a26 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [APRIL, 1915, 
HE issue of Horticulture for March 6th contains a portrait of Mr. J. T. 
Butterworth, of Framingham, Mass., who grows Orchids for the 
Boston market. A sincere and earnest lover of plants, Mr. Butterworth 
‘personally cares for every one of his twenty thousand Orchid plants. He 
“was one ofthe first to grow Orchids in quantity for commercial use in New 
England. The first house on the place was built in 1848, by C. J. Power, 
‘the original owner. This was a lean-to affair against the side of a barn, 
which stands to-day, a fitting demonstration of the remarkable progress in 
greenhouse construction since that time. There are now twelve houses, 
most of them built since Mr. Butterworth came into possession, about 
-sixteen years ago. He served his apprenticeship in England, came to this 
country in 1888, worked in Stoughton for some time, became manager for 
~C. J. Power, and finally bought over the business. 
Not only the stock, but the houses themselves are of interest. All but 
~two are old-fashioned, with small panes, heavy, thick woodwork, and replete 
with encumbrances and appliances that make the modern house a veritable 
palace in comparison. ‘ But,’ as Mr. Butterworth says, ‘‘ each man is the 
-architect of his own fortune,” and with the tools in his possession, he has 
-carved out. for himself an enviable reputation for fine Orchids. In 
reference to interesting houses, we noted one which formerly grew roses 
-and which in its time was the largest house in the state, built thirty-five 
_years ago. . In its present condition it runs north to south, but when first 
built it ran east to west, and in moving not a pane of glass was broken. 
Hot water is still used to heat the range. 
Very little importing is done here, as Mr. Butterworth is almost a crank 
~on efficiency and conservation. The weak-looking odds and ends 
accumulated in repotting from time to time are seldom thrown away: 
With infinite patience, and guided by the intuition acquired in life-long 
-acquaintan¢e with plants, all of these are nursed back to healthy, virile life. 
Thus very, few Orchid plants are imported from South America, and 
through this practice some fine strains have been selected, which to-day 
-are to be found nowhere else. A finely-grown specimen Cattleya is also 
included inthe photograph. 
Speaking of importing, Mr. Butterworth states that the importation of 
Cattleya labiata is slowing up rapidly, due to the thousands of plants that 
have been sent to this country in response to public demands. Collectors 
-are finding good specimens exceedingly difficult to secure. In his opinion 
~C. Mossizoutclasses all other Cattleyas for beauty and quality, but 
A BOSTON ORCHID GROWER. ES] 
