Plate 25. 



CAMELLIA—SOUVENIR D'EMILE DEFRESNE. 



There is no flower more generally admired than the Camellia, and indeed when we 

 consider the perfection of its form, the substance of its petals, and the brilliant glossy- 

 character of its foliage, it seems to possess every requisite in a flower with the exception 

 of perfume. 



Although the Camellia is a hardy plant, and can be very easily grown, it is very often 

 badly treated, and, as a necessary consequence, is often seen in a very unhealthy con- 

 dition. It should be borne in mind that it is a plant that delights in a great deal of moisture 

 and shade, and that if these can be afforded it under proper conditions, it is sure to do well. 

 We are convinced that a great mistake is oftentimes made in overpotting and too frequently 

 potting the Camellia. We have ourselves plants from Belgium, grown in nothing but 

 vegetable mould in pots not more than seven inches across, and yet the plants must be 

 twelve or fourteen years old. Under the ordinary treatment they would receive in this 

 country, they would be in pots double the size ; it should be remembered that as it requires 

 a good deal of moisture, there must be no defect in drainage, or the water sours the roots. 



Souvenir d'Emile Defresne is one of the striped varieties, the colour a brilliant red, and 

 the stripes very distinct ; it has been exhibited several times, and our figure was taken from 

 a bloom obligingly sent to us by Mr. William Paul, of the Nurseries, Waltham Cross, by 

 whom it was exhibited in a very admirable collection shown by him at one of the spring 

 shows of the Eoyal Horticultural Society. 



Plate 2G. 

 ODONTOGLOSSUM DENISONiE. 



We have much pleasure in figuring this beautiful Orchid, which was exhibited by the 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society and obtained a first-class certificate. Lord Londesborough, from 

 whose splendid collection it came, is well known as a munificent patron of Orchids, and this 

 fine Odontoglossum has been named in compliment to Lady Londesborough. We are enabled 

 to add the following notes from Mr. Denning, his Lordship's able and intelligent gardener. 



" Odontoglossum Denisona is a supposed natural hybrid between 0. crispum and 0. histrix ; 

 it partakes of the latter variety in shape of flower and length of spike, also in the general 

 contour of the plant, and of the former variety in colour only ; in fact, it appears to be a 

 white histrix. It was imported amongst a batch of 0. Alexandra or crispum, by the Messrs. 

 Backhouse, of York, from whom Lord Londesborough secured it about three years ago. At 

 that time it only declared itself to be something distinct, but each succeeding year cultivation 

 has proved it to be a real acquisition. It will be observed that it unites also the variety 

 of crispum called Bluntii. 0. crispum is divided into two or more sections, of which — 

 First, 0. Alexandra is the most admired one: this is the variety having the pure white sepals 

 and petals with a white lip, an orange throat and various eccentric crimson markings; 

 in some varieties this form becomes as regular as a florist's flower is supposed to be. Second? 

 0. Bluntii is similar to 0. Alexandra, but the crimson markings are extended to the sepals 

 and petals. Third, 0. Andersoni, the markings in which are elongated, not round, as in the 

 two previous varieties, seeming to be a cross with 0. gloriosum. In the case of the variety 

 in question, it combines all the above peculiarities, with the exception of the 0. Andersoni 

 type. With the additional traits of 0. histrix or luteo-purpureum, in having branching spikes 

 of flowers and the peculiar long tapering sepals and petals of this latter variety, it also grows 

 much stronger than 0. crispum is usually seen to do." 



