2S4- THE GARDENER. • [June 



P. S. Cristata, and the other variety, Applebyana, are both fine for 

 vases. The same treatment suits them as the normal type. They 

 also produce seed quite freely, which may either be sown in pots or 

 left to chance to germinate where they can find a suitable place. I 

 find they come up like weeds, without any attention whatever. Scale 

 is rather a troublesome visitor sometimes ; it is of no use to clean those 

 fronds which may be badly infested, as with the utmost care they get 

 materially damaged. It is better to take off such fronds entirely, and 

 keep a sharp look-out for any stragglers left. R. P. 13. 



CELERY IN POTS. 



It may be a new method to some growers to adopt this plan, but it is 

 certain that Celery has been grown in pots for many years, probably 

 before " Under-Gardener " or myself was born — but not for late sup- 

 plies, however ; and the reason I would assign for this is, the great 

 quantity of water Celery requires, and how ready the crop is to *' bolt " 

 when its roots are confined. If '• Under-Gardener" could now look in 

 upon some growers for exhibition he might see Celery in pots far 

 advanced in growth, and probably in good condition by the month of 

 June ; and perhaps at the same places may now be found good Celery 

 behind a wall or fence which has stood the winter, and comes in as a 

 succession to crops which came into use in August. 



I have never had any difficulty in keeping Celery in good condition, 

 with little or no loss, as late as May, and that in a very exposed dis- 

 trict in Scotland. Celery is not easily injured, except when " coddled " 

 in absence of frost, and when grown on undrained land, planted deep 

 and earthed up too high. In some districts " potting " might be 

 advisable, but deliver me from the watering of a supply of Celery, say 

 from 2000 and upwards. Space for pots in small places is generally 

 less at command than ridges made to hold from four to seven rows of 

 Celery. When this crop is managed, as market-gardeners often grow 

 it, planted on the surface-level, after plenty of manure has been dug 

 in the ground, " rotting " or " bolting " is seldom seen. 



Blenheim. M. Temple. 



HARDY ORCHIDS. 



A FEW years ago I received a quantity of plants from Italy, chiefly 

 composed of varieties of Orchis and Ophrys. They — i.e., the Orchi- 

 dacese — were all lifted during the period of growth, many while in 

 flower. They were potted at once in a mixture of equal parts light 

 loam and sand, and set in a cold frame, where they were allowed to 



