May 16, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER, 
423 
and virginalis are species which are late flowering, and also well 
worth growing.—R. P. Brotiierston. 
[Mr. Baylor Hartland has sent us a box of Tulips, which 
admirably confirm the remarks of our correspondent respecting the 
decorative value of these flowers. Some of the varieties named by 
Mr. Brotherston are included, with one or two others which we 
fail to identify.] 
Orchids at Sunningdale Park. 
About two years ago an opportunity was afforded of an 
inspection of this collection, and it proved so good and full of 
promise that it was recently revisited. The collection then showed 
excellent and discriminating choice of sorts, and also the presence 
of a master hand in Orchid culture. To-day, while it is still in its 
infancy, it comprises some rare plants, not alone as regards the 
number in commerce, but also from the point of view of excellent 
cultivation. For the improvements in the Sunningdale Orchids 
credit must be accorded to Major and Mrs. J. Joicey, their son, 
Mr. J. Joicey, and alio to the gardener, Mr. F. J. Thorne, who 
looks after them with such indefatigable and praiseworthy zeal. 
Numerically this collection can never attain to the standard of 
the Burford and The Dell collections as the accommodation is too 
limited, but this is not of particular consequence so long as the 
improvement in quality that has gone on during the past two 
years is maintained, as it must do while such an amount of interest 
is concentrated on it. Orchids alone cannot command the whole 
of Mr. Thorne’s attention and time, as it is incumbent on him to 
provide everything pertaining to the garden, but reference in this 
column can only be made to the Orchids, so the remainder has been 
relegated to a future issue. To particularise all the species and 
varieties would obviously be an impossibility, therefore a few only 
will be named as possessing some peculiar merit, either of colour, 
rarity, or cultivation. _ 
We will accompany Mr. Thorne in a hurried peregrination 
through the houses, and see what there is to be seen, and it is 
apparent from the confident manner in which he pilots you that 
he knows he has something worth showing. A plant of Odonto- 
glossum or Miltonia vexillarium in an 8-inch pot first attracts 
attention, but it is not until it is placed on the floor that its full 
merit is recognised. It is then seen to carry an enormous number 
of spikes, and counting reveals thirty-nine, each averaging seven 
blooms on a spike. What a picture it presents with its healthy 
growths and bright rose-hued flowers. Words could scarcely convey 
FIG. 70.— ODOKTOGLOSSUM CERVAKTESI DECORUM. 
the full beauty and the appreciation felt on beholding it, so grand, 
so magnificent; indeed, it is perfection, than which more cannot 
be said. There are numerous other plants of the same sort, not 
perhaps so large, but all in splendid health and carrying fine 
spikes of perfectly formed flowers. These alone are worth a long 
journey to see, and it is probable that one would have to travel 
a very long way before one could meet with such examples. 
Dendrobium atro-violaceum is rarely seen in such superb 
condition, and the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society did rightly in according to the Sunningdale plant a cultural 
commendation when it was staged at the Drill Hall a few weeks 
ago. The specimen is now, and has been for the past nine weeks, 
carrying three spikes of blooms, each admirably formed and 
beautifully coloured. The richness and form of the lip are perhaps 
the best features, though the size and evident health of the plant 
are matters of surprise to many growers who have cultivated it 
with scant success. The writer delicately hinted that this plant 
with the one particularly referred to in the preceding paragraph 
would be acceptable to him if Mr. Thorne had done with them, 
but received a look of astonishment at the presumption. And the 
plants—well, they stayed where they were. 
One of the best features here are the Cypripediums, of which 
there are numerous varieties of a very high order of merit 
Amongst these Mr. Thorne has made some very interesting crosses, 
and it i# hoped that the results will be sufficiently good to repfyr 
FIG. 71. — CyPRIPEDIUM GODEFROYA3 (?) LEUCOCHILUM. (.See p. 433.) 
him for his time and labour. Niveum is represented by superb 
form, while Exul in better character is seldom seen. Remarkably 
handsome is a very dark barbatum, as also are a number of varie¬ 
ties of villosum ; superciliare is perfectly at home, and caudatum 
has petals fully 30 inches in length. This is a grand flower, well 
worthy all the care and attention bestowed on it. Though these 
do not by any means represent all the Cypripediums grown, they 
must, with the bold and striking Elliottianum, suffice to permituif 
reference to other sections. 
As we make progress in our inspection we come to the Odonto- 
glossums, and amongst them find very many to admire. One plant 
from a cross between Pescatorei and crispum is now carrying two 
spikes, one of ten and the other of six blooms, each chastely beau¬ 
tiful in colouration and of splendid form. Equally noticeable are 
plants of luteo-purpureum, maculatum, cordatum, and numerpus 
others, all in the best of health and condition. Particular mention 
amongst so many handsome sorts may still be made of a superb 
form of Cervantesi decorum (fig. 70), which was perfectly formed 
and marked. There are some hundreds of Odontoglossuras of 
various species and varieties, all in the best possible state of health. 
Oncidiums, too, are a grand sight, the immense spikes of brightly 
hued flowers denoting health and strength. Perhaps the best of 
all was ampliatum ; though numerous, others were very fine. 
Cattleyas are not at present carrying many flowers, but the stock 
is composed of some of the best sorts extant. A grand variety of 
Skinneri attracted attention, as also did a superb plant of Gymbi- 
dium Lowi, while a very pale form of Vanda teres elicited much 
admiration. The upper sepal is very pale rosy white, the lowe.'- 
sepals almost pure white, and petals blush. 
