May 31, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
423 
which are each about an inch across, white, spotted and streaked 
with brown and yellow. As the name implies this Oncidium has 
only four petals, the two lower sepals being united. It does best 
in very small pans suspended from the roof in the Cattleya house. 
Cattleya Mossi^. 
Many of our most useful decorative Orchids are fortunately 
also cheap, and this fine old Cattleya may be mentioned as an 
instance. In its best forms it is equal to any for size, as the 
following measurements of a flower I have before me will, I think, 
prove :—From the end of the top sepal to the margin of the lip is 
exactly 8j inches ; measured across, over the petals, 9 inches ; these 
latter are 3 inches wide, the labellum inches. The plant from 
which the flower was cut is a large one, with over twenty blooms 
open on it. I placed several plants of this Cattleya in a cool house 
last winter, together with others of the labiata section, but the 
difference between these, and others kept in a temperature as 
near 50° as possible, is so marked that the experiment will not be 
repeated. When a sufficient number of plants are grown the 
blossoms of C. Mossiae may be had from early in April until 
August, and the individual flowers usually last in good condition 
for about three weeks. 
CYCNOCIIES CHEOEOCIIILON. 
The Swan Orchids, as the Cycnoches are frequently called, are 
interesting on account of the peculiar and graceful appearance of 
the column, which is curved and somewhat resembles the neck of a 
swan. C. chlorochilon is the most easily grown in the genus, and 
probably the best known. The culture of this species is not 
difficult. It requires an abundance of heat and moisture while 
growing and a good rest in a dry atmosphere. For compost good 
turfy loam and peat in about equal proportions, with a little 
chopped sphagnum and crock dust, will answer perfectly. A light 
position should be given the plants. See that no water drops into 
the hearts of the young growths, sprinkling, on this account, being 
dangerous. Spring is the most suitable time to repot Cycnoches, 
and after repotting treat as advised for deciduous Calanthes.— 
H. R. R. 
Notes and Comments. 
“ A GRAND display.” Thus remarked a well-known orchidist to 
the writer whilst viewing the magnificent spectacle made by these 
floral gems at the Temple Show last week. It was truly “ a grand 
display,” and, considering the cold weather which prevailed for 
several days prior to the opening of the exhibition, surpassed the 
expectations of the most sanguine enthusiasts. But, then one 
has become accustomed to see Orchids at their best on this occa¬ 
sion, and it would have been disappointing if it had been otherwise. 
It has developed into a rule—to be retained it is hoped with more 
or less variations. 
As mentioned in your report most of the noted growers were 
represented, some of these having collections of exceedingly 
choice species and varieties. It was remarked that, so far as 
quality was concerned, the Orchids this year excelled those shown 
at previous exhibitions, and, after a very critical inspection, my 
opinion lays in that direction. Collectively the plants were per¬ 
haps no better, but some of the groups contained not only 
remarkable novelties, but almost priceless floral treasures. These 
naturally added interest to the display, and would have proved 
doubly interesting to the numerous visitors had they been aware 
of tbe enormous sum of money that the Orchids represented. To 
the general observer, however, this is a matter of no importance— 
unless he perchance takes a fancy to a certain plant, and inquires 
its value. 
This, to my knowledge, occurred more than once last week. 
Like many more, an amateur orchidist, whose name it is not 
necessary to mention, lingered over a striking Cypripedium, 
exhibited by a well-known firm, admiring the novel and beautiful 
flower. Knowing a little about the cost of plants he ventured to 
ask its value of an attendant. The reply came as a startler, “ 300 
guineas.” This was sufficient to take away the breath of one 
whose purse is limited, but on reflection it was remembered that 
much higher prices have been paid for choice Orchids, in which 
category the Cjpripedium under notice deserves a high place. It 
is, undoubtedly, one of the most interesting and valuable forms in 
cultivation. To show how highly the owners prize it, I may men¬ 
tion that on the evening of the first day of the Show the plant 
was taken from London to its home many miles away for the 
night, and brought to the exhibition again in the morning. On 
Thursday night it was returned to its home, where, to the dis¬ 
appointment of Friday visitors to the Show, it was presumably 
thought advisable to keep it. 
“ Can you give me a rough estimate of the value of the Orchids 
exhibited in this tent ? ” ob^served a visitor to a representative of 
a firm whose name is known to every enthusiast. “ It is impossible 
to speak for others,” he replied ; adding, “ but so far as we are con¬ 
cerned I can give you an idea as to the approximate value of our 
Orchids here. We are exhibiting 500 plants, all choice kinds, and 
taking the whole you can average them at 30 guineas each.” This 
means a sum of upwards of £15,000—a large amount for a group 
of plants. “In that group, though, there are many rare forms 
worth thousands of pounds,” continued my informant, at the same 
time pointing to Baron Schroder’s collection. This observation 
induced me to move towards “that group” for the purpose of 
inspecting these valuable plants. 
There was no doubt about the accuracy of the remark above 
quoted. A superficial glance showed that the best and most costly 
Orchids had been brought from The Dell, Egham, and those who 
observed closely saw many rare treasures. Odontoglossums were. 
particularly fine, these including some beautiful forms. Amongst 
others the charming O. crispum Rex was very conspicuous by 
reason of its richly marked flowers. These are large in size, and 
the sepals and petals are characterised by a white margin, and a 
clear chocolate coloured blotch in the centre of each. O. crispum 
Excelsior was another unusually fine form exhibited on this 
occasion, the flowers being well marked with rich brown. The 
same remark applies to O. c. Wolstenholmise, which like those 
already mentioned was considered worthy of a first-class certificate. 
A magnificent variety of O. Andersonianum, correctly named 
superbum, was likewise noticeable in this group. It had a spike 
bearing thirteen large and richly marked flowers. 0. triumphans. 
The Dell variety, which is a distinct form with white at the bases 
of the petals, and O. exceJlens, carrying twenty-five flowers on one 
spike, were also well represented. Another of Baron Schroder’s 
choice Orchids is 0. crispum nobilius, illustrated (fig. G9), on page 
430 of this issue. _ 
Standing, as it deserved to do, on a high pedestal, the splendid 
plant of Coelogyne Dayana was probably noticed by all visitors to 
the Show. This plant bore twenty-four racemes, these carrying 
something like 930 flowers. Last year this same specimen, I 
believe, was exhibited, and it then had twenty racemes, which 
