603 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 4, 1884. 
specios to the same level as Pelargoniums. They have been represented 
as so difficult of cultivation that only the favoured few, with every 
appliance at their command, cou’d expect to obtain success with them ; 
yet intelligent cultivators like Dr. Paterson have done much to dispel this 
notion and increase the number of Orchid growers by proving that Orchids 
can, with a judicious and consistent course of treatment, be cultivated in 
ordinary houses with ordinary care, and above all in moderate tempera¬ 
tures. This last is a most important matter, and deserves every attention, 
for if there is one matter connected with Orchids which is calculated to 
bring them into disfavour it is the high temperatures and steaming atmo- 
sphe 'es hitherto considered indispensable to the well-being of tropical 
species generally. There is a peculiar delicacy and grace in most Orchid 
flowers, often combined with a singularity of form which occasionally 
becomes grotesque, that must gain admirers, or at least interested observers, 
but when the contemplation of these floral wonders is attended by the 
great personal discomfort occasioned by even a short visit to a highly 
heated stove, it is not surprising that the Orchids supposed to require such 
treatment should lose favour. So it is that Odontoglossums, Masdevallias, 
and others which can be grown in a cool house have advanced so rapidly 
in popularity of recent years. Dr. Paterson, however, as an enthusiastic 
Orchid lover, was unwilling to see so many of his most beautiful favourites 
fall into neglect, and consequently determined to adopt a different method 
of treatment from that usually accorded tropical Orchids, and with lower 
temperatures and more abundant ventilation, to render their cultivation 
more enjoyable to amateurs like himself. In this he has been remarkably 
successful, and has by that means probably done more to extend Orchid 
culture in Scotland than any other gentleman in recent years. 
The houses, of which there are three in one range and another separate, 
are span-roofed with side and central stages, except the Odontoglossum 
house, which has side stages, and one small intermediate house, which 
is similarly constructed. The range of three houses is devoted to the 
tropical Orchids, such as Vandas, Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Cypripediums, 
Aerides, Saccolabiums, &c. There is a fair amount of piping, but not 
nearly so much as is customary in such houses. Abundant means of 
ventilation, both below the stages and in the roof, is provided, the floor 
being of earth, and kept clear under the stages to prevent slugs and 
injurious insects harbouring. A constant moisture is kept upon the stages 
and the floor, but the plants are only occasionally syringed, as with due 
care in keeping the foliage clean and free from insects this is not needed 
so frequently and abundantly as is sometimes practised. The most im¬ 
portant part of the Patersonian system of culture is, however, the liberal 
ventilation, and unquestionably I have never seen Orchid houses so freely 
ventilated as those at Fernfield. The rule adopted is, that whenever the 
outside temperature rises above 50°, and provided the wind is not too high 
or keen, it is safe to commence ventilation, increasing it as the external 
temperature rises until from G0° to 70°, the ventilators and doors are open 
wile, providing a current of air throughout the range. This might be 
considered dangerous practice, but the condition of the plants is a con¬ 
clusive proof to the contrary, at least as regards the favoured Biidge of 
Allan. I have seen most of the best collections of Orchids in England, 
but I have never seen any to equal the Fernfield plants in healthy, hard, 
and leather-like foliage, which it would seem almost impossible to injure. 
There is no tender succulent growth such as that produced by plants in 
excessively heated close atmospheres, and which is susceptible to the 
slightest injury, but a solid well-developed growth, which is almost as 
pleasing to the true plant lover as the flowers such plants are bound to 
produce. Dy consistently following this practice, and by a constant 
close supervision, the worthy doctor has obtained a collection of plants 
of which he has every reason to be proud, and which no visitor interested 
in Orchids can see without admiration. 
It may be said that Bridge of Allan is exceptionally favoured in 
climatal conditions, and this to a great extent is true. The little town 
lies snugly at the foot of the lofty Ochil range, which is aa effectual 
barrier to the north and north-east winds ; it is fully open to the south, 
and is thus what it has been aptly termed, “a suntrap.” It is the Vent- 
nor of Scotland without the sea. Admitting all the«e advantages to the 
fullest extent, yet a bold and commendable system of culture has been 
adopted which many growers in the south of England would be afraid 
to practise, though undoubtedly there are numerous districts where during 
the greater portion of the year the most liberal ventilation might be 
followed without the slightest danger. In cold exposed localities it 
obviously would not be safe, but even there a judicious increase in the 
ventilation would often be beneficial. 
That the plants flower abundantly may be taken for granted—such 
vigorous specimens could not do otherwise ; but the best evidence of 
their floriferousness and the constant supply of flowers was shown by the 
handsome bouquet presented by Dr. Paterson to the Princess of Wales at 
the Edinburgh Forestry Exhibition in August last. In this the species 
and varieties represented were as follows, and in few gardens could so 
large a collection be cut at the end of August, when Orchid flowers are 
usually scarce :—Vanda tricolor Patersoni; Vanda teres Andersonii ; 
Cattleya Leopold! variety guttata; Brassia maculata guttata; Miltonia 
spectabilis; Odontoglossum Alexandra, and O. Uro-Skinneri; Odonto¬ 
glossum tripudians, and vexillarium ; Odontoglossum Rossii, and Rossii 
majus ; Odontoglossum Lindleyanum and Pescatorei; Disa grandiflora 
superha ; Masdevallia Davisii, Veitchi, and amabilis ; Masdevallia macu¬ 
lata aurea, ochthodes, and Lindeni ; Angrjecum eburneum ; Aerides 
Reichenbachi, and quinquevulnerum ; Cypripedium barbatum, javani- 
cum, and Sedenii; Cypridedium longifolium,'Harrisianum, and Roezli ; 
Dendrobium chrysanthum ; Stenia fimbriata ; Maxillaria grandiflora, 
d venusta ; Dendrochilum filiforme ; Epidendrum vitellinum, ard 
vitellinum majus ; Epidendrum prismalocarpum, and cinnabarinum ; 
Phalcenopsis Luddemanniana ; Saccolabium Blumei majus, and gemma- 
turn ; Oncidium Weltonii, and linguasforme ; Oncidium Harrisonianuin ; 
and Mesospinidium sanguineum, and vulvanicum. Forty-seven species 
and varieties were represented in this right royal bouquet, but several 
others of a similar character have previously been presented to Her 
Majesty by Dr. Paterson, each of which has received the admiration it so 
well deserved. 
At the time of my visit there were several fine varieties of Odonto¬ 
glossum Alexandrse flowering, but one plant was just expanding a 
branched spike, or rather panicle, of an unusual character, which has since 
fully developed, and an engraving prepared from a photograph of the 
plant is shown in tig. 86. This had between fifty and sixty blooms ex¬ 
panded at one time, and the appearance of such a grand inflorescence can 
be readily imagined, the blooms being of great size. Several other varie¬ 
ties with broad rounded petals, pure white and more or less coloured, are 
included in the collection, together with some handsome Masdevallias. 
Numerous plants of Nerine Fothergilli and other species are grown with 
the Odontoglossums, and their bright scarlet flowers have a beautiful 
effect in contrast with the purity of the Orchids named. These Nerints 
are excellent plants for such positions, and another great orchidist, Baron 
Schroder of Egham, is equally partial to them tor arranging with Odonto¬ 
glossums. One remarkable Orchid was flowering in September—namely, 
Stenia fimbriata, which deserves notice, not for its beauty but for its 
peculiarity. It is a Columbian species, and was introduced about sixteen 
years ago. The flowers are small, with a peculiarly fringed lip, and a 
stranged combination of yellow and purple tints with white. Dr. Paterson 
fancies he has been able to detect in this flower a marked resemblance^ to 
thef.aceof Mephistopheles ; but his acuteness of observation or of imagination 
must be greater than my own, for after a careful examination of the 
flower I have been unable to see any resemblance to the individual named, 
at least as he is usually depicted. Another noteworthy plant is a remark¬ 
ably fine variety of Miltonia Morelliana, named atro-rubens, which is 
exceedingly dark in colour—the finest I have seen, and good forms of this 
Orchid are by no means too abundant. As examples of the strong growth 
of the Fernfield Orchids we have lately received a spike of Cymbidium 
giganteum nearly 2 feet in length, and bearing about two dozen blooms, 
and a large panicle of Oncidium varicosum (?) with three dozen fine flowers. 
Many others of a similar character could be named to show that the 
results of the cool and hardy treatment are in every way satisfactory. 
Though Orchids are the great feature at Fernfield, there are several 
other specialities, amongst which the Rhododendron may be mentioned, as 
a good collection is being formed of these plants, and new quarters are 
being prepared for them. Ornamental Conifers of the Retinospora type are 
also great favourites with Dr. Paterson, who is familiarly acquainted with 
most of the best collections of trees in the district, particularly those in 
the gardens at Keir, many of which he has watched in their progress from 
saplings to giants with the greatest interest. In all respects he is a true 
lover of gardening, according a hearty welcome all who are similarly in¬ 
terested ; and it only remains for me, in concluding these jottings, to express 
my earnest thanks for his courtesy and hospitality, which served to render 
my stay in Bridge of Allan one of the most pleasant of many agreeable 
memories of Scotland.— Lewis Castle. 
NATIONAL AURICULA (SOUTHERN SECTION) CARNATION 
AND^PICOTEE SOCIETIES. 
A GENEBAL meeting of the above Societies will he held December 9th in 
the Conservatory of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, at 
1.30 P.M. The principal business will be the consideration of the report of 
Sub-Committee appointed by resolution of October 14th, for the preparation 
of rules for the government of the Societies, and the arrangement of the 
schedules for the exhibitions for 1885. 
The following rough draft of the proposed rules for these Societies has 
been submitted to us :— 
I. —That this Society be called the National Carnation and Picotee 
Society (Southern Section), &c. 
II. —The officers of the Society shall consist of President, Vice-President, 
Treasurer, two Auditors, and one Secretary; the Committee of Management 
shall consist of twelve members, elected at a general meeting in the month 
of December in each year, six of whom shall form a quorum for the trans¬ 
action of business. The several officers, six in number, as specified in this 
rule, to be ex officio members of the Committee. 
III. —In the month of December of each year, the date to be fixed by the 
Committee, a general meeting shall be held for the election of officers and 
the Committee, receiving the Treasurer’s report, the election of Judges for 
the ensuing year, and such other business as in the opinion of the retiring 
Committee shall proper^ pertain to the annual general meeting. 
IV. —Any proposal to alter the rules must be made in writing, and signed 
by two members, and a copy thereof placed in the hands of the Secretary 
on or before the 10th of November, and such proposal shall be considered at 
the next annual meeting. 
V. —The subscription of members shall be at their own discretion, and 
the Committee will apportion the tickets agreeably to the rate of the sub¬ 
scription in every case. Exhibitors will be provided with passes on the 
morning of the exhibition. 
VI. —The Treasurer shall give a receipt for all subscriptions on a printed 
form, and shall sign all cheqires for the payment of moneys, and at the 
general meeting in December shall submit his accounts to the Auditors. 
VII. —Committee meetings shall be held within one month previous to 
the date of the Society’s exhibition, and on the date of the annual general 
meeting, and at such other times at may appear desirable ; the Committee 
alone shall determine the times of meetings other than those provided for 
by this rule. 
