DuCEMBER, 1915.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 359 
of growths. C. Curlew is another good thing, and C. Pyramus var. Garnet 
is a gem of the first water. The flower is perfect, and the colour 
magnificent. C. Nydia, with three flowers, was also good. C. Satyr 
(Beryl X Euryades) and C. Pyramus (Euryades splendens X Mrs. Wm. 
Mostyn) were excellent, and among those as yet unnamed were C. G. F. 
Moore X Leeanum Clinkaberryanum, and Earl of Tankerville X alportense. 
More will be heard of these sterling novelties later on. 
The object at The Priory is to secure flowers of the best quality, and to 
this end the plants are not divided at every opportunity. In this respect 
the collection is unique, as most growers, directly they secure a first-class 
variety, endeavour to increase the stock without delay, with the result that 
it is some years before the plant can do itself justice again after producing 
its first flowers. A high standard of excellence is maintained, as Mr. 
Rickards discards a few each year, and adds ‘‘ new blood” from time to 
time. 
With plants in such a fine condition, I was prompted to inquire about 
the treatment given, and I was informed that, in regard to repotting, the 
soil employed consisted very largely of good fibrous loam, which formed 
the bulk, with a little fibre and leaves added. In such a compost the 
plants will go two, and, as a general rule, three, years without further 
disturbance, but the watering must be done carefully. Wood lath roller 
blinds are used, and the interior of the house is much the same as the usual 
Orchid structure, with porous bricks placed in front of the hot-water pipes. 
The house and plants presented a smart and clean appearance, and it was 
a treat to me to see such a valuable lot of plants, a great number being in 
flower. Very few plants had single spikes, each one being more or less a 
specimen, which would make several good pieces if it was thought desirable 
to divide them. Plants thus grown are always more effective than when 
divided. 
The Cattleyas and allied genera occupied a smaller house, but here 
again the discrimination of the connoisseur was evident. A beautiful form 
C. Fabia, 
of Cattleya Rhoda was seen, fine varieties of C. Dowiana aurea, 
and a well developed C. Luege. Among the Brassocattleyas was B.-c. 
Cliftonii, with broad massive sepals and a prettily fringed lip, quite in 
Proportion to the other parts of the flower. Lelia anceps, especially such 
Varieties as Schroederiana and Sanderiana, will give a display about 
Christmas, and Lzliocattleya bella alba was in bloom. Many plants, of 
Course, were not in flower, such as Brassocattleya Digbyano-gigas, and 
Bc. Leemaniz, the latter being a favourite, and represented by ten healthy 
€xamples. Cattleya Maggie-Raphael alba, and other choice Cattleyas, are 
also grown, and the plants generally were in excellent condition. A few 
Oncidiums are grown with the Cattleyas. 
