GARDEN HINTS FOR AMATEURS. 
season, then, will be from March, to the end of May, or perhaps June, if required. Immediately after 
that is over, the growing- season, with its requisite quantity of heat and moisture, will recommence. 
Then occurs the proper time to give them a shift, if they require it, by renewing the baskets and 
the sphagnum. Give them larger baskets as they grow, and require more space for then' roots. 
The following is a selection of the species most worthy of cultivation : — 
V. ccerulea. Khasiya-hills of India. — The noblest of the race, remarkable for the size of its whole- 
coloured bluish-lilac flowers, which measure three to four inches in diameter, and grow in long 
upright racemes of eight or ten blossoms. It has been lately bloomed by Messrs. Veitch, and has 
been erroneously called V. coerulescens in several publications. The sepals and petals are large, mem- 
branous, and oblong ; the lip small, leathery, deep blue, and linear-oblong in form. 
V. cristata. Nepal. — One of the most scarce of the genus, and very beautiful. The flowers are 
produced on long peduncles, generally singly, but sometimes in pairs ; they are large, and of a creamy 
white ; the labellum mottled, and striped with rich dark brown. They last a long time in bloom. 
V. fitsco-viridis. East Indies. — This is a species very little known. As the name implies, the 
colour is a brownish green, approaching to yellow. The flowers are of considerable size, lasting in 
bloom full two mouths, and are very fragrant. 
V. insif/nis. Java. — A well-named species, for it is indeed a noble plant, with equally noble 
flowers. They are large ; grow frequently six to ten in a raceme ; yellowish, beautifully spotted 
with crimson, and very fragrant. 
V. sitacis. Java : V. tricolor. Java. — These two are very beautiful species, in the way of Yanda 
insignis ; and together with it are, perhaps, the most beautiful of the species. 
V. lioxburr/hii. India. — A handsome growing plant, but not a free flowerer ; no doubt, because 
the plants are kept too long in a continued moist atmosphere. The sepals and petals arc yellowish, 
spotted with red inside, and rose and white outside ; the labellum is white and pale red. There is 
a variety with blue spots instead of red or rose. 
V. teres. Various parts of India. — A very fine species. The petals are deep purple, shading oft' 
to the margin ; the sepals pale cream colour ; the lip large and beautifully variegated with crimson 
and yellow; a tall growing species, seldom flowering till three feet high. 
V. unicolor. India. — Not a very handsome species, but a free flowerer ; and the flowers arc large 
and continue fresh a long time. They arc light brown, changing to a tawny yellow. 
V. violacea. Manilla. — The sepals and petals of this are white, tinged with violet, the labellum, 
richly striped with rich purple. It is a beautiful species, flowering when very dwarf. The season 
of blooming is about February, a time when flowers are scarce, even among orchids. 
(Pflririt lints fur Slmntrnrs. 
APKIL. 
J/IIIIS, like the preceding month, is a busy time with good gardeners, and those who are in any way 
A behind with their work must not lose a moment until every department under then' charge is in 
proper order. The flower garden will begin to wear an interesting appearance, more especially where a 
good collection of Alpine or rock plants and bulbs arc cultivated, and among shrubs, the Koses, licrbcris, 
Daphne Mczercum, Forsythia, and many more, will be gay and lively. If the planting of shrubs and 
specimen plants has not been completed, no time must be lost, though if necessity requires it, shrubs 
and large ones, too, may be planted us successfully in May as any month in the year; indeed, in 
exposed situations, and where the plants are obliged to be taken from warm nursery beds, we would 
rather plant in May than any other month in the year. This, we are aware, is contrary to general 
practice, but we speak from experience; and having planted some hundreds at that season, without 
losing ten in a thousand, we know the practice may be followed with advantage. Newly planted trees 
must be properly attended to as to watering and staking, ami if they can be mulched with leaf mould 
they will be much benefited. Finish pruning Koses. Regulate the beds containing the tender kinds, 
as the Tea, Bourbon, and China varieties, and where it is customary peg them down at once, so as to 
induce them to break strongly from the base. Manure the beds, or give, when necessary, a good 
soaking of manure water. All beds and borders should now lie del ply hoed over when the soil is dry. 
but avoid using the rake at present ; indeed, in flower gard< us a good workman should not require to 
use the rake at all. Mowing must lie attended to regularly, and every plant of the garden must 
present a neat and finished appearance. 
Among Florists' Flowers the potting of Pinks, Carnations, and l'ieotees, if not already done, must 
be completed immediately, and Auriculas and Polyanthuses must be carefully attended to, guarding 
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