March 31, 1863.] 



JOURNAL OF HOEXICTJLXUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



245 



ABIDES MACTTLOSUM, tab. SCHECEDERI. 



Description. — An epiphytal berb with broadly strap-shaped, 

 obttie, and deeply emarginate oblique leaves, and a pendent, 

 open, many-flowered panicle. Flowers very delicate, the sepals and 

 lateral petals almost alike, obovate and obtuse, spreading, white 

 tinged with lilac, and spotted with 

 lilac rose. Labellum consisting 

 of a pouch-like base, prolonged 

 downwards into a slender arched 

 spur, bordered above by a small 

 tooth on each side, between which 

 is a bifid tubercle ; the middle 

 lobe of the lip is, at first, sud- 

 denly expanded, then contracting 

 from an angle on each side to a 

 somewhat obtuse point, forming, 

 thus, a narrow triangular-rhom- 

 boid limb, with the sides deflexed ; 

 the middle lobe pale lilac marked 

 with rose, deepest at the base; 

 the spur gradually shaded into 

 bright yellowish-green. 



History, l{c. — This plant seems 

 to bear a close resemblance to 

 jErides maculosum, from which 

 it can hardly be specifically dis- 

 tinct, although in the shape of 

 the lateral teeth of the lip, and 

 inthe bifid tubercle between them, 

 it appears to differ slightly. Con- 

 sidering the much greater differ- 

 ence between the other species, we 

 prefer to regard this as a varietv. 

 —A. H. 



For an opportunity of figuring 

 this very beautiful plant we are 

 indebted to J. H. Schroder, Esq., 

 of Stratford Green, Essex, in 

 whose unique collection of Orchids 

 it has blossomed several times, 

 and by wLom the following 

 particulars are supplied: — "I 

 purchased it at Mr. Stevens's 

 sale, Covent Garden, being part of a small importation from the 

 hills near Bombay. My attention was directed to it by its very 

 distinct habit, and the remains of a flower-spike from every leaf. 

 We have flowered it now for three years, and each year finer than 

 the preceding, and should we be fortunate enough to attain its 



native flowering habit, I need not sbt what a magnificent thing it 

 will be. It appears to be a hybrid between iErides crispum and 

 maculosum, and on that account I value it the more, as I do not 

 think it is eo likely to be intr duced again." 



Culture. — The following is the 

 treatment recommended by Mr. 

 Goode : — The plants belonging 

 to this lovely genus, to grow them 

 to perfection, require to be placed, 

 in the growing season, in the 

 warmest and most humid part of 

 the Orchid-house ; and, in addi- 

 tion to the moisture suspended 

 in the atmosphere, to be liberally 

 syringed daily with tepid soft 

 water. When, however, the plants 

 are first imported, they must be 

 thoroughly washed, both root, 

 branch, and foliage, for until they 

 are cleared of all kinds of filth 

 it will be found impossible to 

 grow them to anything like per- 

 fection. Kustic baskets, or pots 

 with perforated sides, are the most 

 suitable to grow them in, and the 

 compost used should be very 

 fibrous peat and sphagnum moss, 

 liberally intermixed with charcoal 

 in large and email pieces ; press 

 the compost close together, and to 

 make sure that the plants are firm 

 in the pots, use a few pegs to 

 hold the soil together. Suspend 

 the pot or basket close to the 

 glass, and take care to keep a 

 mild atmosphere at all times, and 

 the plants when once established 

 will then grow with great free- 

 dom. Water liberally, and shade 

 in very sunny weather, and 

 take care that the plants are not 

 broiled by a too free admission 

 of air in immediate contact with them. When the growth 

 is completed, and more especially after they begin to show 

 bloom, they may be kept comparatively dry, but they must 

 not at any time be subjected to a low temperature. — (A. in 

 Gardener's Magazine of Bo'any.) 



EDINBURGH HOETICULTUEAX SOCIETY. 



This Society held its first Exhibition of flowers and fruit for 

 the present year on March the 18th, in the Music Hall, George 

 Street. The striking contrast with regard to the weather which 

 marked the present occasion, as compared with that which 

 occurred at the first Exhibition last year, affords a striking proof 

 of the fickleness of our climate. Last year it was a day of cold 

 drizzling Bleet and rain ; on this occasion, although ushered in 

 with a pinch of frost, the day was all that the most fastidious 

 conld wish for in March — a day of calm and sunshine. On such 

 conditions depends to a large extent the success of a flower show, 

 both in a financial point of view to the Society, and to the public 

 in the amount of pleasure and instruction afforded by the 

 inspection of so many of Nature's gems, and the intelligent skill 

 which such meetings bring together. The collections of plants, 

 and particularly Hyacinths, though less numerous than on some 

 former occasions, particularly that of last year, were abundantly 

 numerous and first-rate in quality, and afforded a most enjoyable 

 feast of floral beauty to the perfect crush of the elite of Edinburgh 

 and its environs which thronged the hall both afternoon and 

 evening. 



Before passing on to notice in det-ail the objects which were 

 exhibited, we cannot refrain from expressing great regret that 

 several of the leading nursery firms did not contribute a single 

 object on this occasion. This, of course, told to some extent on 

 the general appearance of the Exhibition, although the more than 

 usual excellence and number of objects contributed by private 

 growers, and one or two of the Edinburgh firms, fortunately 



served to make up for the absence of those whose interest we 

 would suppose it was to contribute on such occasions. There 

 was nothing. from the gigantic concern of the Messrs. Lawson, of 

 Golden Acres, nothing from the Messrs. Dickson & Sons, next 

 to nothing from Mr. Methven, of Teith Walt. Surely this is 

 not to be their rule on future occasions, as none we conceive 

 have more inducement to contribute to the prosperity of a 

 horticultural society, nor more interest in fostering and fanning 

 the love of flowers and fruits. Nothing but emulation and the 

 exciting influence of competition could have brought gardening 

 to its high state of perfection : withdraw this influence, and we 

 would venture to predict a speedy flagging of the pace of im- 

 provement. Nor is this principle by any means confined to the 

 science of culture ; it is alike applicable to the existence, health, 

 and vigorous action of societies. Let us hope that these great- 

 nursery establishments will in future see matters to be as we 

 have iudieated, and that our next Show at the same place will be 

 favoured with their aid to a liberal extent. 



Messrs. Carstairs & Sons contributed a unique collection of 

 flowering-plants such as they grow (or sale, which occupied the 

 whole of a table which stretched entirely across one end of the 

 large hall. It consisted chiefly of forced Geraniums, Azaleas, 

 Cytisus, Camellias, Lily of the Valley (exceedingly well grown), 

 Fairy Eoses, Cinerarias, Ealmias, a large number of well-grown 

 Hyacinths, and other bulbous plants, some half-dozen very 

 chastely got-up bridal and hand bouquets. Altogether this was 

 a most creditable collection, and had a fine effect at the end of 



