OECHID AMATEURS OF THE PAST. 137 



the last-named genus was scarcely known to horticulturists at that 

 time; we find, however, Stanhopeas, Coryanthes and Cycnoches well 

 represented, an evidence of these interesting genera being appx-eciated 

 by the amateurs of orchids of that period. Among other collections 

 formed at this period, and which afterwards acquired a high reputation 

 for their extent and the success with which they were cultivated, 

 should be mentioned that of Mr. Robert Hanbury at Stamford Hill, 

 subsequently removed to The Poles, near Ware ; and that of Mr. 

 .T. D. Llewelyn at Penllergare, Swansea, the latter still maintained in 

 a high state of efficiency by his son, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart. 



Mr. Rucker's collection of orchids at West Hill, Wandsworth, 

 has been mentioned above as having been maintained in efficiency 

 for the long series of upwards of forty years, a somewhat rare 

 fact in the early history of orchid culture. During that long 

 period the successive improvements introduced were adopted till 

 the modern methods of cultural treatment became fully applied. 

 This collection thence historically connects the present state of 

 orchid culture with that of the past. While the West Hill collec- 

 tion was still in its infancy another was being formed by one of 

 the worthiest of the '' Orchid Worthies," and which was maintained 

 for as long a period and in like manner passed through the various 

 phases of orchid culture described in the preceding pages. The 

 collection we allude to was that of the late Mr. John Day at 

 Tottenham, and with a short notice of this and the owner we may 

 appropriately conclude our retrospect. 



In Mr. John Day orchidology had one of its most ardent votaries, 

 for although he had among his earlier contemporaries Mrs. Wray of 

 Cheltenham, Mrs. Lawrence of Ealing, and Mr. Rucker of Wandsworth 

 and other familiar names, he soon acquired a distinguished position 

 among the amateurs of that period, all of whom he long survived 

 and at length remained well nigh the sole connecting link between 

 the older pioneers in orchid culture and the amateur growers of 

 the present time. Mr. Day first acquired a love of orchids from 

 occasional visits to the nurseries of Messrs. Loddiges at Hackney, 

 from whom he purchased the first batch of plants that formed the 

 nucleus of his collection at Tottenham. From that time he followed 

 up his favourite pursuit with all the ardour of an enthusiast, 

 constantly acquiring novelties till his collection became one of the 



