our readers, we may be the means of exciting more interest in them, and securing — 
for them more attention. We are indebted for the materials which served for the — 
preparation of our drawing to F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C., Bickley, Kent, in whose 
fine collection Barkerias are well cultivated. Mr. Philbrick himself takes great _ 
interest in them, and the gardener, Mr. Heims, pays them such attention that they 
always flower well under his care. 
We cannot perhaps do better than here refer .our enquiring readers to Mr. | 
Philbrick’s remarks given under Plate 148 of our fourth volume, where he speaks 
of the cultivation of these plants; and if his teaching be followed, others, no doubt 
will be as successful as he has been. The present subject requires the same treatment 
as that which is there explained. Barkeria elegans is a deciduous plant, losing its 
leaves after it has finished its growth and completed its flowering. The plant forms 
upright slender stems, with light green foliage; the flower scapes proceed from the 
top of the stem. The sepals and petals are of a delicate blush-lilac, and the lip 
is white, with a large deep magenta blotch on the fore part. 
It blooms during 
February and March, and lasts for some time in beauty. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXILLARIUM, at Pickering Lodge, Timperley, the residence of G. 
Hardy, Esq.—It gives us pleasure to be able, from time to time, to report on any 
plants out of the ordinary way that we may chance to fall in with. We may 
say of Mr. Hardy’s plants of Odontoglossum veaillarium that we never saw any in 
a more vigorous state of growth—they are perfection itself. The pseudobulbs and 
foliage are broad and of firm texture, with a most beautiful colour on some of 
them. There are eighty plants, which will shortly be in bloom, and these are pro- 
ducing 1,037 flower scapes; when these are fully open they will produce a gorgeous 
spectacle worth going from London to witness. They are grown on a stage, one 
shelf above the other, at the end and on one side of a large span-roofed house, 
so that their beauties will be fully displayed, and the. different shades of colour 
shown to advantage, for of course among such a quantity there will be great 7 
variety. Mr. Hardy told us that there are amongst them many finely coloured forms, a 
as well as the large white-lipped sort, which will contrast well with the darker — 
The effect of so many hundreds of blossoms out at one time, the foliage 4 
We noticed that they 
were all growing in small pots, and all formed natural specimen plants, not jammed — 
together to form what is sometimes called a “specimen”; but they are just as they | 
have been grown, so_ that every one who sees them can | Judge of the skill which © 
colours. 
also being remarkably fine, will be grand in the extreme. 
has led to such magnificent results.—B. S. W. 
Wigan tar ee ero aoe ae. 
