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T3B QARDENERg* CHRONICLE. 



[IJECESrBER 22, 1SSS. 



lip is narrower than in Dendrobium cariniferura, 

 mid-lacinia protruded, cuneate, obovate, emarginate, 

 apiculate, toothed on the borders without the slightest 

 vestige of hairs, or of the strong asperities which are 

 so abundant on the inner surface of the lip of Den- 

 drobium cariniferum. The colour of the flowers of 

 the last-named plant is white with mentum and tips 

 of the sepals, side-lacinise and disc ochre-coloured. 

 My variety, lateritium, kindly sent me by Mr. F. 

 Sander in 1883, has the discs of the lip brick-red. 



The Kew plant is stated by Sir Joseph Hooker 

 to have been sent by Dr. Watt, F.L.S., from 

 Munipore. 



I may be permitted to suggest the possibility of the 

 plant being a hvbrid between Dendrobium Jamesia- 

 num, Kchb. f.,and D. flexuosum, Griff. H.G.Iichb.f. 



DEVONHUEST, CHISWICK. 



This, the pretty suburban residence of E. H. Watts, 

 Esq., will long be a famous spot, it having formed at 

 one time a part of the Arboretum of the Horticul- 

 tural Society in its early days when its collectors 

 sent home the rare, beautiful, and fine trees, which 

 now enrich our collections, such trees as probably 

 will not be found in a place of its extent (11 acres) 

 elsewhere in the country. I will note some of the 

 more striking specimens observed on the occasion of 

 a recent visit to the place. On the west side of the 

 house stands a Mahaleb Cherry, one of the finest 

 specimens in the country. It has a large spreading 

 head, and its branches sweep the ground ; its height 

 is 35 feet, 50 feet through the branches, the principal 

 of which are bound together with iron rods. When in 

 flower, it is entirely covered with its beautifully 

 scented white flowers, and forms a fine object. On 

 the south side of the house are fine specimens of 

 Beeches— purple, and the cut-leaved (Fagus Byl- 

 vatica incisa). The trees have had plenty of room 

 in which to develope, and are now grand specimens, 

 from 60 to 70 feet in height. 



A little further south is a fine variety of the 

 Copper Beech, which ia the early summer presents 

 a great contrast to the foliage of the surrounding 

 trees. Adjoining the Beech trees on the lawn is a 

 fine symmetrical specimen of the Horse Chestnut, 

 about 70 feet in height. In close company is also 

 found a fine example of iEsculus rubicunda, about 

 45 feet high, with a dense round head. The tree 

 flowers freely, generally producing large quantities 

 of fruit. A little to the south of the last mentioned 

 is a tree of Ailautus glandulosa, about 70 feet in 

 height. It is branched out in three main stems 

 close to the ground. Adjoining is a notable group 

 of three trees of Gleditschia — G. triacanthos is the 

 tallest, being about 60 feet in height. This tree 

 generally produces fruit freely every season, but this 

 year has proved an exception to the rule. When in 

 fruit, it forms a very ornamental tree, its long pods 

 being very conspicuous when the sun is shining ; G. 

 sinensis Is about 30 feet in height — this, when in 

 flower, emits a strong perfume, somewhat resembling 

 that of Mignonette, the stem of the tree is thickly 

 covered with long prickly spines, giving it a dis- 

 tinctive aspect ; G. sinensis inermis, 35 feet high — 

 the flowers of this are incomplete, therefore produc- 

 ing no fruit. 



A fine group of eight Fraxinus next attract atten- 

 tion, F. angustifolius, being the tallest, about 55 feet 

 in height. Near here is a good specimen of Finns 

 Pallasiana, which, with a good specimen of the 

 Scotch Fir, about 70 feet in height, are nearly all 

 the Conifers which have survived the London fog 

 and smoke. But it may be remembered that Cedrus 

 Libani and C. atlantica are exceptions, and grow 

 fairly well here— the last named generally coning 

 freely : this year, however, it has not done so. 



Near some Ash trees are two Oaks planted close 

 together — Quercus cerris fulhamensis, and Q. c. 

 fulhamensis latifolia. Curiously enough, the last 

 named retains its leaves in a withered state until 

 spring. Close by here is a specimen of Pyrus sorbus, 

 about 55 feet in height, which generally produces fruit 

 freely. Along the south side of the grounds are some 

 large trees of Pavia rubra, P. flava, and P. caruea, 



The stocks (common Horse Chestnut) these are 

 worked on have grown much larger than the scions. 

 There are also some Elms which have attained con- 

 siderable dimensions. TJlmus campestris foliis 

 variegatis sends up its variegated suckers freely at 

 a considerable distance from the main stem. On 

 the east side of the ground are fine large Elms, 

 including varieties of U. montana and campestris, 

 the highest being about 80 feet. Here also are a few 

 fine trees of Tilia alba, which, when the wind is 

 blowing, forms a pleasing object in the landscape, 

 the silvery under-side of the leaf looking very pretty 

 as it is turned up by the wind. 



In this quarter, too, we find some good specimens 

 of the Oak, there being over two dozen varieties — 

 Q. cerris, Q. peduncularis, Q. sessiliflora, Q. Ilex, Q. 

 suber, &c, all forming large trees. Towards the 

 lawn tennis ground are some fine Maples, including 

 Acer Pseudo-platanus.the golden Acer (or Corstophine 

 Plane), remarkably pretty in early spring, with its 

 golden-yellow foliage, showing to great advantage 

 amongst the surrounding sombre foliage. A. p. -p. 

 variegata, A. heterophyllum, A. macrophyllum, a 

 noble example, being 72 feet high, 10 feet in girth, 

 diameter of spread of branches, 60 feet ; A. monspes- 

 sulanum, A. palmatum, A. platanoides, and the 

 Ash-leaved Maple. A. negundo fraxinifolium, which 

 has a spread of branches 66 feet though. Here is 

 also a fine specimen of the Butter Nut (Cary amora), 

 also two fine clumps of Quercus Ilex, and a good 

 specimen of the Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). Close 

 by the house is a very handsome tree of the Sweet 

 Chestuut. 



Along the east side of the grounds is a deep belt 

 of evergreen and flowering shrubs, and amongst 

 them are planted standard trees of Apples and Plums, 

 which, when in flower, produce a most pleasing 

 effect, and when in fruit are likewise very orna- 

 mental, to say nothing of their use. This idea 

 might advantageously be followed in similar 

 positions in a great many more instances than at 

 present appears to be the fashion. 



Regarding Apples, we noted a nice quarter of 

 young pyramids on the Paradise stock, planted about 

 four years, showing flower-buds remarkably well. 



The attractions of Devonhurst are not wholly 

 confined to the outdoor department. There is a nice 

 range of glass. Mr. Watts is taking up the culti- 

 vation of Orchids. The Cattleyas are looking very 

 healthy, and are showing well for flower. Cypri- 

 pediums.Odontoglossums, Lselias, &c, give a welcome 

 glow of colour. 



Foliage plants are well done. A good table plant 

 is Aralia Chabrierii, a charming show species, repre- 

 sented here by an extremely graceful example. It 

 only remains to be added that the place is under the 

 excellent management of Mr. Alexander Wright. B. 



[We are indebted to Mr. Wright for the following 

 measurements of trees in this garden : — Quercus 

 suber : height, 35 feet ; girth of stem, 6 feet 6 inches ; 

 spread of branches, 40 feet. Q. sessiliflora, 60 — 

 65 feet; girth, 7 feet 6 inches. Q. Ilex var. latifolia, 

 38 feet ; spread, 55 leet. Acer Negundo, 40 feet ; 

 girth, at 4 feet, 6 feet 9 inches ; spread, 66 feet. 

 A. monspessulanum, 30 feet ; girth, 5 feet; spread, 

 45 feet. Cedrus Libani, 50 feet ; girth, 5 feet 6 inches ; 

 spread, 40 feet. C. atlantica, 52 feet ; girth, 4 feet. 

 Pinus Pallasiana, 60 feet. TJlmus campestris, 85 feet ; 

 girth, 9 feet. Pavia flava, 45 feet ; girth, 5.} feet. Ed.] 



Orchid Notes and Gleanings. 



L^ELIA AUTUMNALIS. 

 A remarkable and very handsome monster of 

 Lailia autumnalis has been sent me by Mr. John 

 Cowan, manager of the Liverpool Horticultural Co., 

 Garston, near Liverpool, to report upon, with the 

 information that the flower is the only one produced 

 by the plant, which is an imported one, now flower- 

 ing for the first time in this country. Its peculiarity 

 consists in the fact that the dorsal sepal is wholly 

 united with the back of the column, for the whole 

 length of the latter, and in a very singular manner 

 too ; while the lip and remaining segments are quite 

 normally developed. The column is of the usual 

 size, and the anther quite perfect, but there is a 

 dorsal keel-like growth throughout its length, to 

 which the sepal is attached along the central line. 

 The sepal itself is also very peculiar. It can best be 

 described by saying that there is a second super- 



numerary sepal, three-fourths as long as the ordinary 

 one, and correspondingly narrower, in front of the 

 ordinary sepal : and, like the column, only adnate to 

 it along its central line. It extends beyond the 

 column half-way to the apex of the ordinary sepal, in 

 this part its margin being quite straight, but from 

 the apex of the column downwards the margin on 

 either side is strongly and regularly crispo-undulate, 

 into about seven folds, like a goffered frill, as it would 

 be termed in the laundry. This supernumerary 

 growth, which is coloured like the sepal, is doubtless 

 analogous to the corona of Narcissus. It is pro- 

 bably a case of accidental union of organs, rather 

 than a permanent one. 



Catasetum tabuxare (Lindl.) var. serrulata, Schb.f. 

 A flower of this remarkable Catasetum has been 

 forwarded to me by Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, of 

 Chelsea, for identification ; and proves to be the 

 above-named, of which a figure may be found at t. 

 1223 of the Gartenflora. The expanse of flower is 

 over 2.} inches, the narrow sepals very pallid green, 

 the petals broader, and densely puncticulate, with 

 pale purple-brown on a pale green ground. The lip 

 is a highly remarkably organ, in colour somewhat 

 like tbe petals but paler ; with a conical spur under- 

 neath, and a very large fleshy crest on the front and 

 centre, to which the name tabulare applies. In this 

 variety the margin of the lip is serrulate, and the 

 crest smooth and of a light cream colour ; while in 

 the type the same organ is more rugose and hairy, 

 and the whole flower of a darker colour. The 

 arrangements for effecting fertilization are, in the 

 male (for the female is, I believe, at present 

 unknown) exceedingly remarkable. The great table- 

 like crest serves as a landing-stage for the insect ; 

 one antenna is curved round at the base of the 

 column, and doubtless functionless as in several 

 others with a similar arrangement ; while the 

 other stands forward in the mouth of the spur, ready 

 at the moment that the insect tries to push its head 

 inside, to convey the stimulus to the anther, and 

 precipitate the pollinium on to the shoulders of the 

 insects. Will none of our great importers look out 

 for the females of this singular genus ? 



L.ELTA Crawshayana, Sctib.f. 

 This beautiful plant was described as probably a 

 natural hybrid between L. albida and L. anceps or 

 L. autumnalis. Some time ago I received a flower 

 said to be an authentic one, on which point I am 

 quite satisfied ; and I then thought its hybrid 

 character probable, the plant having the general 

 appearance of L. albida, with the colour of L. 

 autumnalis, though I could not And the slightest trace 

 of L. anceps blood in it. I have now received a 

 three-flowered peduncle from Baron Schroder, The 

 Dell, Egham, Surrey, through Messrs. Veitch & Sons, 

 of Chelsea, and I am inclined to think it is only a 

 most beautiful rose-coloured form of L. albida. The 

 shape of the segments and lip, and even the yellow 

 crest, appear quite identical, while the approach to 

 L. autumnalis is in colour only. Other rose- 

 coloured forms of L. albida are known, if. A. Solfe. 



Maxiliaria grandiflora. 



Numerous as the species of Maxiliaria are, very 

 few of them find a place in collections outside 

 botanic gardens. There are, however, some eight or 

 nine which will well repay cultivation, and of these, 

 with the exception of M. Sanderiana, the above is 

 probably the best. It very much resembles M. 

 venusta both in habit and shape of flower, but it is 

 superior to that species in not developing its flowers 

 face downwards, so that they cannot be properly seen 

 unless lifted up. The flat, two-edged pseudobulbs 

 bear single, leathery, dark green leaves, 12 to 14 

 inches long. The flowers are produced singly on 

 erect scapes 6 inches long, and measures 3} inches 

 long, and measure 3k inches in diameter. The 

 sepals and petals are pure white, and firm in tex- 

 ture, the latter being smaller than the sepals, 

 and recurved. The side-lobes of the lip are erect, 

 and rosy-purple, the triangular front Jobe being of a 



