MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 91 



for forcing, from the time they are potted till they are brought into the stove. 

 As I believe this is considered a good time for potting, an early answer will 

 much oblige. 



Dublin, March 12, 1844. . M. B. 



[In the August number of last year's Fi.oricultural Cabinet, there is a long 

 and excellent article on the subject, which we inserted by permission of the 

 writer. — Conductor.] 



On the Birmingham Giant Cockscomb. — In the Cabinet for August, 1842, 

 I see a notice of the " Birmingham Giant Cockscomb." Can you say in your next 

 where seeds of it may be obtained? I have made inquiry both last season and 

 this but without success. 



Falkirk. A Subscriber. 



[We can supply our correspondent. — Conductor.] 



On Zinc Labels. — Our inquirer (Anon.) may procure the labels of the Zinc 

 cutters, and the ink required be made of the following, viz., water, 10 drachms ; 

 verdigris, in powder, 1 drachm ; lamp black, in powder, ^ a drachm ; sal 

 ammoniac, in powder, 1 drachm. — Conductor. 



REMARKS. 



LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING. 



On February 20, there were exhibited from Mr. J. Brewster, gardener to Mrs. 

 Wray, of Cheltenham, a plant of Laelia supeibiens, having a spike about five 

 and a half inches long, of pretty purple blossoms, which, although truly beau- 

 tiful, were not so well coloured as could have been wished ; but it frequently 

 happens that orchidaceous plants fail to produce their first flowers well, and very 

 possibly this may improve in course of cultivation. This plant, the honour of 

 first flowering which belongs to Mrs. Wiay, and which has created so much 

 interest, is a native of Guatemala, where it was first discovered by Mr. Skinner 

 — the finest specimens being in ravines, and growing out of the fissures of rocks 

 sheltered fiom north-west winds. Some of the plants have bulbs 22 inches high, 

 and flower-stems four yards long having 22 flowers. Mr. Hartweg, who also met 

 with it in abundance in the neighbourhood of Chantla, where it is planted by 

 the Indians in front of their doors and exists in immense quantities, says that 

 the length of the stem, being four yards, is uncommon, and that the average 

 number of flowers in clusters is from 7 to 15. A strong plant of this is also in 

 flower in the garden of the Society, growing on a block, where it succeeds well. 

 According to Mr. Skinner, it thrives best in a temperature from 55° to C5°. Mr. 

 Brewster also sent cut flowers of Phycella ignea, a Chilian bulb, having beautiful 

 bright red flowers ; this is not hardy, but might possibly be made to succeed in 

 a dry border, if planted out at an early period, and protected by sand being laid 

 over the surface of the ground, the great fault of bulbs from that quarter being 

 their making an attempt to grow during our winter. From the same collection 

 was also a Cryptandra, having a fragrance somewhat resembling that of a Haw- 

 thorn ; a large silver medal was awarded for the Lselia superbiens. Mr. J. Ro- 

 bertson, gardener to Mrs. Lawrence, sent Phaius Wallichii, in good condition, 

 liaving large brown and white blossoms ; Oncidium Cavendishianum, that has 

 kept in bloom nearly five weeks; Hippeastrom aulicum, with large red flowers; 

 a variety of Cyrtochilum maculatum, and a large plant of Cymbiilium aloifolinm. 

 From the same collection were likewise Oncidium reflexum, a Maxillaria, with a 

 pale-coloured blossom ; Well-grown plants of Dendrobiuin Wallichii, and L>. pol- 

 ehellum, the latter twining gracefully over a globular trellis, filled with moss. 

 There was also Bletia havancnsis, with pretty purple blossoms, and a well-grown 

 plant of the brilliant scarlet-flowered Centradenia rosea, which has the good 

 propeity of being a very profuse bloomer. Mr. Robertson also sent Begonia 



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