452 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
M y 23, 1896. 
Cattleya Mendeli Princess of Wales. 
Amongst the charming Orchids staged at the Drill Hall on the 
14th iast. none attracted more attention than Cattleya Mendeli 
Princess of Wales (fig. 77) exhibited by Mr. De Barri Crawshay, 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks. The flower was exceedingly handsome, 
with broad, rosy, white petals, and narrow sepals of the same 
colour. The lip was heavily fimbriated, and of magnificent 
form. The outer portion was intensely rich purplish maroon, 
the throat being clear yellow veined with crimson. The Orchid 
Committee accorded an award of merit to this variety. 
FIG. 7G.— CYPRIPEDIUM CHAMBEELAINIANUM, 
Orchids at Chelsea. 
The annual exhibition of Orchids, which has been such a 
feature of Mr. W. B ill’s establishment for so many years, is now 
on view. 'Ih s season is no exception to the rule of high quality 
that has become so general here, and in a future issue we shall 
give a more lengthened notice. In the meantime visitors to 
London are recommended to make a journey to Chthea, as we are 
confilent they will be well repaid for the time and trouble. 
The Dell. 
When one thinks of Orchids, and especially Odontoglossums, 
on-j’s mind instinctively becomes occupied with the name of Baron 
Scbroder, than whom no amateur has a better or more complete 
selection. In its formation money has been brought to bear, 
as also has knowledge, which is of equal importance, for without 
i”/ money will most likely be absolutely thrown away in buying 
O chid<, and this with very little trouble. These two requisites 
have been and are still being found by the Baron and his efficient 
gardener Mr. H. Ballantine. 
It is no superficial interest that the owner takes in this superb 
collection, for his acquaintance with it may be termed little 
short of remarkable, conversant as he is with every plant and every 
flower. Considering that twenty-two structures do not afford any 
too much accommodation for these denizens of other climes, it will 
be acknowledged that in saying “ remarkable" there is not the 
least exaggeration. These houses are all beautifully built, and kept 
scrupulously clean throughout. Each pot, each stage, each rafter, 
each pane of glass, is in the best of condition, and shows the un¬ 
remitting attention and care that are devoted to them. Another 
notable point is that each plant is properly and legibly labelled, 
and every possible precaution taken to preserve correct nomenclature, 
an example that might well be followed in establishments where 
plants other than Orchids are accorded a primary position. 
Perhaps if this collection is celebrated more for one section 
than another it is for the Odontoglossum crispum. Comprising 
this are probably all the best varieties in cultivation, and many 
to be seen here cannot be found elsewhere, at any rate in 
England. Hundreds, nay thousands, of pounds probably 
would not purchase many of these. The colours are 
extremely varied, as also is the form and substance ; but 
almost, if not all, may be said to possess one or more 
points of more than ordinary merit. Here the form is 
the point, there the colour, and yonder, again, the sub¬ 
stance. But no matter what may be the merits, each 
receives the same cultivation, and this is of the very best, 
all being done to insure success that intelligent thought 
cm devise or money purchase. 
From amidst such a plethora of splendid flowers ifc 
seems an overwhelming task to make a selection ; but 
such is in reality not the case, as some stand so very 
much in advance of the others, good though all the latter 
undoubtedly are. The chief difficulty lies in the decision 
as to which section shall be accorded the premier position, 
taking it in this instance as the place of honour, and fol¬ 
lowing with others as noted and not in any particular 
order of merit. Many kinds, too, are not now in flower, 
and these notes must therefore be taken as representative 
of the flowering section at the present time, and not of 
the collection as a whole. An opportunity may arise of 
seeing these Orchids at another season, when doubtless 
numbers of others will be found worthy of note. 
Surely no one will object if we put the Odontoglossum 
crispum at the head of the list, for of these the selection 
is well nigh, if not quite, perfect. First of all we must 
mention O. c. apiatum, probably the finest spotted variety 
in cultivation. The form, substance, and colouration of 
the blooms are superb, and the same may well be said of the 
spike. 0. c. Lowianum is of a very much smaller size, but 
of a beautiful colour, and may yet improve. Another 
pleasing variety of this section is xauthotes, which has occa¬ 
sional yellow spots on a creamy white ground. Others there 
are all good, and worthy of mention, but which must be 
excluded on account of the scarcity of space and adjectives, 
both absolutely essential in dealing with these Orchids. 
But the Odontoglossums cannot be quite so briefly dis¬ 
missed, as there are many of other than the crispum section 
of singular beauty. A grand form of luteo-purpureum 
attracted much attention, as also did Wilckeanum. Such 
Odontoglots as coronarium, ramosissimum, cirrhosum, and 
excellens are well known and deservedly highly appreciated. With 
these we must leave the section, and pass on to others that if not 
quite so perfect are still worthy of the best possible attention. All 
these plants, it may be mentioned, are in the most excellent health. 
Let us now glance at the Cypripediums, which it is perhaps 
superfluous to say are extensively represented by all the best 
varieties and hybrids in cultivation. Prominent here is C. Lawrence- 
anum Hyeanum, with its green and white flowers of grand shape, 
and which compel admiration. Then we have the charming 
bellatulums, the superb Stonei, the beautiful laevigatum, and the 
popular Liwrenceanum. Beyond these may be noticed a handsome 
flower of C. Cbamberlainianum, a variety that varies greatly in 
the twisting of the petals, and a good form, of which is pourtrayed 
in the woodcut (fiii. 76). In addition to these macrochilum, 
grande, Schro lerse, Mastersianum, and calanthum were all con- 
spicuous for some good point or other, in one perhaps of colour, 
and another of form. Though not in flower, some splendid plants 
of Stonei platyfrenium are well worthy of a line as denoting such 
1 eilth as makes good blooms a certainty. 
