i879-] RESTING AND WATERING PLANTS. 541 



ture, and on that account most of the plants are comparatively small, but 

 are thriving remarkably well. A plant of Odontoglossum Londesboroughianum 

 was just opening, probably the first time of its blooming in Scotland. At 

 John Russell's, Esq. of Mayfield — a place which has long been justly cele- 

 brated for many of the finest specimens in cultivation, but which were 

 dispersed a few years ago — we were greatly surprised to find all the Orchid- 

 houses again full of Orchids. We presume Mr Russell could not take to a new 

 line, and so has gone with all his heart into his old one. Although the 

 specimens here are yet far short of what the old ones were, they are on the 

 road to a similar success, under the able management of Mr Sorely, Mr Russell's 

 gardener. Many interesting specimens were here in bloom, but being " tied" 

 to a traiD, we took no notes. The most extraordinary growths of Dendrobium 

 Wardianum we ever saw were here. They were quite 3 feet long, and as thick 

 as a man's forefinger. At A. B. Stewart's, Esq. of Langside, we found that 

 great strides have been made in Orchid collecting and culture during the last 

 two years. A grand plant of Cattleya oxoniensis was here in fine bloom, the real 

 Phalteaopsis grandiflora, and many others. The fiuest plant of Vanda Lowii 

 in the country is in this collection. We found the general tendency to use 

 more sphagnum, and less lumpy peat, in Orchid culture, than was the case at 

 one time in force at all these places ; and we think, from our own experience, 

 this is a step in the right direction. The treatment generally is also much 

 cooler, as we before remarked, than was at one time practised. 



— **j*sf#s«r*ti — 



RESTING AND WATERING PLANTS. 



Plants generally will be safely located in their winter quarters, many 

 of them, we fear, in a backward state, and by no means so well pre- 

 pared to withstand the winter as in many previous years. The wood 

 of numerous flowering subjects that require thorough ripening and a fair 

 season of rest, especially those that have done duty late this season — 

 such as Allamandas, Bougainvilleas, Clerodendrons, &c. — will need 

 every attention in thoroughly maturing the wood. Owing to their pre- 

 mature state, a slower process must be adopted in bringing the plants 

 safely to rest, otherwise fatal results must be anticipated. Consider- 

 ing the immature state of both flowering and foliage, extra caution will 

 this year have to be exercised. Plants of the fine-foliage type that had 

 completed their growth by the end of October last year and before this 

 time, were enjoying that season of repose which is expedient for the 

 wellbeing of many subjects. An early rest, if time is an object with 

 the cultivator, is the only means necessary to insure an early start again 

 at the commencement of the year. The dull and sunless season, com- 

 bined with a downpour of rain that is now fast drawing to a close, 

 has been unfit to solidify the growth of plants, and bring them to that 

 satisfactory stage of maturity to receive an early slumber. If artificial 

 means have not been adopted to assist in their maturation, and they 

 are allowed to keep in a semi-active state with a view of insuring an 

 early and vigorous growth in the spring, the result ends in disappoint- 



