March 5, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
195 
tion gained many hints that enable him to provide for the wants of his 
plants with the greatest exactness. In this he has been materially 
assisted by his gardener, Mr. Heims, who possesses a thoroughly practical 
knowledge of Orchid partialities, and carries it into execution with no 
mean measure of success. The houses are not numerous, and they are of 
moderate size, but they appear to suit the plants well, though there are several 
slight defects which are rectified as far as possible. One of the principles 
of the cultivation adopted at Oldfield is avoiding excessive heat and 
steaming houses, and providing ventilation freely and constantly when¬ 
ever the weather is not unduly severe. Mr. Philbrick fully recognises 
the importance of Dr. Paterson’s cool system, though he does not practise 
it to quite the same extent as that gentleman. Still, the result of this 
intelligent treatment is seen in firm growth, matured foliage, and abundant 
well-developed flowers borne by the plants. Another matter which 
receives attention there, preserving a moist and fresh atmosphere in all 
the houses. Tnis is effected by having the stages covered with small 
gravel and shingle, in which small Ferns, Fittonias, Panicum, and similar 
plants are grown, and they quickly cover the surface, imparting to it a 
possessing the gorgeous tints that distinguish the Cattleyas nor the bright 
hues of the Dendrobiums, Masdevallias, and many other plants, yet they 
have a beauty “ all their own ” that can scarcely be rivalled. Travellers 
describe in enthusiastic terms the charms of these plants in their tropical 
homes, where they cover the trunks and branches of trees with their 
handsome leaves, and produce their spreading panicles of flowers, which 
appear like so many delicately tinted moths with expanded wings. 
Perhaps Mr. Philbrick has read such descriptions and desired to produce 
an approximate representation of the scene, or perhaps he had no such 
romantic views, and merely wished to show what can be done with 
Phalaenopsids when well grown. In any case, though he has not the giant 
trees of a tropical forest, the dense undergrowth, nor the innumerable 
other surroundings which render those scenes so remarkable to travellers 
from temperate climes, yet he has succeeded in obtaining a little “ Para¬ 
dise of Phalasnosids ” that could scarcely be equalled even in those 
regions. How many superlatives have been used by visitors when con¬ 
ducted into this house it would be impossible to say—“charming,” 
“ wonderful,” “ superb,” and similar expressions, accompanied by propor- 
Fig. 35.—The Phal.enopsis House at Oldfield Bickley. 
most agreeable appearance, and retaining about their stems, roots, and 
foliage a constant moisture most beneficial to the Orchids over them. In 
pursuance of this practice the paths and spaces under the stages are in the 
warmer houses similarly open and moisture-holding ; a cement path has 
been broken up to facilitate this, and open trellises are laid down for 
walking upon. By the adoption of a few simple rules of this character 
the supposed difficulties of Orchid culture are easily removed, and its 
practice rendered pleasurable. 
The houses comprise a span-roofed range in two divisions, 35 feet and 
45 feet long respectively, the former devoted to miscellaneous Cattleyas, 
Aerides, Vandas, Cypripediums, &c., the others being chiefly occupied 
with Cattleyas and Laelias, three-quarter span Odontoglossum house 
50 feet long, and a Phalaenopsis house with a porch and division about 
30 feet long. The last-mentioned structure has during several weeks 
contained a remarkable display of flowers, and deserves a detailed 
description. 
A PAKADISE OF PHAE^NOPSIDS. 
The Moth Orchids, as the Phalaenopsids have been expressively desig¬ 
nated, surpass all their relatives in gracefulness, and though by no means 
tionate notes of exclamation, have undoubtedly been freely employed ; 
and, after all, words cannot do justice to such a scene, and we must have 
resort to the art of the engraver to convey an adequate idea of it. Thus, 
the woodcut (fig. 35) will aid me considerably in representing the 
attractions of this house. It is a small structure, and might almost be 
termed diminutive, span-roofed, about 20 feet long and 12 wide, the 
eaves very little above the ground level, and the path is below it. Upon 
each side is a stage covered with earth in which are growing abundant 
plants of the Silver-veined Fittonia (F. argyroneura) the metallic-foliaged 
Cyrtodeira fulgida, Panicum variegatum, and dense tufts of the Artillery 
Plant, Pilea muscosa, all growing luxuriantly. The roof is covered with 
a series of wires crossed diagonally, and from these are hung the Phake- 
nopses at various heights, so that their drooping and nodding panicles 
appear to fill every space. The plants are all m baskets from 3 to 6 inches 
square, sphagnum, charcoal, and potsherds being the compost employed 
to retain the necessary moisture about the stems, the roots growing 
strongly over the wood and in the air. Sufficient means of ventilation 
are provided both in the roof and at the sides of the house under the 
stages, and the last-named are left constantly open except when the wind 
