418 THE GARDENER. [Sept. 



instance, a Pea that is a standard in many, if not most, places, is 

 in this soil and climate very indifferent, though not so complete a 

 failure as Stratagem. 



Odontoglossum Vexillarium. — A wonderfully fine variety of this 

 lovely Orchid has recently flowered at Fernfield, Bridge of Allan. The 

 colour is remarkably telling, and it has the peculiarity of producing 

 branched flower-spikes, which is the first instance of this Orchid doing 

 so. If it retains this characteristic in conjunction with its other excel- 

 lent points, it will become an acquisition. But unfortunately it has 

 a trick of going suddenly off when it attains to a large size, and we 

 believe the manner of watering has something to do with this. 

 Water should not be applied close to the collar or neck of the plants. 

 The bulbs and leaves of this Odontoglot are much more soft and 

 tender than any other, and on this account it should be potted high 

 and extra well drained. 



Tuberous Begonias. — Another year's experience of these as border- 

 plants more than confirms our high opinion of them for outdoor decora- 

 tion. In fact they are by far the most effective beds amongst very 

 many things this exceptionally wet and sunless summer. Large plants 

 can be had the first season from seed sown in the end of January or 

 early in February ; and these can be grown to almost any size the 

 second year. Many fail in getting the seed to vegetate, chiefly, we 

 think, because they cover it. It should be sown in a moderately 

 fine surface of light rich soil and not covered, but merely covering the 

 seed-pan with a piece of glass or paper. The surface should never be 

 allowed to become dry; and it vegetates best in a temperature of 65° 

 to 70°. As bedding-plants, they are most easily managed. The bulbs 

 can be pitted, mixed with moderately moist soil, and kept from frost 

 till they show signs of sprouting, when they are " run out " into light 

 rich soil in cold frames, from which they are transplanted into their 

 flowering quarters. In moist localities Geraniums have no chance 

 with Begonias for a display of brilliant bloom. 



Green Frogs in Orchid-houses. — These little jumping beauties are 

 most useful creatures among Orchids. They devour all sorts of in- 

 sects, such as slaters, ants, &c., and are themselves perfectly harmless 

 among the plants, jumping about on the slenderest stems and leaves 

 without doing any harm to the plants. Dr Paterson of Fernfield has 

 a lot of these nimble little creatures in his houses, and no such thing as 

 a slater, ant, &c., escapes them. 



Clerodendron Balfouriana. — As a rafter-plant in a cool house this is 

 a most useful and ornamental flowering-plant. It comes into bloom 

 in a cool fernery (where no fire-heat is applied in summer) about the 

 beginning of August ; and grown in this cool way, it lasts a long time 

 in bloom. By having a plant or two on the rafters of the warm stove 

 where it blooms in spring, and again in autumn, this lovely climber 

 may be had in bloom the greater part of the year. For cutting and 



