Our Grower Comments 
Robert A. Betts, grower for Rivermont Orchids, was born at 
Haywards Heath, Sussex, England. After learning orchid cul- 
ture under E. V. Low, he joined the Charlesworth Orchid 
Nursery, at that time the world's largest trader in orchids. 
He came to America in charge ofa private collection, and 
later was employed by W. H. Jewell. Mr. Betts exhibited 
Jewell's choice plants in Madison Square Garden, Grand Cen- 
tral Palace, and the Museum of Natural History in New York. 
He wasalso sent to England and Belgium for further research. 
For almost five years he cared for the private orchid collec- 
tion of Arthur Curtis James, and after the war joined River- 
mont Orchids, Clint McDade & Sons. Concerning his career 
here, Betts says: 
"My work with the McDade range has proven ex- 
tremely interesting, and I am proud that some of 
the most outstanding hybrids yet developed - in- 
cluding the famed Bow Bells, Snowdrifts and Der- 
nas - are located here. From these and other 
quality plants we are propagating distinctive seed- 
lings which will command the admiration of orchid 
connoisseurs the world over."' 
