32 
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m ral | 
reason probably is that we have a plethora of showier things, and as only a 
limited number cam be grown, the Maxillarias do not always find a place. The 
present one, however, deserves a place wherever Maxillarias are grown. 
R. A. Rotre. 
ORCHID CULTURE IN BELGIUM AND IN ENGLAND. 
(Extract from the Gardeners’ Chronicle, November 25) 
The letter which Mr. Watson, the well-known assistant-curator at the Royal 
Gardens, Kew, contributed to a recent number of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, seems 
to convey the idea that in commenting upon certain methods of Orchid culture 
pursued in England, and which seem to me less well understood in that country 
than in Belgium, I have not rated the English gardeners at their right value. It 
was before the publication of Mr. Warson’s letter, which appeared in your issue 
of the 11th of this month, that I published in my Yournal des Orchidées on 
November 1, the following commendation of his compatriots and his country : 
— “ There are in England a great number of excellent gardeners. A visit to any 
horticultural exhibition shows that, for there may be seen unrivalled specimens 
of all classes of plants. Personally, I admire England with its scientific insti- 
tutions, which are the first in the world, both as regards the progress in science 
and their excellent organisation; for instance, the gardens at Kew and their 
cultural achievements, their eminent botanists and wonderful herbarium. I admire 
the English horticultural press, so generally useful, so progressive; also the 
unrivalled private collections and fine horticultural establishments of this great 
and noble country. ” I should not like any one to attribute to me in England, 
where I have many friends, or elsewhere, any opinion which I do not really 
hold, and Iam no * Chauyiniste. ” 
I must further remark that I am only alluding to Orchids in the article 
to which Mr. Watson alludes, the English are so superior in other branches of 
horticulture that they may well yield to us in this. Mr. Watson makes a very true 
remark concerning the special modes of cultivation peculiar to the respective 
countries. But then he writes : — “ Certainly the Orchids generally in 
M. Linven’s establishment are splendidly grown. I have never seen such fine 
collections of Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, Vandas, and Cattleyas anywhere. ” 
If he believes that these results are due to the fact that our ground is situated 
Ineanigain the Luxembourg station and the Pare Léopold, I think he is making a 
Wale Gitsteles, I know him to be too skillful and experienced not to have noticed 
that if our cultivation of Orchids is so good it is because we endeavour to give 
(To be followed on p. 33.) 
ro) 
SO 
