lO 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[October, igi2. 
Orchids requiring a pendulous position in 
which to grow. Suitable species for this 
method are Scuticaria Steelii, Epidendrum 
falcatum, and Cattleya citrina. Tiie only 
extra expenditure is a piece of stout copper 
wire firmly inserted in the fibre and with its 
free end bent into a hook. Orchids grown 
in this manner have a peculiar and tropical 
appearance all their own, and cannot fail to 
please both cultivator and visitor, for they 
prove a source of interest but rarely seen in 
ordinary greenhouses devoted to general 
florists' flowers. 
THE WEST BANK HOUSE COLLECTION. 
HEATON MERSEY, LANCS. 
TWENTY-ONE years have passed since 
the first Orchids were obtained for 
the commencement of this now well- 
known collection, and it was sixteen years ago 
that the plants were removed to West Bank 
House, the present residence of J. Leemann, 
Esq. It would, indeed, be difficult to 
find a more comprehensive assemblage cf 
rarities, more especially so in the albino 
section, for there are no less than 500 strong 
plants of white Cattleyas, including the 
finest forms of Warneri, gigas, labiata, and 
Gaskelliana. 
Form and size are of paramount importance 
in this collection. Albino forms of the small 
growing species, as, for instance, Ljelia pumila 
alba and Cattleya Percivaliana alba, are not 
represented, but their place is more than 
filled by those with larger flowers. Cattleya 
Mossias albinos include all the well-known 
varieties and a few which are unique. It is 
impossible to describe their remarkable form 
and beauty. 
The extensive range of glass houses com- 
prises a section entirely devoted to Orchid 
culture, and consisting of eight span-roof 
houses, each 50 feet in length, and a com- 
modious lean-to house. A well-arranged 
potting shed with ample means for securing a 
good light is also provided, and a ready 
reference to the flowers is always obtainable 
from the numerous paintings which are care- 
fully and methodically stored in several 
cabinets. The somewhat unique construction 
is the result of Mr. Leemann's careful investi- 
gation and long experience in matter apper- 
taining to Orchid culture. 
Above the ordinary roof of the Cattleya 
houses a second one, nearly similar, has been 
erected, the intervening space being about 
seven inches. Along the bottom and a few 
inches above the rain-water gutter :s a one- 
inch hot-water pipe which maintains the inter- 
vening atmosphere at a comfortable vempera- 
ture ; in fact, even in the depth of winter, 
when twenty or more degrees of frost have 
prevailed, it rarely falls below 45 degrees. 
It will thus be seen that, in plain words, a 
warm and suitable atmosphere has been 
created in which the Orchid houses are placed. 
By this method of construction a continual 
day and night ventilation is possible, not only 
m summer, but all through the winter months, 
for only air from within the enclosed space is 
allowed to reach the plants. Also, on account 
of the cold night air being unable to obtain 
access to the inner glass all condensation of 
moisture is done away with, and drip, so 
detrimental on cold winter nights, is almost 
unknown. 
The hot-water heating apparatus is on a 
duplicate .system, separate boilers with their 
own mains ensuring an even sustainment of 
the various temperatures. There is, therefore, 
every safeguard against accident, and conse- 
quent loss through frost entering the houses. 
The Odontoglossum houses have single 
roofs, and along the apex is a perforated pipe 
by means of which a continual stream of cold 
water may be allowed to flow over the glass. 
This quickly lowers the inside temperature 
and proves a most effective device during the 
hottest days of summer. 
The corridor, 130 feet in length, is elegantly 
decorated with Passiflora princeps, the long 
racemes of red flowers hanging gracefully 
