Marlfield Collection. 
WEST DERBY, 
LIVERPOOL. 
OF the many collections of Orchids in 
Lancashire, one of the oldest, and 
also one of the healthiest, is that 
at Marlfield, West Derby, Liverpool, the 
residence of 
Richard le Doux, 
Esq. Lovers of 
nature wiU find 
numerous objects 
of beauty m the 
many green- 
houses which are 
conveniently sit- 
uated in the 
extensive and 
attractive garden 
of this residence. 
Orchids, of 
course, easily 
hold the premier 
position, and re- 
ceive the largest 
amount of admir- 
ation, for to them 
undoubtedly be- 
longs all that 
is sublime and 
beautiful. After 
a long period ex- 
tending to some 
thirty or more 
years, spent in 
the cultivation of 
these plants, it is 
not surprising to find that Mr. le Doux has a 
wide knowledge of the subject, and his ready 
memory serves to recall many past 
experiences and details of Orchids which 
from time to time have been added to his 
Richard le Doux, Esq., and Mrs. R. le Doux. 
collection. But in this he is not alone, for 
whenever the conversation turns to the topic 
of Orchids, one finds that Mrs. Richard le 
Doux IS not only a student and lover of 
nature, buta close 
follower of the 
hybridist's art, 
and thus is fully 
able to appre- 
ciate the various 
methods and re- 
sults by which 
this gorgeous 
family of plants 
is being rapidly 
extended. 
For decorative 
purposes Den- 
drobiums prove 
very useful, the 
more so when the 
whole bulb witli 
all the flowers 
attached is 
severed from the 
plant. At Marl- 
field, Dendro- 
bium Ainsworthii 
splendidissimum, 
nobile virginale, 
Dearei, Devon- 
ian u m , and 
ThwaitesijE are 
favourites. These 
plants have made rapid headway, and the 
thick, healthy bulbs are just the kind to give 
an abundance of large, long-lasting flowers. 
Several good plants of Coelogyne Dayana are 
producing their interesting and necklace-like 
