1>^7'J.] 



A XV IK) A' TIC IJL T II R I S T. 



73 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



ORCHID CULTURE. 



RY W., NORFOLK, VA. 



I have read with interest the articles of C. 

 H. S., Baltimore, and others in your columns, 

 reaai'dino orchids and their culture. It is an 

 encouraging sign, that a lively interest seems to 

 have been at last awakened in this country, in 

 that most curious and entertaining class of plants, 

 than which none are of greater delight or pro- 

 ductive of more pleasure to the amateur. 



We are slowly following in the footsteps of our 

 English cousins, who long since ranked these 

 plants among their choicest treasures, and 

 searched tropical climes far and wide to obtain 

 new and I'are specimens, often at the cost of great 

 labor, and large expenditure of time and money. 

 It will be many, many years before we can hope 

 to attain such proficiency in their culture, and still 

 I am informed there are several collections in 

 this country very creditable to their owners, if 

 not the equal of some in Europe. 



Perhaps the want of attention to this class of 

 plants has been from a mistaken idea as to their 

 culture and the care they require. Xew light 

 regarding these matters seems to have been 

 recently disseminated, and it is not now% as 

 formerly considered, that ahot, moist atmosphere 

 is a necessary essential to their gi'owth and de- 

 velopement. Particularly is this true of some 

 of the Mexican orchids, and those from the 

 cooler altiitudes of South America, many of which 

 will flourish and blossom beautifully with ordi- 

 nary greenhouse heat, and when in bloom can be 

 removed to a parlor or sitting room, when their 

 flov^ers will remain in perfection a long while. 

 In fact, experiments have been made and well 

 nigh proved successful in growing them without 

 heat, even during the summer months in the 

 open air, as 3'our correspondents and those of 

 the Garden have told us. When grown with 

 other plants, the varieties upon blocks and in 

 hanging pots and baskets suspended from the 

 rafters of the house, as well as those intersper- 

 sed with ferns and palms, by the brilliancy of 

 their flowers, add to the beauty of the rich display, 

 and present a pleasing contrast ; a very good idea 

 of which may be had from the cut in The Orcliid 

 Groicer^s Maimal, to which you have referred, 

 page 15. Such an attempt is now being made 

 in this country by Mr. Daniel Barker, at his spa- 

 cious greenhouse, at the Brambleton nurseries, 



near this city, with a large and varied consign- 

 ment of L;t.'lius, Cattleyas, Stanhopeas, Odonto- 

 glossums, and other Mexican orchids, many of 

 which are now rapidly coming into bloom. 

 These plants appear to be in fine condition, if 

 the immense leaves of the Stanhopeas, most ex- 

 traordinary in size, and the strong flower-stems 

 of the La'lias are any indication, and it does 

 not seem unsafe to conclude that his experiment 

 will prove a succees. If as now seems probable, 

 it should be fully demonstrated that the popular 

 idea of growing orchids has been an erroneous 

 one, — and the high authority of Mr. Williams' 

 manual leads to that conclusion, — there is no 

 reason why every greenhouse should not l)e 

 favored with the presence of many of the hardiest 

 and most beautiful of their class, and the taste for 

 them become as popular here as in Europe, 

 now that the competition of trade has brought 

 them within the means of everv lover of flowers. 



PETER HENDERSON CARNATION. 



BY NANZ & NBUNER, T. O U I 8 V 1 L L K, K Y. 



In reply to enquiry " Carnation Peter Hen- 

 derson," in November number we would say the 

 new^ white perpetual Carnation Peter Henderson 

 is distinct in foliage, growth and flower from any 

 of the varieties named or any other in existence. 

 We also will state here, that we believe some 

 Eastern florists sent out last Spring, even to 

 our city, the Peerless or Edwardsii Carnation 

 instead of Peter Henderson. Perhaps the Ed- 

 wardsii Pink has been a victim of the same 

 dishouestv. 



We w^ould be glad to hear of the success with 

 our carnations from florists which cultivate it 

 now, and trust their reports will be as favorable 

 as those on hand from some of the leading car- 

 nation growers in this comitrv. 



ROSE CULTURE FOR WINTER BLOOMING. 



BY MR. WM. BENNETT. 



i Pri/,0 Kssay, offered by Mr. Peter Heudersoii, re;ifl hel'Mf llic 

 New York Horticultural Society. 



I At the regular monthly meeting of the New 

 i York Horticultural Society, held at the rooms of 

 I the society, on November 5th, 1878, Peter Hen- 

 derson, Esq., oftered a premium of $25.00, to bo 

 j given to the person who should write and present 

 ; the best essay on " Rose Culture for Winter 

 i Blooming." John Henderson, C. L. Allen and 

 1 Jas. Dean, Esqs., were appointed a committee 

 i to whom essays should be presented by compe- 

 ! titors, and who should decide as to the merits of 



