September 22, 1870. ] 



JOUENAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



223 



Singly; sepals nd petals linear-lanceolate, white suffused 

 with pale rose ; lip of the same colour, fringed at the upper 

 part, and traversed by six fringed parallel lines ; between each 

 of these lines is a streak of rich crimson. This lovely plant 



Pleione hmnilis. 



is in full beauty in the very depth of winter, and no collection 

 should be without it. Native of Nepal. 



P. Walliohiana.— In this species the pseudo-bulbs are some- 

 what different from those of the preceding, being elevated into 

 a narrow point at the top, dark green and beautifully spotted 

 with purplish crimson. Flowers very brilliant ; sepals and 

 petals rich bright rose ; lip plaited, toothed at the point, of the 

 same colour as the sepals, streaked inside with white and 

 yellow, and splashed with crimson. This is a more attractive 

 kind than the preceding, flowering usually early in spring— that 

 is, from February to April. Native of the Himalavas. 



P. macdlata.— The pseudo-bulbs are about 2 inches high 

 and of a uniform dark green, the leaves in all the kinds being 

 nearly of the same Bize. Sepals and petals oval and acute 

 pure white; lip white, blotched with yellow in the centre^ 

 where there are several crested parallel lines, and streaked with 

 crimson in front. The charming flowers of this species are 

 produced late in autumn. Native of Khasia. 



P. lagenaria.— This is a gem amongst gems. The pseudo- 

 bulbs are distinct from any other species, being flask-shaped 



Pleione lagenaria. 



with a peculiar overlapping neck. The flowers are large and 

 solitary ; sepals and petals narrow, deep rose colour ; lip very 



large, waved at the margins, white variegated with yellow and 

 rich purple. It flowers profusely during the depth of winter. 

 Native of the Himalayas. 



P. Hookeeiana. — At present thiB is somewhat rare in cul- 

 tivation and difficult to obtain true. The pseudo-bulbs are 

 from 2 to 4 inches long, ovate, smooth, and in colour bright 

 green. Its leaves are dark green, and remain perfect until 

 after the blooming season, considerably enhancing its beauty 

 and rendering it very distinct from all the other members of 

 the genus. Flowers large ; sepals and petals oblong and 

 pointed, rich bright rose ; lip white suffused with rosy pink. 

 A most elegant plant, flowering during the late autumn and 

 early winter months. Native of Sikkim at great elevations. 



P. Reichenbachiana. — This is a species of recent intro- 

 duction, and which I have not yet had the pleasure of growing ; 

 judging, however, from its native habitat, I expect a greater 

 amount of heat will be necessary to develope its beauty than 

 is required by species from cooler regions. The pseudo-bulbs 

 are between 2 and 3 inches high, bottle-shaped, with an obtuse 

 top ; ground colour deep green beautifully netted with brown 

 lines. Flowers upwards of 2 inches in diameter ; sepals and 

 petals pale rose margined with white ; lip white streaked and 

 spotted with light purple, and crested on the centre. It blooms 

 late in autumn and early in winter, and was introduced to this 

 country from the mountains of Arracan.— Experto Crede. 



WORK FOR THE WEEK. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Pay every attention to the autumn Broccoli, also to autumn 

 and winter Lettuces, watering them with liquid manure to make 

 them crisp, and tying them up in regular succession. Let 

 covering-up for blanching Celery and Endive proceed frequently. 

 Brown and Bath Cos Lettuce, as well as the Hardy Hammer- 

 smith Cabbage Lettuce for early spring ubo, Bhould now be 

 pricked out, especially if becoming what is technically termed 

 "proud." Cut away all superfluous shoots on Tomatoes, and if 

 the plants are gross chop away a portion of their roots. 



FRUIT GARDEN. 



Look frequently over fruit remaining out of doors and gather 

 it as it becomes fit, as if allowed to become over-ripe it will be 

 liable to be blown down and bruised should high winds occur ; 

 also examine frequently that stored in the fruit room, as a few 

 decaying fruit will occasionally be found for a few weeks after 

 housing, and they should be removed as soon as they can be 

 perceived. Keep the fruit room cool and airy, in order to allow 

 of the escape of moisture given off by the fruit ; the amount is 

 considerable for a few weeks at first. Occasionally examine 

 Plums or any other fruit protected by covering, to see that 

 they are not spoiling. Where it is intended to make any fresh 

 plantations of fruit trees this season the ground should be 

 prepared at the earliest opportunity, and any fresh soil to be 

 used for planting should be thoroughly exposed to the action 

 of the weather so as to have it in a mellow state when wanted. 

 If not already done clean and dress Strawberry plantations, 

 clearing away all useless runners and giving a good dressing of 

 manure where necessary, but be careful to select that which i& 

 thoroughly decayed, and which can be covered without the 

 necessity of deep digging or injuring the roots. 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



The weather has lately been most favourable for the flower 

 garden ; the masses of colour are most brilliant, and, but for 

 the falling of the leaves, we might deceive ourselves into the 

 impression that summer is at its height, yet in a few more 

 days we may anticipate a nipping frost which will lay prostrate 

 the glories of our flower gardens. As there are many plants 

 of which it will bo desirable to preserve some of the old stock 

 for flowering next year, it will be necessary that they should 

 be potted in well-drained pots and placed in close pits till some- 

 what established. There are these advantages in preserving old 

 plants, that they cover more space, and flower earlier and more 

 abundantly than young ones. Finish all propagation. Let all 

 plants be secured from frost and placed in their winter quarters, 

 if not already done. Now is the time to plant out young hardy 

 Conifers ; they will establish themselves before winter. Finish 

 pruning and regulating your shrubberies. I recommend an 

 annual pruning and thinning as conducive to high order. The 

 late Mr. Loudon was of opinion that every shrub in a garden 

 should be a specimen of its kind, and coined for this style the 

 term gardenesque, in contradistinction to the picturesque of 



