JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ July 17, 1884. 
the’,throat. It had an almost dazzling effect in the bright noon¬ 
day light, and viewed from a few yards distance it seemed a 
mass of colour. An idea may be gained of the finely pro¬ 
portioned lip and the general contour of the flower from that 
represented of its full size in fig. lO, page 57. It is beyond all 
question a grand Orchid, and well merits all that has been 
recently said in its favour. 
The principal features of the collection of Oattleyas have 
been brieHy pointed out, and reference to the other portion of 
the plants must be reserved for the present. It may, however, 
be added that Mr. Percival’s object has been throughout, with 
the aid of his gardener Mr. Beddoes, to simplify as much as 
possible the culture of Orchids. He was not content to take a 
that abundance of water, liberal ventilation, a thorough ripening 
by exposure to the sun, and a well-defined period of rest without 
resort to the excessive drying system, are the chief points to 
ensure success, and the adoption of the practice has proved the 
correctness of his ideas in the astonishing vigorous growth and 
free flowering of the plants subjected to it.—L ewis Castle. 
A VISIT TO BELGIUM. 
MR. VAN HOUTTE’S NURSERY. 
As stated in my last paper the glass department in this nursery is very 
extensive. The first house I entered was one of a series recently erected 
for Orchid-growing. This is a large span-roofed structure, and is built 
Fig. 9.—Mr. Peecival’s Cattleya Sandeeiana. 
series of stereotyped rules as to temperatures and other matters, 
but sought to ascertain for himself what are the particular 
requirements of each genus or species. To aid in this he has 
with great labour and research obtained in every possible case 
the precise conditions under which the plants flourish in their 
native habitats, and this has in many cases furnished him with 
clues to the culture of species that have been found rather 
difficult to grow satisfactorily, and which he has employed to the 
best advantage. It is regretable that collectors as a rule supply 
so few particulars to assist cultivators, and in this respect the 
trade collectors of the present day are far less useful than those 
of twenty or thirty years ago, though many facts might be given 
of inestimable value that could not afford their rivals any 
assistance. AVith regard to Oattleyas Mr. Percival considers 
without side-lights, somewhat similarly to the way Pine and Melon pits 
are built in England. There are side and middle stages, and these as 
near to the glass as possible, so as to give the plants the full benefit of 
light and air. M. Van Eechaute, the experienced manager, has adopted 
a very novel but rational method of ventilating the lower portion of the 
roof. The squares in the lowest row of glass are not “ bedded in ” putty, 
but work in grooves, and can be taken out or will slide down at will ; 
thus air can be admitted to such individual plants as require plenty with¬ 
out injury to those that do not require so much. 
M. Van Eechaute does not believe in high and close temperatures for 
growing Orchids. Abundance of air when the external temperature is 
high is his practice, and using as little fire heat as possible. The plants 
certainly testify to the soundness of his practice, for healthier or more 
robust examples we have never seen. There are some large specimens of 
choice Oattleyas in this house, many of which were in flower at the time 
