174 
THE ORCHID WORLD. 
[May, 1913. 
" Although the Orchid house is the chief 
attriiction, there are many other flowers that 
are well worth seemg, and it is very pleasant 
stroUmg through the shaded plant and palm 
houses, or in the prettily laid out grounds 
behind the nursery." 
ORCHIDS AT CALCUTTA, 
INDIA. 
Orchidists in Europe would welcome the 
occasional exhibition of Orchids which we 
ha\'e here every Spring, as the numerous 
Dendrobes and other \arieties common to 
India, and many of the important species, 
including Cattleyas, Cypripediums, Phate- 
nopsis, and Oncidiums, are not only to be 
seen m full bloom, but the flowers are larger 
and richer m colour than those grown in glass 
conservatories. 
In India the direct sunlight plays a \ery 
important part in the culture of Orchids. It 
reaches the plants in a subdued form through 
the grass thatched roofs. Again, our houses 
are constantly open, being built entirely 
of lattice on all sides, permitting a free 
circulation of air at all times. 
Seldom, if ever, is protection other than the 
grass thatching of our conservatories neces- 
sary, as frost in the depth of winter is 
unknown in Bengal. Consequently, Vv^ith 
these advantages in our favour, we naturall}^ 
expect our Orchids to bloom to perfection. — 
Chas. Power, Orchid Villa, Barrackpore, 
Calcutta. 
ORCHID COLLECTING. 
SOME interesting notes on the difficulties 
of Orchid Collecting are contributed to 
the ] ournal of the Xorth of England 
Horticnltitral Society, by Messrs. Mansell and 
Hatcher, whose collector, Mr. Ryall, died on 
his way back to England after three years' 
work in South America. 
In the autumn of 1909 Ryall left 
Southampton on a Royal Mail steamer for 
Barranquilla, from thence he journeyed up the 
river Magdalena, and eventually reached 
Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Having 
introduced himself to his money agents he 
proceeded to buy ten mules. The wood for 
packing cases was the next consideration. 
This had to be sawn up m special lengths to 
strap on to the mules. Nails, etc., had also 
to be taken up so that boxes could be made 
on the collecting ground. 
Ryall's first experience of mule riding seems 
to have been very trying, but he liked the 
experience of sleeping" under the stars. For 
the first ten days e\'erything went well, but on 
the eleventh night he was aroused by his 
attendants and informed that the natives had 
taken his wood, and a look across the valley 
soon convinced him that this was only too 
true. They had made a bonfire of the boards. 
This meant a dreary ride back to Bogota for 
more boards, and a month wasted. 
A very fine batch of Cattleya Trianee was 
discovered. The plants were just in their 
dormant stage, and travelled well. It is of 
interest to know how the actual collecting is 
done. Usually a site is selected outside a big 
forest, the natives go in with the collector, and 
he superintends the cutting down from the 
trees. As much root as possible is taken, and 
in the evening the plants are tied in bundles 
and carried to the camping ground. About 
three weeks' hard work is required to get a 
decent consignment. Then the making up of 
the cases is commenced. By the use of 
bracken, which is cut and dried, the plants are 
carefully packed m layers. Plenty of air is 
allowed in the cases, which, after being 
marked with shipping numbers, are loaded on 
mules, and the journey to Honda, the chief 
river base, is commenced. 
Ryall found the air in the district full of 
moisture at night and in the early morning, 
whilst bright sunshine during the day 
practicall)- dried the plants. At times strong 
winds prevailed. 
Medals for Orchids.— At the Bourne- 
mouth Spring Show Messrs. Charlesworth and 
Co. received a Gold Medal for their exhibit of 
Orchids. At the Liverpool Show, April 2nd, 
Messrs. Mansell and Hatcher, and Messrs. 
Cowan, Ltd., both received Gold Medals for 
attractive displa)'S. 
