210 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JuLy, 1y1z 
ORCHIDS FOR CUT BLOOM, 
THE collection of Orchids formed by Messrs. Swan & Price, St. Albans, is 
mainly for supplying the cut flower trade, and on calling there the other 
day we found many interesting features. On entering the first house a fine 
batch of Dendrobium Phalenopsis at once arrested our attention, with 
another large consignment of the same species just unpacked. Many plants 
of D. formosum and Dalhou-nobile weré also pictures of health. 
In the next house were many fine plants of Cypripedium bellatulum and 
niveum, all in robust condition, and comprising such excellent varieties of 
the former as Queen of Spain, Oakdene var. and album. Many white 
Cattleyas were also pointed out, mostly not in flower, but a nice C. 
Mendelii was just opening its flowers, whilst two grand specimens of C. 
Fabia’ x Leliocattleya callistoglossa were just starting into growth. 
The next structure was entirely devoted to Cattleyas and their allies. 
A good batch of imported C. Mossize and Lelia purpurata were 
re-establishing themselves nicely, whilst in bloom were C. Schroedere with 
white sepals and petals, Brassocattleya Maronii and Thorntonii, Brasso- 
lzlia Helen and Veitchii. 
Two following houses were filled with the choicest of Cypripedium 
hybrids, from which a grand display of bloom is expected this winter, one 
structure alone being devoted to C. insigne Sandere. 
The corridor connecting these houses contains a_ large beach of 
Cymbidiums, white Lzlia anceps in great variety, and about three hundred 
plants of a very good type of Dendrobium Wardianum. 
We next came to two low-built structures, in the first of which an 
exceptionally fine batch of unflowered Miltonia vexillaria were growing 
finely. Some idea can be conveyed of the robustness of these Orchids 
when it is remarked that the majority carried three spikes to one bulb, and 
in one case I observed five. A very good type of Odontoglossum crispum 
is possessed, whilst the only known example of O. c. Ethel Rogerson had 
large, well-shaped flowers, blotched with vivid claret. A fine plant of 
Oncidium crispum was also in bloom. 
The last house contained large batches of Odontoglossum seedlings, 
including many O. Edwardii crosses, and Odontiodas of the last named, O- 
Bradshawiz, a good O. Charlesworthii and O. beechensis (O. Rolfe x C- 
Neetzliana) making a good display. 
_ The collection is in thriving condition, and reflects the greatest credit 
upon Mr. W. C. Price, who has the entire charge of the Orchids, and who, 
it will be remembered, was formerly Orchid grower to the late Mr. E. J- 
Rogerson, and Calendar writer to the Orchid Review, 
C. ALWYN HARRISON. 
