514 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ December 26, 1S72. 



forme, Calanthe vestita rnbra, Cypripediurus, Oncidiurns, &o., 

 filled-in with red and white Camellias, Heaths, Violets, red 

 white, and yellow Eoses, Daphne indica alba, Azaleas, Migno- 

 nette, Jasniinum Sambac, Double Primulas, &c, the whole 

 edged with the brilliant scarlet Poinsettia, which, lying on a 

 margin of softest green, composed of Adiantnm farleyense and 

 Gieichenia spelnnea:, had a beautiful effect. The border was 

 of Brussels point lace of an elegant and costly pattern, and 

 the back was formed of tulle and white satin, corded with silk, 

 and richly ornamented with gold fasteners. The floral de- 

 corations of the Boyal reception and retiring rooms were also 

 entrusted to Mr. Cooling, whose ample resources and well- 

 known taste produced an effect at once rich and charming. 

 We do not remember to hare seen anything more chaste than 

 the arrangement of the three epergnes with flowers and Ferns. 

 A large j ardinet with a mirror at back filled with choice Dracaenas, 

 Heaths, Adiantums, Poinsettias, &c, added greatly to the 

 appearance of the room, and various ornamental stands were 

 occupied by specimen plants in China vases. The whole of the 

 floral decorations at the Infirmary were by Mr. Cooling. Many 

 hundred fine plants were used, and the effect was very good. 



NOTES ON DENDROBIUM".— No. 3. 



Dendrobium Loicii, from Borneo, is one of the rarest as well 

 as one of the most curious and interesting species. In growth 

 it somewhat resembles D. lougicornu, although quite distinct. 

 The stems are erect, about 12 inches high, and, together with 

 the leaves, covered with minute black hairs, which give the 

 whole a very dark green appearance. The flowers are produced 

 near the top of the growth, and are of a bright yellow, with 

 red markings on the uppier portion of the lip, which, like the 

 stem, is furnished with small hairs ; these are red at the base, 

 passing to yellow at their tops. The spur resembles that of a 

 common garden Nasturtium. Altogether it is a peculiar, re- 

 markable, and desirable species, which should be placed in all 

 good collections, but it is difficult to obtain. 



D. chrysotis, from Assam, is an extremely showy and at- 

 tractive species, with pendant growths from 3 to 4 feet long. 

 It has a close resemblance to D. fimbriatum, although a decided 

 rival to that variety. The flowers are produced in racemes of 

 seven, eight, or more on its leafy rod-like stems, and measure 

 about 2 inches across. They are of a rich deep yellow ; the 

 lip has two dark blotches at the base, and the margins are 

 beautifully fringed. A splendid specimen of this flowered a 

 short time ago in the rich collection of exotics at Manley Hall, 

 Manchester. To show the flowers to perfection, it should be 

 grown in a hanging pan or basket. 



D. crassinode, from Moulmein, is a very distinct species, 

 having stout upright growths from 6 inches to 2 feet long, 

 furnished with knotted joints or nodes, from which it takes its 

 name. The flowers are produced from these nodes, are about 

 2 inches in diameter, pure white tipped with purple, the lip 

 having a rich orange centre. It is said to be found growing 

 on trees at an elevation of 2500 feet, where the moisture is 

 considerable. It blooms during the summer months, lasting 

 a considerable time in perfection. 



D. Dalhousianum, from India, is a most beautiful evergreen 

 species, the noble growths often attaining the length of 7 or 

 S feet. It produces its pale lemon-coloured flowers from the 

 old growths in the early part of summer ; the lip has a pink 

 margin, with two dark crimson spots in the centre. Specimens 

 of this are extremely beautiful when in flower, and make fine 

 exhibition plants. At Blackburn during the past year Mr. 

 Yaxley, gardener to Capt. Shaw of that place, exhibited a spe- 

 cimen with 440 blooms each 4J inches in diameter, several 

 racemes bearing as many as fourteen flowers. Such specimens 

 as that here referred to are, however, scarce. 



D. infundibulum , from Moulmein, is one of very diminutive 

 size as compared to the foregoing, although not of less beauty. 

 It is somewhat allied to*D. formosum, but rivals it in splen- 

 dour. The stems are slender and erect, from 1 to 2 feet long, 

 the flowers being produced from near the top on the old as 

 well as on the present year's growths, in colour ivory white. 

 The petals are broad, with prominent veinous markings, which 

 give them a great resemblance to the wing of a white butterfly, 

 the Up having a yellow blotch ; this, together with the tapering 

 funnel-shaped spur, renders it an extremely interesting species. 

 Many people do not succeed well in its culture. At Fernie- 

 hurst, in a cool house, it grows vigorously suspended from the 

 roof in a hanging basket filled with good fibrous peat, sphag- 

 num moss, and a free admixture of sand. Last summer it 



produced as many as eleven flowers at one time ; and the fact 

 of their lasting in perfection for six weeks or even more, 

 greatly enhances its value. 



D. formosum giganteum. — This splendid variety is somewhat 

 similar to the above, except that it is stouter and more robust 

 in growth. The flowers last in beauty about the same time. 

 It is very desirable. 



D. longicornu, India. Of this there are two varieties, the 

 best, perhaps, being majus. It is not quite so strong in growth 

 as the last-named. Its flowers, however, are produced from 

 the tops of the growths, which are white, the lip having a yellow 

 centre, and also being fringed. It blooms about June, and if 

 placed in a cool house will last a considerable time in perfection. 



D. transparens, India. This is a splendid species, having 

 so soft and delicate an appearance that it cannot fail to prove 

 a general favourite. It is somewhat sub-erect, and the flowers 



Dendrobium transparens. 



are produced in pairs nearly the whole of its length ; they are 

 rather small, of a pinkish lilac colour, the lip stained with a 

 deep blotch of crimson. It blooms during the summer months, 

 and succeeds well in a hanging pan. 



D. albo-sanguinetim, Moulmein. — This is a very compact 

 and lovely species, growing about 1 foot high. The flowers 

 are produced from near the top, creamy white, broken with 

 markings of pink, the lip having a crimson blotch in the centre. 

 It is a very distinct and beautiful Orchid, and, like the last, is 

 best grown in a hanging pan, where it will require an abundant 

 supply of moisture during the growing season. It blooms 

 during summer, and lasts for some time in perfection. 



D. chrysanthum, India. — It is almost impossible to imagine 

 a plant more chaste and elegant in appearance than this when 

 in flower. It is a strong and robust grower, producing pen- 

 dulous growths usually about 3 or 4 feet long, although under 

 liberal treatment it will often attain the length of 5 or 6 feet, 

 producing its rich golden yellow flowers for about two-thirds 

 its length, having in some cases as many as eighty blooms on 

 one growth, which, being backed with dark green foliage, pre- 

 sent a very pleasing appearance. It is one of the oldest and 

 also one of the most attractive Dendrobes we have. As soon 

 as the flowers fade it commences to show signs of activity, 

 when it should be placed in the warm house, and have a plentiful 

 supply of water till growth is completed ; it may then be re- 

 moved to a cooler temperature to produce its lovely blooms, 

 which it will do about July or August. — C. J. White. 



CAMELLIAS FOE AUTUMN FLOWERING. 

 Excepting in gardens where there are large and varied col- 

 lections of plants, there is a certain interval of time in autumn 

 when the gardener finds greater difficulty than at any other 

 time to meet successfully a large demand for flowering plants 

 and cut flowers. This interval generally extends from the first 



