November, 1913.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 343 
seedling Orchids were removed to Langley, near Slough, and six years 
later Seden retired, being succeeded by Mr. T. A. Briscoe, who had for 
some time been in charge of the Kew collection, and who has since carried 
on the work with much success. Some handsome hybrids have already 
flowered, but a large number of choice crosses have not yet reached the 
flowering stage. 
Another important service rendered to Orchidology by Messrs. Veitch 
was the production of their Manual of Orchidaceous Plants, which was issued 
in ten parts between 1894 and 1897, and which still remains the standard 
work on Garden Orchids. It forms two volumes of large octavo size. 
Lastly, we may mention the Hortus Veitchit, by James H. Veitch, a 
handsome quarto volume, which appeared in 1906, in which the history and 
work of the firm in its various departments is recorded, and to which we 
acknowledge our indebtedness for some of the facts mentioned in this 
article. We regret the loss of an old historic firm, but have the satisfaction 
of knowing that the Orchid Department at Langley has fallen into worthy 
hands. We look with confidence to Messrs. Flory and Black to uphold the 
traditions of the Veitchian firm in the future. And we hope that Sir Harry 
and Lady Veitch may long be spared to enjoy their well-earned retirement. 
THE AMATEUR’S COLLECTION, 
By C. ALWYN HARRISON, F.R.H.S. 
THIs month is rather a trying one for the successful cultivation of Orchids, 
as, owing to the vagaries of the weather, it is often a matter of extreme 
difficulty to maintain even temperatures and avoid fluctuations, which are 
so bad for these plants. But by care and intelligent stoking much can be 
accomplished, and an average day temperature of 53° to 60° Fahr., with a 
drop to 50° at night, should be maintained as far as possible. Continue to 
admit air on all favourable occasions, and if the sun shines brightly at noon 
and there is sufficient heat in the pipes, the top and bottom ventilators can 
usually be opened, but generally air can only be given through the latter. 
From now to the beginning of March much caution is needed in the 
watering of the plants. An overdose will often result in the loss of an 
Orchid, especially if the weather is dull and evaporation slow... Therefore, 
on. looking over the plants, it will be found a good plan to leave until the 
following day any plant which does not actually require water, for much 
less harm is done by a day’s drying than by sas the plant’s roots to be 
growing in a sodden mass of compost. 
The winter-flowering Cypripediums, such as aureum, Actzus, Boxallii, 
Calypso, Elsie, Hera, Hitchinsiz, insigne and its many varieties, Leeanum, 
nitens, Rossetti, Sallieri, triumphans, and villosum will now be throwing 
up their flowers, and the plants should be carefully looked over, all dead 
