We paid a visit to the Downside collection of Orchids in June of the present year, and were greatly surprised to see the progress that had been made as regards the erection of new houses for each section of Orchids, and the pains and trouble which had been taken to make each house complete as regards ventilation, stages, and tanks for the reception of rain-water; even the paths are made to do their part towards the growth of the plants, as well as to provide for the comfort of those who have to do the work, as well as of the visitors, who may walk on them without wetting their feet, a paving brick with a scored surface being used, so that the water thrown down remains in the depressions of the surface, and gives off by evaporation a continuous supply of moisture to the atmosphere, which is what the plants require in the summer season when in full growth. There was one long house filled with Masdevallias in grand beauty—a glorious sight, embracing all the best species and varieties that can be procured. Close by was the Odontoglossum house, with the plants on the side tables one mass of bloom; and besides these, there was a fine lot of Odontoglots, including some good forms, blooming in full beauty, in another house. Here also was the finest Cattleya house we have yet seen, there being many hundreds of flowers, consisting of _Cattleya Mossiæ_, of which there were some of the grandest varieties we have met with; also some fine examples of _C. Warnerii_, rich in colour, intermixed with _C. Mendelii_ in variety, _C. gigas_, with its bold richly coloured flowers, and many fine specimens of _Lælia purpurata_ in full beauty. In the same house was a fine lot of specimen Vandas, placed on the centre table, they were in fine health, and with their graceful foliage towering above them, and their distinctly-coloured flowers, altogether formed a pleasing contrast to the Cattleyas. The India house was gay with species of _Aërides_ and _Saccolabium_, among which were some very rare ones, too numerous to mention. There was also a fine house devoted to _Phalænopsis_, as well as one for Dendrobes, many of which were in bloom. Next to these was a structure devoted to a good collection of _Lycaste Skinneri_, and other kinds that require the same treatment. Much credit is due to Mr. Lee’s gardener, Mr. Woolford, for the great interest he takes in maintaining the health of the plants under his care. Mr. Percival’s Cattleyas.—We have received from R. P. Percival, Esq. of Southport, a box containing a fine series of _Cattleya Mossiæ_, _C. Mendelii_, &c. Mr. Percival informs us that he has now (June) as many as three hundred and thirty-six blossoms of _C. Mossiæ_ open; and taking the flowers sent us as a sample, they are of a very fine strain, and must present a gorgeous _coup d’œil_ in the Orchid house. Accompanying the Cattleyas was a grand spike of _Odontoglossum vexillarium splendens_, with very large flowers fine in form and deep in colour.—B. S. W.