358 THE. ORCHID. REVIEW. [ DECEMBER, 1922. 
THE ASHTEAD PARK COLLECTION. 
ZANYONE travelling through the South of England cannot fail to notice 
the beautiful estates with their fine mansions and noble trees. On the 
present occasion it is Ashstead Park, Surrey, that particularly claims our 
attention, for it is the seat of Pantia Ralli, Esq., a well-known connoisseur 
of Orchids and the owner of a most extensive collection. As the range of 
«lasshouses is situated at some little distance from the mansion, it is 
necessary to undertake the pleasurable task of traversing the surrounding 
deer park, extending to 140 acres, in order to view the plants. 
The latest addition to the range of Orchid houses is a large span-roof 
house 60 feet long and 21 feet wide. It is heated by four rows of hot-water 
pipes on each side and three rows under the central staging. The paths 
are made of cinder ash, which is an excellent moisture holding material, 
and the walls supporting the stages are of porous bricks, those of the upper 
row each having a cavity in which water remains for some time after 
damping down. Porous tiles are arranged over the hot-water pipes, and 
when damped assist in maintaining genial atmosphere, as well as 
preventing any direct heat from reaching the plants. Lath roller blinds, 
erected about nine inches above the sash-bars, are used for shading. This 
house is in every way a model one, and the whole of the 2,200 Cattleyas 
which it contains are fine examples of cultivation. The potting compost 
consists of a mixture of black A.1. fibre and Osmunda, which is surfaced 
with a layer of coarse red A.t. fibre, the whole being pressed very tightly 
into the pots, and finished off with a few lumps of sphagnum moss _ tucked 
in near the edge as a guide when applying water to the plants. 
Opposite the entrance door are several grand specimens of Leelio- 
cattleya Schreederze, the bulbs and leaves measuring about three feet in 
height, and showing much evidence of the L. purpurata contained in the 
parentage. Just beneath them are several hybrids in full flower, repre- 
senting some of the earliest crosses that were effected in this collection. 
Passing alongside the central staging many fine plants are seen of C. Maggie 
Raphael alba, C. Fabia alba and C. Harold, the latter represented by 
Fowler’s variety, white, with purple blotch on the lip. On the top row 
are several large plants of C. Portia, one of the early-day hybrids, but of 
interest because they were raised in this garden from specially selected 
parents. Among the varieties of C. Trianz are Empress of India, unfortu- 
nately a bad grower, The Premier, Goliath, Broomhill variety, still regarded 
as one of the best, Mrs. de B. Crawshay, and one called Sir Douglas Haig, 
which was imported years ago but never flowered until the period of the 
-_ There are several fine forms of C. Mendelii, including the varieties 
White Queen and Memoria J. McBean. During the autumn months some 
