202 THE ORCHID REVIEW. [JULY, 1909. 
how long the species has been known in cultivation. About this time, how- 
ever, D. nobile was being imported in enormous quantities, and from a new 
district, from which the other albino forms may also have come. D. n. 
virginale was first raised true from seed in the collection of R. G. Thwaites, 
Esq., of Streatham, seedling plants being exhibited at a meeting of the 
Royal Horticultural Society, on March 8th, 1904 (O.R., xii. pp: 103, I14). 
We had previously recorded the existence of a batch of seedlings, and 
the fact that the cross was made to see if the variety would come 
true from seed. The result has been amply confirmed by the 
experiment of Messrs. Armstrong & Brown, who exhibited a home-raised 
seedling in bloom at the R.H.S. meeting held on March 5th, 1907, and a 
group of about 150 others about a month later, to which a Silver-gilt Flora 
Medal was awarded (O.R., xv. pp. 120, 147). Extensive groups have since 
been exhibited, both in London and Manchester. Messrs. Armstrong & 
Brown must be congratulated on the success of their experiment, which 
might well be repeated in the case of other rare varieties which can neither 
be imported in quantity nor propagated rapidly by the usual method of 
dividing. The experience gained in raising hybrid seedlings might thus 
be put to very useful account. 
ORCHID COLLECTIONS ROUND MANCHESTER. 
In no corner of England are there so many Orchid collections as in the 
district round Manchester, and evidence of the enthusiasm of their owners 
is furnished by the fact that for the Jast twelve years the Manchester and 
North of England Orchid Society has held a series of fortnightly meetings 
without the aid of other attractions. At many of these meetings there have 
been magnificent displays of Orchids, and during the past year competitions 
for no fewer than five trophies have been in progress, the awards being 
made on the aggregate number of points gained by exhibitors. We have 
been informed that there are hundreds of Orchid collections within a 
radius of twenty miles around Manchester, and although the number 
includes some of very modest dimensions, there are many of considerable 
importance, and the number, we believe, tends to increase. A few notes 
from such a centre is sure to be interesting, and the following were made 
during a recent visit :— 
THE VINE House CoLLeEcTION. 
One of the leading collections in the district is that of A. Warburton, 
Esq., Vine House, Haslingden, who has secured the premier awards in the 
competitions of the Manchester Orchid Society for the past year. This 
collection is particularly rich in choice Odontoglossums, and in species and 
hybrids of the Cattleya group, but we also saw a fine lot of Cypripedes, and 
some other interesting things, including many of the inevitable seedlings, 
