THE ORCHID WORLD. 
io3 
IDlant in this house is Odontoglossum elegans 
PoUet's variety, which, having been recorded 
nearly thirty years ago, is to-day still making 
itself useful by carrying a large nearly ripe 
seed-pod, the result of having been fertilised 
with the pollen of Oncidium macranthum. 
What may be described as a large show- 
house contains a choice selection of fine 
varieties of 
Odontoglos- 
sum crispum. 
Apart from a 
very large 
number in 
spike, there 
are many hav- 
uig fully-open 
flowers, each 
one of which 
exhibits such 
well - formed 
blossoms as to 
deserve a 
\'arietal name. 
The texture of 
these flowers 
is remarkable, 
many being 
quite fleshy, 
while others 
are wax-like. 
Although 
Odontoglos- 
sums take up 
the larger part 
of the stagmg 
in this house, 
several excel- 
lent plants of 
Cy mbidiums 
occupy impor- 
tant positions. 
C. Lowianum is represented by a specimen 
which, when last flowering, carried sixteen 
spikes with an ave/age of fourteen very dark 
flowers on each. C. eburneum, now so much 
sought after, consists of a strong plant having 
eight leads and many bulbs. It was purchased 
at the disposal of the Mount Harry collection 
at Brighton, and is regarded as the finest 
variety yet seen of this beautiful ivory-white 
R. Brooman- 
flowering orchid. C. Tracyanum must not be 
forgotten, for it is part of the very grand form 
known as the " Grange " variety. The true 
majus form of Odontoglossum pulchellum has 
more than a dozen flower spikes, and is alwayfs 
pleasing as a winter-flowering plant. 
In an adjoining house is a large assortment 
of specimen plants of Odontoglossum crispum, 
all good vari- 
eties, and the 
majority 
showing 
flower- spikes. 
The continued 
healthy ap- 
pearance of 
the plants 
causes one to 
inquire about 
the atmos- 
pheric condi- 
tion of the 
houses. Owing 
to the natural 
humidity of 
the external 
air the cris- 
pum houses 
are never 
damped down, 
not even in 
summer. The 
floor is made 
of natural 
earth, covered 
with small 
stones from 
the shore of 
Loch Long ; 
White, Esq. ^- while under- 
neath the 
staging pieces of rock and numerous foliage 
plants have a decorative effect. No under- 
staging is used in the crispum houses ; only 
a thin piece of corrugated iron is laid above 
the hot-water pipes to break the direct heat. 
In the Cypripedium and Cattleya houses it has 
been found advisable to use a second staging 
of damp ashes. 
Miles &^ Kii vc 
