Plate 97 . 
ROSE— EMPRESS OF INDIA (LAXTON). 
The pages of the Floral Magazine have for many years borne witness to the fact that 
we are endeavouring in this country to rival our French neighbours in the production of 
new Roses, as we have long since excelled them in the cultivation of those introduced from 
France. We look back with pride to the remembrance that John Hopper was illustrated in 
our pages long before it became known to the public as the grand rose that it is ; and we 
have from time to time recorded other successes of our English raisers. In this, the last 
English new rose, we have, we hope, a very fine addition to the high-coloured class of roses. 
Mr. Laxton has been long known as one of our most skilful and intelligent 
hybridizers, carrying out his operations in no haphazard manner, but on thoroughly sound 
principles, and he has been eminently successful in his attempts. His peas have made him 
famous amongst gardeners of every class, while his successes as a raiser of seedling roses 
have already gained him a claim on the gratitude of all rose growers. Annie Laxton is put 
forward as one of the most desirable introductions of recent years. 
It was somewhat curious that two roses of nearly similar character should have been 
exhibited on the same day at the Royal Horticultural Society, July 16tli — one from Thame, 
raised by Mr. J. Walker, and Empress of India. Both were awarded first-class certificates. 
Beauty of Thame has passed into the hands of Mr. Charles Turner, and Empress of India has 
become the property of Messrs. Paul and Son, of Cheshunt, by whom it will be distributed 
probably in the autumn of the present year. It is a remarkably high-coloured crimson 
rose, good form and substance. 
Plate 98 . 
TRICHOPILIA LEPIDA. 
This species of Orchids contains many most curious forms, while the manner in which 
the flowers are produced, springing as they do from the base of the pseudo-bulb, is very 
unusual. Many of the flowers are very beautiful, and in this more recent introduction 
we have a charming addition to those already in cultivation. 
As the different species are natives of Central America, they require the treatment of 
what is called a Mexican house, and being dwarf evergreen plants, they are best grown in 
pots. Owing to the peculiar way in which the flowers are produced at the base of the 
pseudo-bulb, it is necessary in potting to elevate the centre a good deal, and to keep all 
above the rim of the pot ; the flowers will then droop down gracefully over its sides. The 
form known as crispa is remarkably fine, a plant of it having been exhibited by Mr. 
Warner at the St. Petersburg International Exhibition, in 1S69, with upwards of a 
hundred flowers upon it. In cultivation it is necessary to bear in mind that water in excess 
at the roots is at all times most injurious. 
Trichopilia lepida was exhibited by Messrs. Veitch and Sons at the Royal Horticultural 
Society, in April of last year, and was awarded a first-class certificate. It was introduced 
from Costa Rica. Its appearance is very striking — pale lilac pink, margined with white, 
the centre lit up with orange ; the flowers are freely produced, but we do not know yet 
whether, like its congener, T. crispa , it will produce a double crop of bloom from the same 
bulbs. We are indebted to the Messrs. Veitch for the opportunity of figuring it. 
