122 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



vigorous growth and beauty of the foliage, or the number of 

 splendid specimens blooming at one time, be considered, far 

 exceeded my warmest anticipations." (Bot. Mag. sub tab. 3,395.) 



Cooper's chief deviations from the established practice con- 

 sisted in a lower mean temperature and the admission of fresh 

 air into the house. A still bolder innovation was adopted shortly 

 afterwards by Paxton at Chatsworth, which caused as much 

 surprise to Dr. Lindley as Cooper's treatment had to Dr. Hooker. 

 Under tab. 5 (Stanhopea quadricornis), in the Botanical Begister 

 for 1838, Dr. Lindley writes : " The success with which epiphytes 

 are cultivated by Mr. Paxton is wonderful, and the climate in 

 which this is effected, instead of being so hot and damp that the 

 plants can only be seen with as much peril as if one had to visit 

 them in an Indian jungle, is as mild and delightful as that of 

 Madeira." The salient points of Paxton's treatment may be 

 thus summarised — a lower temperature with a purer atmosphere; 

 an improved method of potting with especial regard to efficient 

 drainage ; the maintaining of a moist atmosphere by occasionally 

 watering the paths and stages of the house, and greater attention to 

 root development. We here see an approach to the cultural 

 routine of the present day; but twenty years had yet to elapse 

 before the prevailing notions respecting Orchid culture finally 

 gave way. 



Close upon Paxton followed Donald Beaton, who for a few 

 years had charge of Mr. Harris's collection of Orchids at Kingsbury. 

 Beaton insisted upon more attention being paid than hitherto to 

 the climatic conditions under which Orchids grow at high altitudes 

 within the tropics, and the consequent necessity of adapting 

 their cultural treatment accordingly. In proof of his assertions 

 he sent to Sir "William Hooker, who characterised Beaton " as 

 one of the ablest and most scientific gardeners in this country," 

 the details of his successful management of a consignment of 

 Orchids his employer had received from Mexico, and which had 

 been collected by Galeotti at 7,500-9,000 feet elevation. These 

 details are published in the Botanical Magazine for 1841, under 

 tab. 3804 (Laelia ancepsj. 



Long, however, before the period at which I have now arrived, 

 a revolution had been slowly but surely effected which had an 

 enormous influence on the cultivation of plants under glass, and 

 contributed in no small degree to the improvement in Orchid 



