THE ORCHID REVIEW. 297 
ORCHIDS AT WEST DERBY, LIVERFOOL. 
Last month we described two very interesting collections of Orchids at 
Liverpool (page 275). Three others are situated in the West Derby 
district, which we also had the pleasure of seeing. 
The collection of R. le Doux, Esq., Marlfield, West Derby, is a 
thoroughly representative one, and is presided over by Mr. Thomas Archer, 
who, like its owner, is a most enthusiastic Orchidist, and, under such 
conditions, one is certain to find many interesting. and well-cultivated 
plants. The plants are mostly contained in four houses, and we may 
mention the Warm house first, as, owing to the lateness of the Spring, 
this department contained most in flower. Here we were specially pleased 
to find the magnificent specimen of Aérides odoratum which we figured last 
year (page 273) in thriving condition, and again showing for flower. The 
spikes, forty in number, have since developed, as recorded at page 195. 
Some curiosity was expressed as to how the plant would behave in future, 
after the vicissitudes it had experienced, as previously described, but it is stil] 
as vigorous as ever, and likely to go on improving. Two plants of 
Dendrobium Bensonz were flowering freely, and it was interesting to learn 
that they have been in the collection since 1892. Mr. Archer states that 
they are literally deluged with water while growing, but in the autumn they 
are hung close to a ventilator, still in the same house, and allowed a 
comparatively dry rest until growth recommences. There were also some 
very good D. Wardianum received about the same time, and one plant 
which has been in the collection for twelve years is still as vigorous as ever, 
which hardly bears out the popular idea that it is difficult to grow. 
Deterioration evidently arises from improper treatment. Others in flower 
included D. Parishii and D. nobile, the rare D. cariniferum with eleven 
good flowering growths, with D. clavatum in bud. The beautiful Diacrium 
bicornutum was finely in flower, together with a good Phalznopsis Luedde- 
manniana, and a fine lot of Cypripedes, a group which is strongly 
represented. Several fine examples of C. barbatum and Lawrenceanum 
were very effective, also a good C. Mastersianum, a fine dark C. ciliolare, 
and a number of hybrids, including C. x Louise with twin-flowered scape, 
four good plants of C. xX Ledouxiz, including the original, and three of 
C. X Daviesianum, which particularly merited notice. Lelia Cowani was 
developing a good scape from the sheath. 
The Cattleya house contains a good selection of the various species, for 
the most part not yet in flower, with the exception of C. Skinneri, and 
some good examples of C. citrina, though others, together with Lelias, 
were in bud. Here were also good flowering examples of Odontoglossum 
citrosmum, Miltonia Roezlii, and Cymbidium Lowianum, together with 
