140 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
August  17,  1899. 
with  others  in  places  in  the  open,  and  one  without  the  walls  near 
Mr.  Thompson’s  residence,  this  being  devoted  to  the  Dendrobiums. 
Almost  all  the  houses  contain  Orchids  in  large  numbers,  and  the  plants 
vary  in  size  from  the  seedlings  not  yet  removed  to  separate  receptacles 
to  specimens  of  sufficient  size  and  strength  to  produce  superb  spikes  of 
flowers.  By  the  courtesy  of  Messrs.  J.  S.  Virtue  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  we  are 
enabled  to  reproduce  from  the  “  Flower  Growers’  Guide  ”  an  illustration 
(fig.  31)  of  the  flowering  house  at  Walton  Grange,  which  was  prepared 
from  a  photograph  taken  by  Mr.  Stevens  shortly  after  this  visit  was 
paid.  It  shows  an  abundance  of  spikes  of  Miltonias  with  Odonto- 
glossums  interspersed  amongst  them.  It  is  a  beautiful  picture,  though 
it  does  not  do  justice  to  the  display  as  seen  in  the  life.  That  the 
flowers  are  Bet  off  by  the  Ferns,  both  on  and  beneath  the  stage,  no  one 
will  be  prepared  to  dispute,  and  considering  how  materially  such 
additions  aid  the  general  effect  it  seems  a  pity  the  system  does  not 
become  practically  universal.  _ 
In  dealing  with  Odontoglossums  there  is  no  apparent  effort  to 
adhere  to  one  particular  species,  but  the  endeavour  seems  rather  to 
have  been  to  make  the  collection  thoroughly  representative  of  the 
Fig.  30. — Vanda  Ivimballiana. 
genus  as  a  whole.  Some  had  ceased  to  flower,  others  were  just  at 
their  best,  and  still  more  had  still  to  come  when  this  visit  was  paid, 
but  of  those  that  will  subsequently  be  mentioned  the  majority  were 
at  their  best  at  that  moment.  It  is  not  proposed  to  give  a  house  to 
house  description,  but  to  take  first  the  Odontoglossums,  irrespective  of 
the  structure  that  contained  them,  and  to  refer  to  the  remainder  in  a 
similar  manner.  An  Orchid  that  never  fails  to  attract  attention  when 
seen  in  first-rate  form  is  0.  citrosmum.  The  long  pendulous  spikes  of 
fragrant  flowers  have  a  very  chaste  appearance,  but  they  are  all  too  seldom 
seen  in  the  condition  of  those  at  Walton  Grange.  Vastly  different  in 
colour  and  structure  are  the  forms  of  triumphans  and  Halli,  but  they 
are  no  less  beautiful.  These  are  numerously  represented  by  handsome 
varieties.  0.  pulchellum,  Rossi  majus,  maculatum,  nebulosum,  and 
nebulosum  album  demand  more  than  a  passing  reference,  but  this, 
unfortunately,  cannot  be  accorded  to  them  at  the  present  time.  It 
must  suffice  to  say  that  they  were  in  the  very  best  of  condition,  and 
were  bravely  doing  their  share  towards  the  charming  display. 
0.  luteo-purpureum,  at  any  rate  in  some  of  its  best  forms,  is  one  of 
the  handsomest  Orchids  in  cultivation,  and  the  immense  spikes  of 
excellent  flowers  on  the  plant  shown  by  Mr.  Stevens  at  the  last 
Temple  Show  are  not  likely  soon  to  be  obliterated  from  the  mind. 
A  grand  form  has  been  named  after  Mr.  Thompson.  Of  a  chaster 
type  of  beauty  is  0.  Coradinei,  of  which  more  than  one  excellent 
variety  was  observed,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Pescatorei.  This 
is  one  of  the  most  charming  of  Odontoglots,  particularly  in  some  of  the 
rarer  varieties.  A  pure  white  one,  save  for  the  yellow  on  the  lip,  at 
Walton  was  very  attractive.  Of  totally  different  style  is  O.  grande, 
whose  magnificent  flowers  are  certain  to  elicit  the  admiration  of 
everyone.  Distinct  again  from  either  of  those  previously  enumerated 
is  O.  cordatum,  which,  though  an  old  species,  is  still  worthy  of  its 
place  in  every  collection.  Forms  of  0.  sceptrum  are  comparatively 
numerous  at  Walton  Grange,  and  some  of  the  flowers  are  really  of 
extraordinary  beauty.  There  is  an  exquisite  delicacy  in  the  colouration 
that  appeals  forcibly  to  all  observers,  especially  in  such  a  variety  as 
0.  s.  Stevensi.  J 
But  let  us  now  turn  to  the  most  popular  of  all  the  Odontoglossums 
—namely,  the  varieties  of  crispum.  These,  it  is  superfluous  to  say 
are  represented  by  some  of  the  rarest  and  best  forms  in  cultivation* 
and  so  admirably  are  they  grown  that  they  produce  flowers  of 
superlative  excellence  both  in  form  and  substance.  The  colours  vary 
from  white  through  those  that  are  abundantly  spotted  to  others  which 
have  few  spots  or  large  blotches  of  colour  on  sepals,  petals,  or  lip. 
Had  there  been  time  to  take  notes  and  descriptions  only  of  the  elite , 
there  would  have  been  material  for  a  long  article,  but  this  could 
not  be,  and  a  few  names  were  jotted  down  in  passing  somewhat 
too  hurriedly  through  the  collection.  For  example,  there  were 
0.  c.  Vuylstekeanum,  Ruckerianum,  Thompsonianum,  Cappartianum, 
W.  Thompson,  and  scores  of  others  that  are  equally,  and  some, 
perhaps,  more  deserving  of  enumeration.  0.  Adrianse,  of  which  there 
are  about  half  a  score  of  varieties,  all  well  above  the  average  of 
excellence,  were  observed,  as  were  forms  of  excellens.  Both  of  these 
types  are  given  special  attention  by  Mr.  Thompson,  and  only  the 
choicest  are  retained  ;  indeed  this  is  the  governing  principle  through¬ 
out.  Of  almost  all  the  Odontoglossums  that  have  been  named  there 
are  seedlings,  particularly  of  crispum,  of  which  with  the  unflowered 
imported  stock  there  must  be  thousands,  and  doubtless  of  these  more 
will  be  heard  in  the  future. 
At  the  warmer  end  of  one  of  the  cool  houses  Vanda  Kimballiana 
(fig.  30)  thrives  in  splendid  style,  and  its  lovely  flowers  delight 
everyone  who  sees  them.  The  more  imposing  Y.  coerulea  also  finds  a 
congenial  spot.  At  the  end  of  another  structure  was  a  brilliant 
picture,  such  as  I  for  one  had  not  seen  before.  It  was  composed  of 
Cochlioda  Noezliana  in  a  bank  of  Ferns.  But  what  spikes  and 
flowers  !  They  were  superb,  and  never  previously  had  I  thoroughly 
realised  the  true  beauty  of  this  Orchid;  compared  with  the  specimens 
sometimes  seen  it  is  like  a  plant  from  another  sphere.  Ada  aurantiaca 
was  also  in  fine  form,  as  were  the  Dendrobiums.  The  one  that  more 
particularly  attracted  attention  on  this  occasion  was  Bensoniae,  whose 
flowers  were  chastely  beautiful.  In  addition  to  all  the  better  known 
Dendrobes  Mr.  Thompson  is  the  proud  possessor  of  the  true  white 
nobile,  of  which  Mr.  Stevens  informed  me  there  were  only  four  plants 
in  the  country ;  unfortunately  I  did  not  see  it  in  flower.  It  was  in 
the  Dendrobium  house  that  healthy  plants  of  Eucharis  Stevensi  were 
noted.  This  is,  as  is  now  generally  acknowledged,  one  of  the  best 
Eucharis  in  cultivation.  It  was  illustrated  in  the  Journal  of  Horti¬ 
culture  for  March  21st,  1895,  page  253. 
Then,  too,  there  were  many  splendid  Cattleyas  in  flower,  and 
amongst  them  all  some  plants  of  C.  Lawrenceana  stood  out  in  striking 
beauty.  They  were  flowering  with  exceptional  freedom,  and  were 
peculiarly  rich  in  colour.  Amongst  others  either  in  or  out  of  bloom 
were  C.  Mantini  superba,  intermedia  alba,  Skinneri  alba,  Wagneri,  and 
M  arneri,  with  forms  of  Trianae,  Schroaerae,  and  Mendeli,  all  of  which 
were  in  perfect  health.  So,  too,  were  several  grand  plants  of  Lselia 
purpurata,  Perrini  alba,  and  L.  anceps,  with  Laelio-Cattleyas  Hippo- 
lyta  and  Nysa  superba,  and  with  these  we  must  draw  to  a  close. 
Endeavour  has  been  made  to  note  some  of  the  most  striking 
Orchids  in  this  great  collection,  but  doubtless  many  have  been  omitted. 
These,  however,  must  stand  until  the  good  fortune  of  a  second  visit 
to  Walton  Grange  presents  itself,  when  it  is  certain  that  more  than 
sufficient  will  be  found  to  form  the  basis  of  further  remarks  in  the 
Journal  pages. — H.  J.  Wright. 
THE  IRIS. 
(i Concluded  from  page  118.) 
Besides  the  well-known  Irises  already  referred  to  there  is 
another  class  which  has  come  lately  to  the  front,  and  which  bears  the 
peculiar  name  of  Oncocyclus.  This  has  proved  too  much  for  some 
growers,  who  have  given  this  section  the  name  of  “  Cushion  ”  Irises. 
They  are  extremely  difficult  to  grow,  and  I  must  confess  that  hitherto 
1  have  failed  to  bloom  any  of  the  bulbs.  The  gardener  of  a  neighbour 
of  mine  who  tried  to  grow  the  bulbs  at  the  same  time  has  also  failed. 
As  these  Iris  are  dear  to  buy,  I  have  not  persevered  with  them,  so  I 
hope  some  practical  men  will  give  their  experience  in  growing  them. 
With  the  exception  of  the  Kaempferi,  and  some  may  say  not  even 
with  this  exception,  they  are  the  most  beautiful  Irises  in  existence. 
In  the  south  of  France  the  best  known  variety  of  this  class  is  Iris 
Susiana,  and  I  believe  also  the  type  bears  a  magnificent  flower  of  a 
very  dark  maroon  colour  with  black  spots.  In  Dorsetshire  I  bloomed 
it  well,  but  only  for  one  year,  as  the  effort  appeared  to  kill  the  bulb. 
Mr.  Barr,  one  of  the  largest  cultivators  of  the  Iris,  gives  the 
following  advice  as  to  the  cultivation  of  these  beautiful  varieties : — 
“  The  roots  should  be  planted  in  November  (the  tops  not  more  than 
2  inches  below  the  surface)  in  a  light,  rich,  well-drained  soil,  and 
covered  with  3  or  4  inches  of  Wheat  straw,  or,  better  still,  marsh 
Reeds,  which  should  be  removed  in  March.  Immediately  these  Irises 
have  done  flowering  place  over  the  plants  a  light,  or  panes  of  glass 
elevated  18  inches  above  the  ground,  so  as  to  admit  at  the  sides  a  free 
entry  of  air,  and  at  the  same  time  to  keep  off  rain  till  October.  The 
object  desired  is  to  thoroughly  ripen  the  roots  and  prevent  their  start- 
