Walton Grange, 
Stone, Staffordshire. 
THIS delightful Staffordshire residence 
has been in the possession of its pre- 
sent owner for close upon fifty years, 
and during nearly the whole of this time it 
has been associated with orchid culture. Its 
genial owner, Mr. W. Thompson, is known 
all the world over as one of the foremost 
orchid amateurs, and Walton Grange will 
undoubtedly live m orchid history. 
Situate within an easy drive of the famous 
gardens of Trentham, Mr. Thompson fre- 
quently visited this ducal establishment, where 
his love for orchids was iirst stimulated. 
Forty-one years ago Trentham was the 
home of a good collection, which was under 
the care of the late Mr. Zadok Stevens, and 
Mr. Thompson took a deep interest m all that 
he saw, particularly Odontoglossums of the 
famous Pacho type. Forty' one years is a 
long spell in a hobby, and there is no exag- 
geration in saying that Mr Thompson's devo- 
tion to orchids is as keen to-day as when he 
first began their cultivation. 
It is not out of place to mention at this stage 
that Mr. W. Stevens has had charge of the 
collection for the whole period of its exist- 
ence, and points out with honest pride some 
Odontoglossum plants which have been in the 
collection over forty years, proving that one 
of the features at Walton Grange must be 
good cultivation. 
In the early seventies Mr. Thompson paid 
frequent visits to Stevens' Rooms, and can tell 
some interesting stories of the disposal of 
