June, 1914.| . THE ORCHID REVIEW. 165 
somewhat recalling Phalznopsis Schilleriana, and the flowers are borne in a 
cluster of about seven. The lateral sepals are elongated, acuminate, about 
four inches long, with involute margins, and the colour dull lurid purple, 
with whitish splashes, while the dorsal sepal is about half as long, and the 
‘broad fleshy lip dark lurid purple. It was obtained from Mr. E. V. Low, 
Vale Bridge, Haywards Heath, and is now flowering for the first time. 
t R.A.R. 
HE establishment of Messrs. Mansell & Hatcher, situated at Rawdon, 
East Yorks, about seven miles north of Leeds, is one of the 
best known in the North of England, and as it is the source of many 
fine groups which make their appearance at the Shows of the Royal 
Horticultural Society, and at York, a few notes made during a recent visit 
will doubtless be interesting. 
The position is a steep slope with a south-western aspect, well sheltered 
from the north, and there are eight ranges of houses, each 110 feet long, 
with convenient divisions, and all extending from a corridor 120 feet long, 
which descends in steps, so that each range stands well above the next, 
and receives an abundance of light. They are heated by five horizontal 
boilers situated on the lower side of the slope, and no stokeholes are 
required, so that the heating arrangements are of the most convenient 
description, while the drainage of the whole site is excellent. The piping 
in the houses is ample, that on each side being connected to a different 
boiler, so that in the event of a breakdown in one boiler the other would still 
be available, and the firing can also be economised during mild weather. 
There is top and side ventilation, the latter being by shutters opposite to 
the pipes and alternating with the top ventilators, thus minimising the 
tisk from draughts. The stages are open, with a solid stage close above 
the pipes, to break the heat and deflect the dry air from the plants, these 
Solid stages being of corrugated zinc, covered with a layer of finely broken 
bricks, which hoids a good supply of moisture and does not have such a 
destructive chemical effect on the zinc as breeze, which, however, is used 
elsewhere. Tanks are provided in each hcuse for the storage of rain water, 
and shading consists of lJath-roller blinds running horizontally. The 
establishment has been greatly extended and remodelled during the last 
five years, and the whole of the arrangements are in accordance with the 
requirements of modern Orchid culture, and are reflected in the health of 
the plants, which leaves nothing to be desired. 
The first division of the upper range is an Odontoglossum house, and 
On entering it we found about half the centre stage devoted to a fine batch 
y | ORCHIDS AT RAWDON, EAST YORKS. 
