March G 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
181 
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Royal Society at 4.30 P.M. Linnean Society at 8 P.M. 
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2nd in Lent. 
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Royal Horticultural Society, Fruit and Floral Committees at 11 A.M. 
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Society of Arts at 8 P.M. 
OKCHIDS. 
HESE continue to make a steady yet vigorous 
progress in public favour, and commercially 
they now occupy a more important position in 
the horticultural world than they have ever 
reached in previous years. Sufficient evidence 
of this fact is afforded by the frequency of the 
sales both of imported and established plants, 
by the number of buyers which attend these 
gatherings, by the good prices still obtainable 
for rarities and fine varieties, and, even more satisfactorily, 
by the increasing interest shown by amateurs and the public 
generally respecting these wonderful and beautiful members 
of the vegetable kingdom. It is true that there are dis¬ 
advantages attending this advance in favour, and these 
have led some to designate it as “a craze” which must 
sooner or later die out, like the Tulipmania and similar 
speculative bubbles. But the evils in this case appear to be 
self-corrective, and will probably lead to the thorough 
establishment of Orchids amongst really indispensable plants. 
Orchid-producing regions in the Old and New Worlds are 
being ransacked for species of all kinds, tons upon tons are 
dispatched to this country, keeping the auctioneers constantly 
busy. If continued this must soon have an injurious effect, 
as the prices will decline rapidly, and growers, finding their 
plants steadily decreasing in value, will be prompted to 
dispose of them as quickly as possible. No doubt, however, 
the importers will soon perceive this, and discontinue, before 
it is too late, efforts calculated to injure their own trade. 
To obtain the best evidence of the advance Orchids are 
making we must not go into noblemen’s gardens or the 
leading gardening establishments, but seek in the suburbs of 
great cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham, the 
residences of our merchant princes. In the present day these 
gentlemen have done much for horticulture generally, and 
Orchids they seem to have now taken under their especial 
care. The result is that scores of wonderful collections have 
been formed and are continually increasing. Some of the 
most excellent examples of cultural skill can also be seen in 
these establishments, for in the majority an experienced man 
is employed to devote his whole time and attention to the 
Orchid collection, and, as with all special studies, the peculiar 
requirements of every species are thus ascertained and pro¬ 
vided for. As a rule, too, magnificent displays of flowers 
are produced at certain seasons of the year, as, with few 
exceptions, the most freely flowering species are grown in 
large numbers—Odontoglossum Alexandne, for instance, 
often by the thousand, and other popular species of the same 
genus in like proportion. Masdevallias furnish a wealth of 
colour, as also do the Dendrobes and handsome Cattleyas, 
while the rarer but often equally beautiful species add many 
attractions to the displays. As proofs of the popularity of 
these plants with wealthy commoners the following notes on 
three representative gardens are submitted, but many other 
similar establishments are to be found within a short radius 
No. 193.— Yol. VIII., Third Series, 
of London, notably at Selborne, Streatham; and Downside, 
Leatherhead, while they also abound in the neighbourhood of 
provincial towns. 
PERNS IDE. 
At Bickley, in Kent, there are two admirable examples of 
suburban collections of Orchids—one at Fernside, the residence 
of H. M. Pollett, Esq., and the other at Oldfield, the residence 
of F. A. Philbrick, Esq., Q.C. Both these are model establish¬ 
ments as regards the number and healthy condition of the 
Orchids grown there, as a few descriptive notes will indicate. 
Mr. Pollett’s houses are not large but excellently constructed, 
with a rather low roof and large glass, so that the plants 
have a free exposure to light. Ample means of ventilation 
is provided, of which full advantage is taken in fine weather 
-an important aid to the production of sturdy well-matured 
growth. Beneath the stages are open tanks kept filled with 
water, which not only affords a continual supply of moisture, 
but is also convenient for dipping the baskets or blocks in. 
The stages are covered with small pebbles that have a very 
clean appearance and retain a sweet moisture around the 
base of the pots. It is well known how important it is to 
protect Orchids from drip; and however well a house is 
glazed there is always much danger in this respect, as the 
condensed moisture runs from the glass to the sashbars, 
and thence falls on to the leaves or the flowers of the plant, 
doing irremediable injury. A very simple but efficient 
method of avoiding this is adopted at Fernside, and one 
which might be advantageously imitated in many other 
establishments. Strips of zinc about 1 inch wide have their 
edges turned up slightly, perhaps one-eighth of an inch, thus 
forming a kind of shallow trough; these are then secured 
to the sashbars by nails, and all the water which accumulates 
upon them runs down to the base of the roof and then 
into the tank below the stage without the slightest injury to 
any of the plants. It is in points such as these that so many 
valuable hints may be gained from specialists. 
Mr. Pollett’s collection of plants includes a fine stock of 
Cattleyas, among them being the now widely known, but 
not always appreciated, C. Percivaliana. There, however, it is 
represented by a variety with a superbly coloured lip, intensely 
rich crimson, and well developed. It is surprising what a 
number of varieties of this Orchid have already made their 
appearance, some being worthless, while others are exception¬ 
ally meritorious, as in the case of the variety named citrina 
recently shown at Kensington. Mr. Percival’s white variety 
also is pretty, but it appears to be wanting in substance. 
A fine display of C. Triame has been a feature at Fernside 
for some weeks past, C. Backhousiana, C. speciossisima (one 
variety with flowers 9 inches across), C. Skinneri, C. exoni- 
ensis, C. Mendeli, C. Mossite, and innumerable others, some 
in flower and all in most satisfactory health, with large stout 
leathery leaves and robust pseudo-bulbs, render this part of 
the collection a never-failing source of gratification to their 
enthusiastic possessor and his numerous visitors. 
One plant just now is remarkably handsome—namely, 
Zygopetalum crinitum roseum giganteum, rather a long 
title, but if merit is any excuse for a long name this Orchid 
well deserves it, for it is one of the most distinct of the genus. 
It was shown at Kensington last year and honoured with a 
certificate, and it is again in superb condition, bearing five 
spikes of about two dozen large flowers. In colour this is 
very distinct, the lip being almost of the Z. Mackayi size 
and shape, with bright rosy purple streaks. The foliage is 
strong and rich green, giving the plant a most striking 
appearance. Dendrobiums are largely grown, Cypripediums 
are represented by grand specimens, Vandas are in moderate 
numbers, but amongst them a good piece of the valuable 
V. Sanderiana. Numerous spikes of the creamy white 
Angrtecum citratum contribute to the beauty of the floral 
effect. It should be added that Odontoglossum Phalfenopsis 
and 0. vexillarium are extremely well grown in the house 
with the Cattleyas. They are in pans or shallow pots 
No. 1849 .—Vol. LXX., Old Series. 
