JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
April 19, 1883. ] 
finest plants and in the best condition of any that have yet 
arrived in this country. This firm, which taking it in all its 
branches is the largest in the world, is, if possible, stronger than 
ever, and the head quarters have never been seen in better 
condition than during the present month. 
ME. BULL’S NURSERY. 
The energetic proprietor of this establishment, which has 
attained such a high position in the horticultural world, also 
refrains from competing at Ghent. He is a donor of prizes there, 
321 
and not only so, but in the aggregate the most valuable of all 
that were offered for competion at the Show in question. But he 
has won his spurs at previous gatherings. If we remember rightly 
Mr. Bull first competed in Belgium in 1876, at the Brussels Cen¬ 
tennial : and it is to be hoped he was satisfied, for he received the 
large gold medal for the scientific and general merit of his collec¬ 
tions : large gold medals for six, also for three new plants ; and 
four large silver-gilt medals, also a silver in other classes—not a 
bad beginning. Then at the Ghent Quinquennial in 1878 he 
exhibited in ten classes, winning five gold, four silver-gilt, and 
Fig. 77.— Odontoglossum gloriosum var. ncruM. 
one silver medal—not a bad ending. Mr. Bull thus also has 
earned repose. His new nursery is now almost startling by its 
contents, especially Orchids in superb condition. House after 
house is crowded with them, and the display of flowers is as 
charming as it is extensive. Many fine varieties of Odonto¬ 
glossum Alexandras arrest notice, one of a distinct violet hue 
being particularly commanding. 0. Buckerianum is very distinct 
and beautiful, and a grand variety of 0. gloriosum is of extra¬ 
ordinary merit, as may be seen by the woodcut (fig. 77). A batch 
of the pure white Coelogyne cristata alba, a glowing mass of Ada 
aurantiaca, and rich Masdevallias contribute effectively to the 
general display. Cypripedium Warneri is as free as it is beau¬ 
tiful, small plants in 4-inch pots bearing several handsome flowers. 
Sarracenias, too, cannot be overlooked. But amidst all the flowers 
visitors pause to admire the wonderful vigour of a houseful of 
Odontoglossum vexillarium, which are growing as freely as German 
Irises—quite an unique and unequalled collection of this fine 
Orchid. A very large and lofty three-quarter-span new house 
contains an unusually fine display of Vandas, and these with 
Cattleyas, Sobralias, and numerous others are so healthy that it is 
impossible not to recognise the value of 3-inch hot-water pipes 
taken along the sills close to the glass, in addition to those below, 
thus securing an equable temperature that renders the house 
extremely pleasant. The roof-heating was particularly advan- 
