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KEPORT ON THE 



specimens of this calibre at our Orchid Show, Mr. James 

 Douglas, of the gardens at Great Gearies, has more recently 

 exhibited before the Koyal Horticultural Society a beautiful 

 bona jide plant of Odontoglossum vexiUarium, bearing two hundred 

 flowers. But, on the other hand, we may point out that the 

 general level of cultivation, as shown by the whole mass of 

 Orchids at the Conference, was very high, and we selected the 

 following for especial notice. But as a general list of amateur 

 and trade exhibitors, with lists of the species shown by them, 

 will be appended to this report, it is unnecessary that I should 

 do more here than refer to their general excellence. The 

 President of the Society, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., Baron 

 Schroder, Mr. Lee, The Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Peacock, Mr. 

 Pollett, Mr. Southgate, Mr. W. Brymer, and Mr. Neville Wyatt, 

 amongst other distinguished amateurs, had very remarkable 

 collections of plants. Taking the exhibits generally, the generm 

 best represented were Odontoglossum, Cypripedium, Dendrobium, 

 Masdevallia, and the Cattleyas and Laalias. 



From the Kew collection there was a well- flowered plant of 

 Epidendrum bico nudum, a plant by no means easy to grow, and 

 with it a remarkable specimen of the dwarf Phalwnopsis Parishii, 

 covered with its dainty white and purple flowers, also a well-bloomed 

 ( 'attleya Skinnerii alba. Mr. De B. Crawshay exhibited a remark- 

 ably strong piece of Cattleya gigas, imported in September, 1884 

 bearing five flowers on its last made growth. From Chatsworth 

 came a plant of the Chinese climbing Orchid Benanthera coccinea, 

 about nine feet in height. As shown this splendid plant was 

 not in bloom, but it is well known as being one of the very few 

 plants of this species which — as its old flower spikes testified — 

 has flowered regularly for the past ten or more years. At Chats- 

 worth it is grown in the large conservatory on the trunk of a 

 small birch tree, to the shining bark of which its thong-like 

 roots firmly adhere. Messrs. Sander and Co. exhibited a remark- 

 ably fine plant of Cattleya Skinnerii alba, and this plant was sold 

 by them at the Conference for two hundred and fifty guineas, a 

 like sum having been realized by Messrs. Veitch for Lalia bella 

 about the same time. It should be borne in mind, however, 

 that these high prices represent to a great extent rarity rather 

 than good culture alone. Some strong plants of Odontoglossum 

 Alexandra:, well bloomed and representing fine variations, came 

 from Mr. A. H. Smee's garden, at the Grange, Wallington, 



