 

 ianum ochroleucum, Lodia Veitchii, L. callistogloHsa, L. Schroederii, 

 Odontoglossum elegans, 0. Wilckeanum jlava, 0. Shuttleworthii, etc. 



The method of growing orchids in this collection has been 

 greatly simplified in recent 3'ears. There is no dipping of plants 

 when dr}', and it would make one of the ancient orchidists shudder 

 to see the free use made of the hose for all the plants, especially 

 in the hot season, when they are growing. Air is more freel}' 

 admitted than ever before, and shading is much less used for all 

 the hard leaved plants, like Cattleyas, Laelias, etc. 



Some ten years ago or more Frederick L. Ames started a 

 collection at Noi'th Eastou, Mass. Plants from the Rand collection 

 were purchased soon after, and from that period until now nearly 

 ever}- new variety or species in cultivation has been added from 

 time to time. The Kimball collection, at Rochester, contains a 

 larger number of plants, but that of Mr. Ames is in point of rare 

 varieties the second best collection in America. It is particularl}' 

 noticeable for the Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, and other cool 

 orchids, while the Cattleyas and Cypripediums are in great force, 

 the latter embracing about every species, variet}', and hybrid 

 known. A few years ago a house facing north was built for the 

 cool orchids, and the general judgment is that it contains the 

 best grown lot in the country ; the plants number about 1,200, and 

 when they are in bloom offer a spectacle of exceptional beauty. 

 There is a large span-roofed house in two compartments ; one de- 

 voted to Cattleyas and intermediate classes, and the other to the 

 warmer orchids. A large stove or warm house, originally built 

 for palms and ferns, contains many orchids, and there are two or 

 three other houses in which they are arranged. Another house has 

 just been l)uilt, for the accommodation of the large additions which 

 have been made during the past year. 



The total number of plants is between 3,000 and 4,000. 1 am 

 unable to give tlii' exact number or a list of species or varieties. 



