THE FLORAL 



Dendrodium Wardianum bore seven, eight, and eleven 

 spikes respectively, some of them being over two feet in 

 length, and splendidly bloomed. D. luteolum, a 

 primrose yellow-flowered specie, introduced from Moul- 

 mein by the Rev. Mr. Parish some fifteen or sixteen'years 

 ago, was represented by a well-flowered plant growing 

 on a teak block. D. nobile ccerulescens had ten fine 

 spikes of its bluish violet-tinted flowers, and D. erassinode 

 grandiflorem, and D. erassinode Barberianum, were also 

 represented by freely flowered varieties of great 

 excellence. Odontoglossurn crispum (Alexandra?) came 

 next under notice in several varieties, one spike bearing 

 fourteen and another thirteen flowers ; and yet another, 

 the variety named roseum, with seven of its lovely rosy 

 lilac flowers. O. nebulosum pardinum had six flowers on 

 a spike ; and Maxillaria lepidota had five of its spurred - 

 like flowers. Phalrenopsis Schilleriana had a beautiful 

 spike of two dozen flowers ; and Masdevallia polysticta 

 seven spikes of white crimson-spotted blossoms. Coelo- 

 gyne conferta, white, with a yellow blotch on the lip, 

 was represented by a small plant ; a fine plant of 

 Cypripedium Boxallii bore eighteen grand blooms ; and 

 0. villosum was equally well shown. The late-flowering 

 varietur of Ceelogyne cristata, known as C. Lemoinei, was 

 shown in fine form, as also Odontoglossurn triumphans, 

 the pretty little O. roseum, with three spikes, one of 

 which had fourteen flowers ; O. Cervantesii, the lemon- 

 yellow Spathoglottis Lobbii, and Odontoglossurn Lind- 

 leyanum speciosum, &c.' J 



AURICULAS IN APRIL. 



They who grow a collection of this " beautiful and 

 fascinating flower' - ' will now find these plants becoming 

 very interesting indeed. They are moving on in a healthy, 

 active growth if they have been well attended to, and 

 the variations they present in the character of the leaf 

 foliage is only second to their beautiful flowers. We 

 would strongly advise any lover of flowers who has not 

 hitherto numbered the Auricula among his favourites to 

 visit and examine any known good collection about the 

 1st of May. Let him note the plants in respect of habit, 

 foliage, and bloom, and we have little doubt of his 

 arriving at the conclusion that a new pleasure awaits him 

 in the cultivation of this lovely tribe. With early and late 

 varieties, blooms may be had extending over a period of 

 nearly two months, to say nothing of the beautiful foliage 

 which is in perfection eight months out of the twelve. 

 Furthermore, we would advise those commencing to grow 

 the Auricula to make up their minds as soon as they are 

 in possession of anything like a select collection to become 

 a raiser of seedlings, and their delight will be increased a 



MAGAZINE. 



hundred-fold. Some one has remarked that every true 

 florist must be a raiser of seedlings. In the case of the 

 Auricula, the raiser of a first-rate variety has the satis- 

 faction of knowing it cannot become common in his 

 lifetime. Any one setting out with the intention of raising 

 seedlings should pursue this object as far as possible in a 

 scientific manner, for it is only by hybridising that any 

 one can hope to originate new varieties with improved 

 properties. In all attempts at crossing, it is best to 

 select two flowers of the same class, and strive to add to 

 a flower otherwise approximately perfect the qualities 

 necessary to bring it a stage or two nearer towards this 

 desired end. 



As we write Auriculas are growing fast, and are 

 becoming " truss bare/' and as the days lengthen and 

 become warmer and drier the supply of moisture must 

 be increased. The plants are now getting the advantage 

 of the top dressing, and as the trusses get above the 

 leaves the plants should be taken to the house in which 

 they are to bloom. As the pips expand some shade from 

 the sun will be necessary; and this is best done with a 

 thin white cloth, something in the way of tiffany. If 

 the frame or house can be covered on the outside, it is 

 best to do so; it can also be done on the inside by taking 

 proper precautions. When the trusses of bloom are 

 approaching perfection, they should be placed in an 

 .aspect to receive the morning sun only. On all favour- 

 able occasions, when the atmosphere is soft and warm, 

 plenty of air must be given ; but if cold northerly or 

 easterly winds prevail they should not be allowed to play 

 on the flowers. The plants should be turned round 

 occasionally for the purpose of causing them to grow 

 regularly on all sides ; the surface soil should be stirred, 

 the plants kept free from all decaying leaves ; and per- 

 fect cleanliness insured. It is these attentions that have 

 so much influence on the well-being of the plants. 



WHITE LILAC. 



A correspondent of The Garden demonstrates how 

 White Lilac can be had at this season of the year. " We 

 have," he remarks, " lately cut this in great quantities, 

 and of the purest white. We dig up large bushes, 

 eight or nine feet high, of the common large flowered 

 purple kind, with good balls, and set them in corners 

 of early vineries and peach houses. A temporary box 

 of bricks is constructed for enclosing soil round their 

 roots. They are kept syringed and watered, like other 

 occupants of the houses, and with the exception of the 

 partial shade obtained from the vine leaves, they have 

 had all the light that there has been. The branches 

 have been tied up to economise space, and, thus bundled 

 together, they have looked like pillars of snow. Lilac 

 produced in this way is preferable to that grown in dark- 

 ness, as the foliage is of its natural colour, and in the 

 case of flowers, even for table decoration, there is no- 

 thing like their own foliage for garnishing." 



