TnU IIOllTICHLTURAL SOCIKTY S GARDEN. 
MS 

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the brcadtli of feature of the lawn, and fixing the eye in anything but an agreeable way ; besides, 
they are rounded so much, that to walk upon them in comfort, it is necessary that one leg should be 
longer than the other. We are, and always have been, advocates for shallow edgings, and walks brim 
full of gravel ; but we have no notion of placing them entirely above the level of the sui'rounding 
ground — such an arrangement is nnneeessary ; walks may be made firm, and di-y without it, if proper 
means are taken, and drains are formed to carry away the water. 
But we must leave this unpleasant part of the subject and hurry on to the plant -houses, for these 
at this season, are the most interesting, and from them we have borrowed a few illustrations. 
Most people who take an interest in hoi'ticultural affairs, have heard of the magnificent specimens of 
Phalfenopsis aniabilis, sent by Mr. Fortune, from Java ; and of Mr. Hai'tweg's splendid mass of Lajlia 
superbiens, which has long decorated the entrance to the curvilinear stove. Another plant, scarcely 
less remarkable, was Dendi'obium speciosum growing in the old Pine stove. 
The Phalasnopsls aniabilis, is represented on a preceding page. It is growing upon a large 
block of wood, and, at the time we saw it, had neaiiy fifty of its large waxy pure white flowers 
fully developed, withhmidi'cds of buds in various stages of gro\\'th. The plant was suspended from the 
rafter, at the cool end of the house ; and, as a matter of course, was in superb health. In the same 
house — the Orchid house, which, by the way, is very much too small to do justice to the plants it contains, 
wc also noticed Dendrobium discolor, a not very attractive species, from New Holland, and of coarse 
"'"'^vM 
5# 
J>ENDEOBIUM SPECIOSUM. 
growth ; D. eueuUatum with pendent pseudo-bulbs and simple but gay flowers ; and a remarkably 
fine variety of Oncidium Cavendishianium. It has rarely been om- pleasm-e to see a collection of Orchids 
in such splendid condition as these are at the present time. Not an unhealthy plant is to be seen ; and 
every part of the plants, the stages, pots, and house are as clean as the most fastidious could desii'e. The 
same remark is applicable to the whole of the plant-houses, which were gay with flowers, as if it had 
been May-day, and the whole of the plants were in a remarkablj' clean and healthy condition, reflecting 
great credit upon Mr. Gordon, who has now had the charge of them for several years. 
Passing through the Greenhouse, gaj' with forced bulbs, &e., and entering the Cm-vilineai- Stove 
the monstrous plant of Lcelia superbiens presented a most gorgeous appearance, rivetting the attention, 
and bidding the wondering wanderer stand. Those who have been at the great metropolitan exhibitions 
have seen gorgeous sights in the Orchid tents, but they never saw anything so truly and decidedly 
grand as tliis noble plant. Suspended upon a huge branch, just at the proper height to bring the 
flowers upon a level with the head of the spectator on entering the house, the flowers were shown to 
great advantage. Tliis plant, which is of great size, came originally from Guatemala, whence it was 
sent by the Society's collector, Mr. Hartwcg ; and there the poor Indians collect the flowers to decorate 
theii' cottages. The plant in question is six feet in diameter, and the flower stems were nine feet in 
height, of which there were nine averaging ten flowers each, and each of the flowers were several 
inches in diameter, and of a mixtm-e of white, lilac, crimson, and orange colom-s. The engraving (p. 148) 
gives a reduced, but very good representation of the plant ; and when it is considered that each ti-uss 
of flowers would cover nearly two pages of this jNIagazine, some idea may be formed of the magnificence 
