March 31, 1906 



HORTlCULTURL 



397 



become deteriorated in consequence of the weakness of 

 the parent, but this does not, interfere with the vigor or 

 fruitfulness of scions taken from young, healthy trees 

 of the same variety. 



As to the Lombardy poplar ( Populus fastigiata) it 

 must be borne in mind that it is a native of Persia and 

 no wonder that it should deteriorate in Europe where 

 it would miss the saline quality of the soil and the 

 more congenial warmth of the Persian climate. Neither 

 is it true that the Lombardy poplar has failed every- 

 where. Green of Rochester is advertising it, this year 

 as one of the best trees for screen or shield when 

 planted thickly and ornamental when planted in groups. 

 It is preposterous to suppose that such a firm as Green's 

 Nursery Company would advise their customers to use 

 a tree which is in a state of natural deterioration. 



The bamboo is an exotic; in Great Britain there is no 

 native species. It was thought at one time that the 

 American bamboo could be acclimated, and usefully 

 grown in the southern countries of England, but the 

 experiment failed on account of the changed conditions 

 and not because of the degeneration of the plants owing 

 to their having been propagated by offsets or divisions. 

 In fact this is the only way in which bamboos propa- 

 gate themselves. When they have attained their full 

 height, they send off, horizontally, or at right angles, a 

 series of lateral branches, and these send up, at inter- 

 vals, perpendicular canes, and form the tuft of a new 

 plant. 



Now for a few samples of varieties which have not 

 grown worse or worn out by age. Of grapes there were 

 in England twenty-three kinds of grape vines in 1629, 

 and the Muscatine, Frontignacs, etc., are favorite sorts 

 at the present day, not having suffered any deterioration 

 by the various methods of propagation by layers, eyes, 

 etc., to which they have been subjected for centuries. 

 The old Black Hamburg is still a standard grape which 

 cannot be dispensed with, neither in certain qualities has 

 it been surpassed. The Fameuse apple, although it de- 

 teriorates in localities unfavorable to it. is still the 

 standard variety of Montreal, and is just as handsome 

 and delicious as ever, under fair cultivation and care. 



It is affirmed by some that some of the choice old 

 English apples have died out, but if so, I have no doubt 

 it will be found that their disappearance has been 

 caused by bad management and not by naturally deteri- 

 orating through age. 



It is perhaps unfortunate that the rage for novelty 

 has led to the neglect of good old sorts, and their popu- 

 larity may have suffered in consequence but their intrin- 

 sic quality remains notwithstanding. Plant and fruit 

 breeders do not wait for old varieties to fail before they 

 attempt to supplant them, but are continually experi- 

 menting with a view of excelling them, and often with 

 success, greatly to their own advantage and to that of 

 the public, therefore their efforts deserve recognition and 

 encouragement, and while we have no fear I'm' the loss 

 by deterioration of old varieties, which can only lie 

 brought about by the action of Hie organs of fructifica- 

 tion or by a long series of malpractice, we shall do well 

 to keep up the public interest by the introduction of new 

 varieties of equal, if not of sup. rior, merit. 



Cattleya Warscewiczii 



J-^ 



Cattleya Warscewiczii and gigas were for some time 

 considered as distinct species, but are now known, 

 among botanists at least, as one Warscewiczii. 



The species is variable and it is not surprising that 

 many horticulturists who pay little attention to the 

 parts of the flower which are not apparent to the casual 

 observer grow the extreme types under distinct names. 

 The differences, however, between the types are bridged 

 over by intermediate forms. The type which was and 

 is yet in many eases grown under the name of gigas, 

 strangely enough has flowers somewhat smaller than 

 the other extreme ami has from six to ten flowers to a 

 spike. As far as we can learn the record is ten flowers 

 to one spike> The plant shown in the accompanying 

 illustration has made a double lead each carrying a 

 -pike of six flowers. What was known as Warscewiczii 

 has larger and more brilliant flowers and seldom more 

 than three or four to a spike. 



The species Warscewiczii or gigas is generally con- 

 sidered a hard subject owing to its tendency to make a 

 second growth which is not matured before the short. 

 days and is generally -mallei- than the preceding one. 

 and as it does not flower is of no value. The flowers 

 come in dune or July mi the growths made in spring 

 and early summer and. as at that time of the year it is 

 impossible under ordinary conditions to rest the plants. 



ll nly thir-; to do is to keep them going and make 



the best of it. 



It is also considered ; i hard subject because of a habit 

 it has of making line healthy looking growths which do 

 not flower. This has. however, been traced to an in- 

 sufficient ainounl of light and air. Cattleyas as a rule 

 like plenty id' both, 1ml Warscewiczii should have the 

 lightest and airiest place in the house. 



Among growers who favor leaf-mould for many or- 

 chids it is the general opinion that this species will not. 

 succeed in it. The plant shown was the onlv one of a 

 batch of two dozen grown in leaf soil and was the best 

 flowered and mail.' the strongest nsendo-bulbs of Hie lot. 



