358 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [DECEMBER, I915. 
v 
N January, 1902, page 4, there appeared in the Orchid Review an account 
of the Orchids cultivated by Mr. R. W. Rickards, from the pén of Mr. 
H. A. Burberry, and, after a lapse of over thirteen years, a few more notes 
on the same collection may be interesting, and they will show that the 
owner still maintains his love for the fascinating plants to which this 
journal is devoted. It was on November 18th last that my visit was made, 
and it was not long before I discovered an enthusiast, and one who could 
appreciate a good Orchid. I must state at the beginning that Mr. Rickards 
is a keen amateur, and one who attends to the potting, watering, &c., 
himself. The collection is a small but choice one, and consists o1 
Cypripediums, Odontoglossums, and Cattleyas, the former being in the 
majority. Every plant was in the rudest health, and there were several 
ORCHIDS: Ade THE. PRIORY, USK: 
growths in each pot, while numerous scapes were twin-flowered. The 
foliage was hard, and a beautiful tint of green, and the flowers were in 
consequence of that fine firm texture that indicates the highest possible 
development. 
I felt, upon entering the Cypripedium house, and viewing the plants as 
a whole, that the cultural conditions were right. A close inspection was 
then begun in company with Mr. Rickards, and the following are a few of 
the most conspicuous of the 200 blooms that were fully expanded at the 
time. Many were characterised by the beautifully spotted dorsal sepals, 
some showing a tendency towards red, and others a deep purplish-violet- 
The Shrubbery variety of C. elatior had three scapes and four flowers, the 
reddish spots being well developed. Other noteworthy plants included C. 
The Baron, C. Moonbeam, an exceptionally good plant of this scarce 
Cypripedium, with ten strong growths and three stout buds. Another 
interesting plant was C. Connie (Fairrieanum x glaucophyllum), and C. 
Iona (Faririeanum xX bellatulum), is also a desirable acquisition to this 
pretty group. A very fine form of C: Priam was noted with five flowers, 
also the Westonbirt variety of C. Lord Wolmer, the white C. Boltonii, and 
a grand form of C. Thalia still one of the most brilliantly-coloured of 
autumn-blooming Cypripedes. 
C. Leeanum Corona had twin-flowered scapes, and a beautiful type of 
C. Actaus was characterised by the large area of pure white on the dorsal 
sepal. C. St. Alban is distinct so far as colour is concerned, and provided 
a pleasing contrast to C. insigne Harefield Hall var. and C. i. Sandere, of 
which there were some excellent examples. C. Goliath Lee’s variety is 2 
fine bold flower, and C. Queen Alexandra, a charming variety with very 
bright spots on the dorsal sepal, had three strong scapes and a number 
