384 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 2, 1903. 
and Sophrocattleya chamberlainiana triumphans (C. Harri- 
soniae x Sophronitis grandiflora). 
We merely give the above as a sample of the complicated 
alliances that have been effected in the Orchid houses at High¬ 
bury, and the results have been highly satisfactory, judging 
from the names that have been given them. Owners of 
Orchids seldom attach their names to them unless they are 
really choice and good. They are mostly grown in pans sus¬ 
pended from the roof of the house, so that they have the ad¬ 
vantages of light, and are seldom in harm’s way from snails 
and other vermin that might frequently be present if the young 
plants were stood on benches of ashes. 
The cool Odontoglossum house is situated on a northern 
aspect, and therefore always keeps very cool. Odontoglos- 
sums in flower at present include beautiful varieties of 0. Pes- 
catorei, 0. triumphans, 0. Edwardi, 0. gloriosum, 0. crispum, 
O. Hallii, 0. Cervantesii, and 0. C. rosea, the latter being a 
beautiful rosy variety not often seen in cultivation. Closely 
allied to> the above are the species of Cochlioda, often named 
Mesospinidium. Of these we may mention C. vulcanica, C. 
rosea, and C. noetzliana, the last named being the most 
highly coloured, and certainly one of the best of the species 
in cultivation. 
Very pretty at present are Oncidium concolor and Sophro¬ 
nitis grandiflora, both suspended in pans, and flowering freely. 
A large batch of Ada aurantiaca has a fine effect just now. An 
interesting hybrid Masdevallia, is M. shuttryana chamber¬ 
lainiana, with large rosy flowers and long tails. Dendrobium 
jamesianum is also flowering in this cool house, which should 
be a hint to those who have not succeeded with it. 
In another division of this house is a fine collection of 
Laelias, consisting chiefly of large pieces grown in pans and 
elevated on wire stands, as in the seedling-house, to keep insects 
at bay. 
Elsewhere is a tine collection of Miltonias, Odontoglossum 
Rossii majus, Epidendrurn vitellinum majus, and Epiphronitis 
Veitchi. The distinct section of Odontoglossums represented 
by 0. grande, 0. Insleayi, etc., are all grown together in this 
house, 
Passing into another span-roofed house, we noted Odonto¬ 
glossum citrosmum, suspended in pans, and showing its long, 
drooping racemes of flower buds. A splendid piece of Ansellia 
africana, about 2| ft. in diameter, has just been added to the 
collection. A massive plant of Cattleya bowringiana consists 
of about eighty pseudo-bulbs and many similar pieces. The 
day of our visit happened to be very cold and windy, and that 
only made the contrast in the Phalaenopsis house more readily 
discernible. The feeling was that of a moist tropical heat. 
Several pieces of P. grandiflora were flowering well, as well as 
P. amabilis and P. luddemanniana. 
In another house close by were massive pieces of Vanda 
suavis, Sobralia. niacrantha, Coelogynes, Epidendrurn o’brien- 
ianum, and E. dellense. 
Fine collections of Phaius and Calanthes are grown at. High¬ 
bury, and are now started into full growth under treatment 
suitable to their particular natures. Interesting in this house 
was a hybrid Dendrobium named D. nobile x Farmeri, but 
there is a little doubt as to this being the exact, parentage. Near 
this is a house devoted to hybrid and other Denctrobiums. The 
notable D. dalhousianum carried four spikes of bloom. D. 
aggregatum was also 1 in bloom. Many hybrids were also located 
here. 
In the above story we have merely given a faint outline 
of the Orchids grown at Highbury, but the exhibits which 
appear at the London and other shows give but a slight idea 
of the large number of hybrids and other rare or interesting 
or beautiful things as grown at Highbury. Provision, is also 
made for blossom at all periods of the year, as one would 
expect in an establishment where the proprietor is fond of his 
Orchids, as is now well known throughout the civilised world. 
The large range of glasshouses is connected together by 
means of a corridor running along the north end of the houses, 
which constitutes a sort of conservatory where many beautiful 
greenhouse or conservatory climbers may be seen in bloom at 
varying periods of the year. At present many pans of Begonia 
Gloire de Lorraine and Oxalis floribunda are suspended' from 
the roof over the pathway, and are flowering very profusely 
and very effectively. Some of those in bloom on the back 
wall or on the roof are Abutilom tessellatum, Solanum jas- 
minoides, Cassias, and Begonia corallina, the latter flowering 
profusely. Very fine also is the variegated Cobaea scandens 
variegata. Many other climbers are also coming along beauti¬ 
fully. 
Those who like a. blaze of colour of another kind would be 
delighted with the Amaryllis house at present. Probably the 
collection is yet young at Highbury, but fine plantations of 
seedlings in other houses and of various ages are making good 
progress, and will add to the beauty and variety of those already 
existing. Those in bloom bear large flowers, and each bulb 
carries an average of two scapes of bloom, some of them having : 
three. The flowers in favour here are of large size, and mostlv 
crimson or scarlet, though some of them are striped. There 
are three to six flowers on a scape. 
At the end of the long corridor is a shady fernery occupied 
with Palms, Bamboos, Ferns, and other subjects. This also 
leads into the conservatory abutting upon the mansion. On 
entering the house from this approach one comes upon a huge 
plant of Hedychium gardnerianum planted out and standing 
G ft, or 7 ft. high. This extraordinary height is due to special 
manuring and good cultivation. On the roof were large trees 
of the Blue Gum and fine specimens of the variegated Cobaea 
above named. Plants in bloom at present are Cinerarias, 
Grape Hyacinths, including the now popular Heavenly Blue, 
Azaleas, Spiraeas, Cytisus, etc. Tall Palms are also very effec¬ 
tive in this large building. 
In one of the stoves is a fine lot of Pancratium fragrans, and 
P. speciosum, Impatiens Sultani, and I.S. rosea. Hybrid 
Anthuriunis, as well as A. crystallinum, are also well grown. 
Hybrid greenhouse Rhododendrons planted out in beds are 
thriving well, and keep on producing flowers at all periods of 
the year. Round the side benches are Strelitzias, Coleus, Hy¬ 
drangeas, Ferns, etc. 
One whole house is devoted to Dutch Bulbs, which make a 
rich and bizarre display at. the present time. The Daffodils, 
Hyacinths, Tulips, Lachenallias, and other flowers are massed 
in groups of a kind. Double Wallflowers and Mignonette also 
add to the delicious aroma, of the other scented flowers there. 
Passing along the corridor, one comes upon another house 
devoted to greenhouse Cyclamen still in full bloom. A very 
fine effect is produced by a houseful of Begonia Gloire de 
Sceaux, the leaves, and flowers combining to produce a very 
charming effect. In winter time the house is devoted to B. 
Gloire de Lorraine. A house is also entirely occupied rvith the 
florists’ Cinerarias. 
There are also two or more Rose houses in different stages 
of advancement. Both Teas and hybrid Perpetuals are grown, 
some being planted out on benches and others grown in pots 
stood upon a shingle of stone chips. There is a. fine batch of 
Lilium Harrisi in the earlier house. 
Several houses are devoted to fruit culture, including Vines, 
Peaches, Nectarines and Strawberries in various stages of 
advancement. 
As the name would seem to indicate, Highbury stands on, 
elevated ground, and the glasshouses must be much exposed 
to every gale of wind, requiring careful and skilful manage¬ 
ment in the heating. No doubt there are many other com¬ 
pensations, and the atmosphere must be clean and wholesome 
during every period of the year; and the Orchids and othei 
plants in the houses certainly give indication of being healthy 
and happy. 
