October, 1912.] 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
II 
from the roof, Bougainvilleas, and baskets of 
Davallias. At the end of this useful con- 
struction is the first Cattleya house, and here 
may be seen numerous plants, mostly hybrids, 
£dl of the finest parentage. The compost in 
which they are grown consists of equal parts 
osmunda and A.i fibre with a small addition 
of sphagnum moss. Most of the plants are 
placed on stout wire stands, a method which 
effectually prevents slugs from reaching 
them. In one corner of the house are 
numerous back bulbs of the choicest varieties ; 
these are given every inducement to start 
growth, and all those showing signs of life are 
subsequently placed in small pots. In another 
corner are various small seedlings, needless to 
say all resulting from the use of only the 
very best varieties. 
Several other houses are devoted to 
Cattleya hybrids, those of aurea being greatly 
admired by Mr. Leemann. Small flowering 
hybrids find little favour in this collection ; 
these and others which are of poor colour 
are soon expelled to make room for the better 
ones which constantly require more room as 
they advance in size. 
It would be impossible to describe the many 
blotched varieties of Odontoglossum crispum 
or even the superb hybrids in this collection, 
so varied and beautiful are their flowers. The 
Odontiodas are well represented, and on 
account of their brightly coloured flov/ers give 
additional charm to the house. 
Cypripediums fill another large span-roofed 
house, but give but little pleasure to their 
owner. Here Mr. Leemann substantially 
differs from the views of many Lancashire 
Orchid amateurs, for he in no way considers 
Cypripediums equal in beauty or usefulness to 
the large flowering Cattleyas of which he has 
such a superb collection. 
The original plants of many hybrids are of 
great interest, for, although they can hardly 
be called type specimens, as in the case of 
species, they show what advancement, if any, 
has occurred during recent years. In a few 
instances the originals have not yet been 
surpassed ; in others, by the assistance of 
better parental varieties considerable improve- 
ment has been effected. These, and many 
other matters, all show the great amount of 
interest obtainable from an Orchid collection. 
The atmosphere of Lancashire cannot be 
considered an ideal one for Orchid culture, 
but largely owing to Mr. Leemann's fore- 
thought in the special construction of the 
houses the general condition of the plants is 
really astonishing. Young seedlings make 
rapid headway, small propagated plants 
quickly advance in size, and old-established 
specimens maintain a healthy condition rarely 
seen in other collections. Almost the whole 
of the Orchid bloom is cut twice a week for 
indoor table decoration. 
With such a large and important collection 
it is impossible to individualise any special 
plants or varieties ; close inspection alone will 
reveal the numerous specimens and the high 
state of good culture, largely due to the 
unremitting careful attention of Mr. S. Smith 
and his principal assistant, Mr. Chambers. 
Lastly, it should be mentioned that Mr. 
Leemann possesses a remarkable love for his 
garden. The beautifully laid out grounds 
with the masses of ornamental foliage, 
specimen hollies and choice conifers ; the 
thousands of rhododendrons in all the best 
varieties ; the lake with its water-lilies, and 
close by the tastefully arranged rose beds, all 
reflect his personal interest. Spacious vineries 
and well-constructed fruit houses may also be 
seen. 
As an indoor recreation Mr. Leemann has 
a marvellous collection of gorgeous tropical 
butterflies and moths, numbering between four 
and five thousand specimens, and including 
all the rarest known species. His interest 
in this subject may encourage others to 
appreciate another of the many wonders 
which Nature has provided for us. 
Mexican L.-ELIAS. — About 750 plants from 
the " Rosefield " collection will be sold by 
Messrs. Protheroe and Morris, at their sale 
rooms, on October 25th. Mr. de Barri Craw- 
shay intends to cultivate large specimen 
Odontoglossums in their place, and for this 
reason the house will be suitably rebuilt. 
