We paid a visit to tlie Downside collection of Orchids in June of the present 

 year, and were greatly surprised to see tlie progress that had been made as regards 

 tliQ erection of new houses for each section of Orchids, and the pains and trouble 

 which had been taken to make each house complete as regards ventilation, stages, 

 and tanks for the reception of rain-water ; even the paths are made to do their 

 part towards the growth of the plants, as well as to provide for the comfort of 

 those who have to do the work, as well as of the visitors, who may w^alk on them 

 without wetting their feet, a paving brick "with a scored sutface being used, so 

 that the water thrown down remains in the depressions of the surface, and gives 



off by evaporation a continuous supply of moisture to the atmosphere, which is 

 what the plants require in the summer season w^hen in full growth. 



Tliere was one long house filled with Masdevallias in grand beauty^a glorious 

 sight, em1)r:uung all the best species and varieties that can be procured. Close 

 was the Odontoglossum house, with the plants on the side tables one mass of 

 Moom; and besides these, there was a fine lot of Odontoglots, including some good 

 forms, blooming in full beauty, in another house. Here also was the finest Cattleya 

 1iou.se we have yet seen, there being many hundreds of flowers, consisting of 

 Cattlcijii iUo,s4(£, of which there were some of the grandest varieties we have met 

 with : also some fine examples of 0. Warmrii, rich in colour, intermixed with 



^ 



C. MaMli iu variety, C. g{cja,% with its bold richly-coloured flowers, and man} 

 fine spccimony of Ldia piirpurata in full beauty. In the same house was a fine 

 lot of specimen Vandas, placed on the centre table, they were in fine health, and 

 with their graceful foliage towering above them, and their distinctly- coloured flowers, 

 altogether formed a pleasing contrast to the Cattleyas. 



^ Tlu' India house was gay with species of Aerides and Saccolabiinn, among 

 which were some very rare ones, too numerous to mention. There was also a fine 

 Immis,. dcvoto.l to Phalwnopsls, as well as one for Dendrobes, many of which were 

 in bloom. Xuxt to these was a structure devoted to a good collection of Lycaste 

 Shnnen, and othrr kinds " that require the same treatment. Much credit is due to 

 Mr. Lee's gardener, Mr. Woolford, for the great interest he takes in maintaining 

 the health of the plants under his care 



^ Mit. Pl-n.'iVALs Cattleyas.-Wc have received from R. P. Percival, Esq., of 

 N>utl^>urt, n box containing a fine series of Cattlei/a Mossice. C. Mendela. kc. 

 All. Percival informs us that he has now (June) as many as three hundred and 



-■.■ y-Mx hlo^ms „f c. MossUe open ; and taking the flowers sent us as a samj , 

 nin are ot r, very fine stvain, and must present a gorgeous coup d'ml in tlie Orchid 

 imus.^ .\n._a,>pnny„,g tl,e Cattleyas was a grand spike of Odontoglossum vexiUarium 

 sp'n.J.,.. .v.tl. very large flowers fine in f,,„„ and deep in colour.-B. S. W. 



