DECEMBER, 1908.] THE ORCHID REVIEW. 357 
coloured, the brilliant L.-c. Golden Oriole, good examples of L.-c. Priam, 
and a little gem of a hybrid between C. Harrisoniana and L.-c. Charles- 
worthii, bearing many lilac flowers, with deep purple veining on the lip. 
The great majority, however, we could only admire and pass on, for they 
were far too numerous to note in detail. 
The Odontoglossum house contains a lot of sturdy plants, in the most 
robust health, some that were in spike or flower being quite remarkable. A 
sturdy plant of O. X Andersonianum, Westonbirt var., bore a noble 
panicle with seven side branches, and an aggregate of about eighty fine 
flowers, cream white in colour, with large red-brown blotches, and formed 
quite a picture. A form of O. crispum had a panicle of buds with eight 
side branches, and one of O. X crispo-Harryanum had two panicles with 
three side branches, while another plant of the latter had twenty-three 
expanded flowers of great beauty. O. crispum, Westonbirt var., bore a 
spike of twenty-one flowers, with one side branch, the shape and size being 
quite exceptional, and the colour blush white, with only a few spots on the 
lip. A good white O. crispum bore a spike of sixteen flowers. Some good 
Miltonias were also noted, ana a plant of Odontioda Devossiana was pointed 
out, of course not in flower, or it would have revealed itself. 
These houses contained almost a second collection, so numerous are the 
plants, while their culture leaves nothing to be desired. The whole collec- 
tion is remarkable, both as regards culture and quality, and after inspecting 
it in detail one is able to realise how it is that such magnificent groups 
from Westonbirt appear from time to time at our leading shows. Up to 
the end of 1907 nine Gold Medals had been awarded to groups from the 
collection, all from the R.H.S., and since then the following others have been 
gained: R.H.S., March, 1908; Ghent, April, 1908; R.H.S., Temple Show, 
1908; York Gala, July, 1908, York Gala Medal, R-H.S. Medal, and Veitch 
Memorial Medal; and R.H.S., October, 1908; making a total of sixteen. 
At the Temple Show in 1907 the Veitchian Cup was also awarded to a 
group from Westonbirt. The group shown at Ghent was the largest yet 
staged from the collection, having an area of over 300 square feet. The 
record is a remarkable one, and both Col. Holford and his able grower, Mr. 
Alexander, must be congratulated on their enthusiasm and success. 
Col. Holford has a good collection of paintings of certificated Orchids, 
and a complete catalogue of the collection, in which the history and parent- 
age of every plant can be turned up in a moment by means of the number. 
Every plant is numbered, the numbers being stamped on a lead label, 
which is clipped on to the rim of the pot. Orchid growing as practised at 
Westonbirt is a delightful hobby, and a day spent with Col. Holford among 
his plants will not soon be forgotten. 
