454 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
May 25,1895. 
Spathoglottii Kimballiana, which is very bright yellow iu colour. 
A specimen of Sobralia xantholeaca throwing up a perfect forest 
of growths is said to be the largest known, while another of 
S. macrantha is but little less in size. 
The Phalaenopsis, though not now in flower, are in the best of 
condition, and full of promise for future beauty. More curious 
than pretty is Marmodes Medusae, but Trichopilia suavis alba is 
really charming. With Saccolabium ampullaceum we must con¬ 
clude our notes. Again let us express the hope that an opportunity 
will arise for The Dell to be revisited, when it cannot be doubted 
that “ The Baron ” and his genial gardener, Mr. Ballantine, will 
have done their best to keep this collection in the unique position 
that it at present occupies amongst Orchids. 
Burford LooaE. 
Everyone interested in Orchids, even to the smallest degree, 
will have heard of Burford Lodge and its genial owner. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., to whom the Royal Horticultural Society, of 
which the Baronet is the energetic President, and Orchid growers 
generally owe so much. There is rarely a meeting passes at the 
Drill Hall at which Sir Trevor may not be seen, and Temple show 
time usually finds him at his busiest in earnest endeavours to make 
everything a success. This interest in the society is most praise¬ 
worthy, and it is to be hoped that the R.H.S. will long have the 
benefit of it. 
Nestling under the side of a hill clothed with trees Burford 
Lodge is naturally an ideally situated estate, and well worthy of 
the attention that is bestowed on it by Mr. W. Bain, the head 
gardener. Though the visit was to see the Orchids, the opportunity 
was taken of a glance at the outdoor flowers and also at the glass 
department, and all was found in a very creditable state. Amongst 
the plants were noticed many of which may be termed botanical 
curiosities, and are very rarely to be seen in general culti¬ 
vation in private establishments. Curiously enough the only fruits 
grown under glass are Peaches, Nectarines, and Strawberries, and 
the fine condition of these testify to the ability of the grower. 
Entirely distinct is the department devoted to the Orchids, and 
it may be said that these occupy a very large proportion of the 
glass houses on the place. Here Mr. White reigns supreme, having 
the complete charge. On our arrival we found him busily engaged 
preparing plants for the Temple show, and many readers of the 
Journal of Horticulture will, ere now, have seen the splendid group 
he staged, and which so well upheld the name of Burford Lodge 
and his own as a first-class cultivator. Apparently he was relieved 
when he learned that the visit was to be a brief one, as it 
was evident he was anxious to return to his work. Not that 
there was any hurry ; on the contrary, no one could have been 
more courteous and attentive than was Mr. White in giving all 
the information in his power. When the time for departure 
arrived we left with a feeling of regret that the stay could not 
have been longer, but brightened by our conductor’s invitation to 
repeat the visit any time we liked. This was good, and we shall 
take him at his word. 
As we found Mr. White so busy amongst the Masdevallias we 
cannot do better than give them first attention, especially as they 
occupy the leading page of some almost unreadable notes. Though 
the latter are bad the plants are good, and occupying as they do a 
little lean-to structure to themselves make a surprisingly bright 
and pleasing show. The freedom with which they flower, com¬ 
bined as it is with strong growth, is exceptional, as it frequently 
occurs that strong plants produce very few flowers. Here, how¬ 
ever, the attention and culture are so good that the plants leave 
little to be desired. The varieties are extremely numerous, and 
include the rare Shuttleworthi, the charming lutea oculata, the 
peculiar shaped conchiflora, besides miniata with its scarlet flowers, 
the well-known Veitchi fragrans with its sweetly perfumed flowers, 
and the hybrid Mundyana. But enough of these. We must 
pass on. _ 
Turning to the Slipper Orchids, we must place Cypripedium 
Stonei platytsenium in the premier position, for undoubtedly it is 
well worthy of the honour. The Burford Lodge plant is splendid 
indeed, and carrying flowers the superior of which we have never 
seen. Close by we see Stonei, with which the preceding was 
imported, and the difference is as marked as it well can be. Passing 
on we stand shortly before what is probably the finest specimen of 
C. grande in the kingdom. Owing to the freedom of the growths 
we could not measure the pot, but it was evidently well over 
27 inches in diameter. This big receptacle was placed on a 
revolving pivot so that the plant could be readily turned to allow 
of all aides being readily approached. Hookerce volonteanum, 
Swansianum superbum, tonsum, Lawrebel, and Elliottianum were 
also seen in our perambulation. 
Dendrobiums are here seen in splendid condition and also in 
goodly numbers, many varieties, of course, not now being in bloom. 
Still, several remained that were worthy of note. Of these 
D. Jamesianum, a well known and highly esteemed variety, 
D. Parishi, and D. secundum album may be mentioned. Before 
turning to other flowers a word of mention must in 
justice be accorded to the winter-flowering section of the 
Calanthes. The plants of these have recently been potted, 
and the strong growths that are now pushing denote the 
splendid health of the plants, and give ample promise 
of an abundance of flowers in the proper season. 
Now to the Odontoglossums, which have a home 
indeed at Burford, that is if strong growths, leathery 
leaves, and handsome spikes may be taken as a criterion, 
and certainly we do not see what more need be desired. 
Particularly beautiful are several plants and forms of 
citrosmum, of which the range of colouration is very 
wide, the flowers and spikes being of good size. Several 
forms of 0. crispum are grown, and, what is more, 
thoroughly well. One of the best Odontoglots, and 
which attracted a great amount of attention a short time 
back when exhibited by Sir Trevor, is O. Ruckerianum 
splendens (fig. 79, page 455), which, as may be seen, is a 
charmingly spotted form. Andersonianum is also very 
fine, and the same may safely be said of maculatum, 
Pescatorei, Halli, and polyxanthum. In the Odonto- 
glossum (Miltonia) vexillarium sections there are a 
good number of plants, all looking remarkably well, 
and many carrying good spikes of bloom. 
Of course Cattleyas are very extensively grown, and 
comprise all the best forms procurable in the various 
sections. C. gigas, though not in bloom, are in the best of 
condition. Mendeli are now in grand form, and many cannot 
fail to attract attention and elicit admiration, and to 0. Mossiae 
these remarks are equally as applicable. Worthy of special note 
are the C. Lawrenceana, of which some superb flowers were 
noticeable. The colour and form of many of these were alike 
particularly good. It is unfortunate that more space cannot now 
be devoted to these Cattleyas, they being so well worthy of more 
extended attention ; but it cannot be helped, so we must dispose 
of them in this curt manner for the present at least. 
A richly coloured variety of Lcelia purpurata, justly named 
nobilior, next claims notice and laudatory expression, for its 
flowers are amongst the finest we have sten. This form is also 
represented with other varieties of merit, but these cannot have 
individual attention. Yery charming is the rose-hued form of 
L. majalis, while the Lselio Cattleya tribe is well shown in 
Phoebe. Aerides Fieldingi and Kimballiana with Phaius Sander- 
ianus each give strength and variety to the collection already so 
complete in its diversified beauty. 
