September 21, 1907 



HORTICULTURE. 



879 



Commercial Cypripediums 



C^vpripediimis are admirably iiseiul for floral work; 

 thev furnish an exceptional selection of curiously beau- 

 tiful forms, of easy culture, which when cut are of good 

 Listing quality and carry well. The choicer hybrids 

 one must rule out for obvious reasons, though at the 

 present rate of increase, these, at no distant day, will 

 be both plentiful and cheap. The older types are 

 e(jually beautiful for all practical purposes. 



The need of the moment is for a selection of really 

 meritorious varieties, of vigorous growth and proved 

 floriferous character, giving a reasonable return for in- 

 vestment in quantity. A factor to be borne in mind 

 when making initial outlay is that cypripediums in- 

 crease in size and value more quickly than do other 

 orchids; then, too, many varieties admit of cooler treat- 

 ment, and if houses are set entirely apart and filled 

 v.'ith kinds needing similar treatment, they may be 

 handled as easily as carnations or roses. Varieties may 

 be selected to secure a succession of flowers the year 

 round, but winter flowering plants such as the follow- 

 ing named would be more profitable. 



One has often wondered why Sedenii and especially 

 its lighter variety, candid ulum are not more generally 

 grown ; if given abundant moisture they flower most 

 freely and if flowers are cut singly one gets a succession 

 of from six to nine on one spike. Given a plant with 

 ten flowering growths, one may have from sixty to 

 ninety blooms on a plant, covering a period of six 

 months; wliat a houseful would produce is left to the 

 reader's imagination. Schlimii is a little gem as a but- 

 tonliole flower, as free and easy to grow as Sedenii and 

 may have same treatment. The old insigne is not to 

 be despised for cutting but I would draw attention to 

 Sander's insigne montanum varieties of much more 

 elegant form and a great improvement on the type, 

 many of them superior, in their white dorsal sepals and 

 rich spotting, to eitlier IMauleior punetatum violaceum. 

 A goodly number of clear pale yellow forms of much 

 charm are found in importations. Of the insigne 

 hybrids liceanum and its varieties are the most useful 

 for cutting. Arthurianum, one of the earliest of in- 

 signe hybrids with the famed Fairieanum and having 

 the unique and delicate grace of that variety, is strongly 

 recommended. Oenanthum superbum is one of the 

 best dark forms and easy to cultivate. Lathamianum 

 combines the good qualities of both its parents — Spiceri- 

 anum x villosum — and is worth growing in quantity. 

 Of varieties with lengthy flower stalks suitable for 

 vases are Lawrencianum, Mastersianum, and Harrisi- 

 anum superlram, all vigorous and free bloomers. Of 

 varieties with small flowers suitable for buttonholes and 

 sprays, venustum and Spicerianum are useful ; the lat- 

 ter may be used in wreaths with fine effect. Niveum, 

 with its charming white flowers, may be added ; though 

 it needs more warmth and careful watering, it is well 

 worth the trouble. 



This list is fairly representative but may be aug- 

 mented at pleasure. The point to insist on is high cul- 

 ture if they are to be a paying item. Shade they will 

 require and not over much drainage. Use a rough turfv 

 loam, peat and sand as compost ; pot level. Sphagnum 

 moss is useful but not necessary. Too much disturb- 

 ance of the roots is against free flowering; repotting 

 large plants every 3 or 4 years is sufficient. All the 



varieties named witli the possible exception of niveum 

 are such as orchid salesmen are glad to offer at a cheap 

 I'ate ; novelties are the order of the day, and their rapid 

 output places many beautiful varieties in the back- 

 ground which despised of the connoisseur will form the 

 nucleus and in future the reserves of the orchid cut 

 flower trade. In that development "Our Lady's Slip- 

 per" v/ill find a proniinent place. 



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Plant Lice 



Species of aphidada>, commonly known as plant lice 

 or aphis, are frequently found on ornamental trees, 

 shrubs and plants and roadside weeds. As they are a 

 serious pest in many rose and carnation gardens and 

 on fruit trees numerous inquiries are made concerning 

 the best method to get rid of them. 



The plant lice are about one-eighth inch long, green, 

 gray or black and bottle-shaped, being much larger at 

 the posterior end. and having two small honey tubes pro- 

 jecting back. The life-history is unimportant here, the 

 fact that they multiply with amazing rapidity being the 

 only point deserving special emphasis. 



As the food of the insect is obtained by sucking the 

 sap. stomach poisons as paris green or arsenate of lead 

 are useless. Instead a substance which will kill by suf- 

 focation or penetration is required, or in other words, 

 a contact poison. There are a number of these, all of 

 which will prove effective as the soft-bodied louse is 

 easy to kill. The only thing to be borne in mind is the 

 necessity for hitting each insect, a provision which may 

 make a repetition of the spraying necessary, as the 

 great breeding powers will quickly furnish a new sup- 

 ply if any survive, as undoubtedly some will. 



Kerosene emulsion is the standard contact insecti- 

 cide. It is made by using whale oil or laundry soap, 

 kerosene and water in the following proportions: 



Soap 1-2 pound 



Kerosene 2 gallons 



AVater 1 gallon 



The soap is grated and dissolved in the water after 

 the boiling point is reached. It is then removed from 

 the fire and the kerosene added while the mixture is 

 hot. All are thoroughly stirred and churned until a 

 creamy mass results, which forms the stock solution. 

 This may be kept indefinitely, and used when needed 

 at the rate of one part to ten or twelve parts of water. 

 .\nother good remedy is whale oil soap or fish oil soap 

 dissolved at the rate of one pound to six gallons of 

 water. 



Tobacco decoction made by filling a pail with to- 

 liacco stems, covering with water and soaking for 

 twenty-four hours is good. One-half a pint of the 

 resulting liquid is used to a )iail of water. 



A number of satisfactorv articles are sold under the 

 name of "tree soaps," which are usually good, although 

 the price is somewhat high. Not only are these reme- 

 dies good for lice but when used in stronger doses will 

 exterminate all the more resistant insects with which 

 the}' come in contact. 



