THE ORCHID REVIEW. 107 
THE HIGHBURY COLLECTION. 
To any one who contemplates forming a collection of Orchids, the wealth 
of materials to select from must sometimes prove rather embarrassing. 
There is abundant scope for individual tastes to come into play, and conse- 
quently not the remotest possibility of one dead level of uniformity being 
reached. The truth of these propositions is well illustrated in the three 
collections which have been described in our preceding numbers, and in 
some respects will be further emphasised to-day. 
The collection brought together by the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, 
M.P., at his residence, Highbury, Moor Green, near Birmingham, is a 
very extensive, and at the same time a very select one. Much care and 
forethought has been expended upon it, and with the most. satisfactory 
results. Mr. Chamberlain, as is well known, takes a special interest in 
this handsome family. He is a collector of the best varieties of the most 
beautiful species, or those most useful as decorative plants; and, further, 
has an intimate knowledge of the history of individual specimens, and of 
the various expedients which in some cases had to be resorted to before 
they could be induced to grow and flower satisfactorily. 
Thirteen houses are devoted to Orchids. These, with some others, 
together with a lofty conservatory, are connected by a corridor, which 
extends from the dwelling, and the whole block of buildings is so arranged 
that any part of it may be visited without going into the open air. The 
Principal houses are fitted with electric lighting apparatus, and when used 
the effect is said to be very charming. 
The Orchids are under the care of Mr. H. A. Burberry, on whom they 
reflect great credit, being well cultivated generally, and in excellent health. 
Many rarities are represented in the collection, and some of these will be 
pointed out as we proceed. 
In the corridor is a fine strong plant of the tall Sobralia Cattleya, which 
stows well, but, as at Burford, cannot be induced to flower. Some day, 
perhaps, the shy beauty may be induced to unfold her charms—for we are 
assured it is a beautiful thing, and less fugacious than many others—but 
the secret of success has yet to be learnt. Perhaps we do not yet under- 
Stand sufficiently the conditions under which the plant grows in its native 
habitat, 
The Cattleya house contains a superb collection of Cattleyas and 
Lalias, including many varieties of great merit, and all in the most 
“igorous health. Cattleya Gaskelliana albens and C. Mossia Wageneri are 
in the collection, also fine plants of C. Trianz alba, and other white Cattleyas. 
The unique C. Gaskelliana picta is a handsome thing, with the sepals and 
Petals regularly striped or flamed along the centre with a deeper shade of 
colour, as in the case of C. Mossie Hardyana. The beautiful Cattleya 
