THE ORCHID REVIEW. 303 
ORCHIDS AT TIXALL LODGE, TIXALL, STAFFS. 
HERE, at Tixall Lodge, the pretty residence of E. Bostock, Esq., is a very 
neat, compact, and well-grown collection of Orchids. There are five 
departments alloted solely to their cultivation, including warm, inter- 
mediate, and cool temperatures, and the most popular species and varieties 
are well represented. A good many hybrids are also to be noted, several of 
which have been raised here and which are growing on in their various 
sizes, according to age, some having attained almost flowering size, whilst 
_ others are still babies in thimble pots. 
The object of the present note is chiefly to mention a few special 
features with which we were much impressed on our recent visit. The 
most prominent of these, perhaps, is a magnificent batch of about a dozen 
plants of Oncidium Londesboroughianum in the very finest condition, and 
producing flower spikes freely. Never before have we seen this species 
doing so well and looking so thriving. Although old-established plants, 
there seems no signs whatever of deterioration ; on the contrary, this year’s 
pseudobulbs are equally as large and fine as any made previously. In our 
experience with this species we have found it succeed best suspended in a 
light position in the Cattleya house, or, perhaps, better still in the Mexican 
house, and have recommended such positions, yet here they are seen 
growing away without the slightest trouble in pots on the stage in an 
ordinary Cattleya house, retaining their leaves fresh and_ perfect, 
surrounded by the ordinary inmates of such a house, and in receipt of 
similar treatment. We tried to ascertain why they should do so 
uncommonly well in this particular house, but could detect no special 
reason. A piece of elm wood with bark was simply made fast in a pot, and 
on this the plant was fixed, a surfacing of compost being placed over the 
crocks, as in the usual practice. Adjoining the above was a splendid ame 
of Miltonia spectabilis Moreliana in bloom, some of which were magnificent 
in size and richness of colour. 
A very fine batch of Cattleya Harrisoniana also stood out conspicuously, 
most of which were tip top varieties, but one so far outstripped the 
remainder as to suggest that it was a flower of some other species ; it would 
not discredit the beautiful Cattleya superba, so large and well shaped, and 
of such substance and brilliancy of colour was the bloom. There is some- 
thing peculiar, too, about the pseudobulbs and leaves that would almost 
lead one to the conclusion that it might by a natural hybrid. 
But the finest species seen in bloom was, we think, a batch of Cattleya 
Eldorado. Here were several fine, healthy specimens of the beautiful 
Cattleya Eldorado Wallisii, in full flower, and the symmetry of the bloom, 
the pure whiteness of the sepals and petals, and the intense richness of the 
