THE ORCHID REVIEW. 307 
ORCHIDS AT NORTH EASTON, MASS., U.S.A. 
Mr. OAKES AMES is at present one of the leading botanists and Orchid 
amateurs in the United States, and a devoted lover and promoter of Orchid 
culture. Within the last few years he has accumulated a remarkable 
collection, which is steadily increasing as facilities offer for acquiring new 
and desirable species, and hybrids ot merit, not already in stock. 
The collection embraces nearly one hundred genera, and is especially 
rich in Cypripedia, of which alone nearly three hundred and fifty species 
and hybrids are grown; among them a fine series of hybrids of the concolor 
section, as C. X Arnoldie, x Annie Ayling, X Chapmanii, x Cowleyanum, 
x Evenor, xX Gertrude Hollington, X Mawoodii, x Marchioness of 
Salisbury, x microchilum, xX Miss Minnie Ames, X Georgeanum, X Mrs. 
E. V. Low, &c.; with a choice selection of other rare hybrids, such as xX 
Arthurianum pulchellum, x Aspasia, x Chamber-Leeanum, X Deedmani- 
anum, X Frau Ida Brandt, x Harrisander, X Massaianum, xX Oakes 
Ames, X Neptune, x W. R. Lee, X Youngianum superbum, and numerous 
other good things; a good suite of C. insigne varieties—Sandere, Laura 
Kimball, and five others of the yellow varieties; also a fine lot of choice 
seedlings of his own raising, which promise startling results in the near 
future. Selenipedium is also well represented, covering nearly every distinct 
species and hybrid up to date. 
The plants are all in excellent condition, and are grown under cool 
treatment, in a shallow compost, consisting of chopped sphagnum moss and 
Osmunda fibre, thus ensuring free drainage. The compost is kept moist at 
all times, and copious syringing overhead is given daily during bright 
weather. Air is freely admitted by both top and bottom ventilators night 
and day during summer, thus keeping up a free atmospheric circulation at 
all times, and, as a result, the damping off of growths, even among the 
concolor section, is a thing unknown in the collection. 
Shading consists of a thin coat of white paint applied to the glass, in 
preference to canvas shading. 
The Cattleyas and kindred genera are treated much after the method 
used for Cypripediums. Air is freely admitted, and syringing overhead freely 
indulged in, with the best possible results, as is shown by the clean, healthy 
vigour of the plants, and the absence of scale, thrip, and other pests. During 
the winter months the shading is completely removed, and the sun allowed 
free access. A temperature of 55° to 60° F. is given by night, and allowed 
to rise ten degrees higher during the day. 
The Cool Orchids are grown in a shaded north house, and though the 
hot summer weather in America is a serious drawback to the successful 
culture of the Odontoglossum crispum section and Masdevallias, yet the 
