240 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [AuGuUST, 1922. 
THE BANKHOLME COLLECTION, PURLEY, SURREY. 
I we look through the history of most of the collections that in their day 
have been famous, it will be found that many have originated from a 
few plants of comparatively small value, but nevertheless possessed of 
attractive characters that are absent in other occupants of an amateur’s 
greenhouse. The more Orchids are examined so much the more does one 
fall in love with them, and small beginnings frequently lead to important 
collections being made. A collection that has made much advance during 
recent years is that being formed by F. J. Hanchet, Esq., of Bankholme, 
Woodcote Valley Road, Purley. In 1905 the occupants of the greenhouse 
included but one Orchid, and that a plant of Cypripedium insigne. But 
the charms of this good old species subsequently lead to other interesting 
Orchids being acquired, and in 1919 an additional structure in the way of 
another span-roofed house was erected for the cool growing kinds. 
On each side of the houses there is ample piping for maintaining the 
desired temperatures. The staging is of painted laths, under which are 
‘sheets of corrugated iron covered with broken coke to assist in producing 
the necessary moist atmosphere. One of the pleasing points about this 
collection is the keen practical interest taken in it by the owner, as well as 
‘by his son, Mr. H. Hanchet. It has been said that to grow Orchids 
successfully one must really love the plants, and it is with much truth that 
this applies to the present collection. The considerable care and attention 
which these two amateurs give is seen in the vigorous nature of all the 
‘plants. When, as frequently happens, Mr. Hanchet and his son are away 
from home, the necessary attention in regard to shading the houses and in 
adjusting the ventilators, as well as in damping down, is ably carried out 
by their gardener, Mr. D. Bignell. The south-west side of the roof is 
shaded by lath roller blinds, and to these tiffany is attached in the summer 
time, so that both can be rolled up together. . 
How and when to ventilate is always an important part of the cultural 
work. If the top ventilators of the cool house are opened too widely muc 
of the atmospheric moisture will escape, and if they are but little used the 
plants become too soft and sappy. Mr. Hanchet’s method in regard to the 
cool house is to keep the top ventilators closed during the day time in order 
to preserve the moist atmosphere. He finds this of even greater importance 
than keeping the temperature as low as possible by an injudicious amount 
of fresh air, which in the houses of some amateurs amounts to a continuous 
draught. As soon as the heat of the day is past the top ventilators are 
opened and allowed to remain so until the next day, the cool night air 
having a beneficial effect, especially on Odontoglossums and plants of 
similar constitution, and entirely overcoming any detrimental effect brought 
