January 22 , 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
69 
which contrasts admirably with the white sepals and petals, these, how¬ 
ever, being slightly tinted at the points. It flowers at the same time as 
the ordinary type, and while equally useful in all the qualities of that as 
regards freeness and durability, it is a welcome acquisition owing to the 
distinct colouring of the lip. 
Of the other varieties named the following are worth notice, though 
they are mostly scarce :—L. a. brunnea, described as having “ horse chest¬ 
nut brown ’’ sepals and petals, but I have not seen it. L. a. ochracea has 
pale brown sepals and petals and a purple-veined lip. L. a. rosea has the 
sepals, petals, and lip tipped with rosy purple, a very pretty form. L. a. 
superba is chiefly remarkable for the much larger size of the flowers. 
L. a. Stobartiana has the sepals and petals tipped with purple, and the 
lip margined with rich purple. L. a. Tuckeri is described as having 
violet-tinted flowers, but if it is now in cultivation, which is somewhat 
uncertain, it must be very scarce. 
It will readily be seen from the foregoing list that the value of Laelias 
available. During several years’ experience where the soil of the garden in 
my charge varied in depth from 3£ feet in some places to less than a foot in 
others, I found it necessary to consider the extremes in the depth of the 
soil at my disposal in relation to the requirements of different crops, and 
act accordingly. A portion of one of the squares where tho soil was 
deepest on one occasion was selected bog peat for Carrots. The land 
during the process of trenching was liberally dressed with farmyard 
manure and seaweed in about equal quantities, the surface being after¬ 
wards prepared for the seed, which was sown in due course. A finer lot 
of roots than was lifted the following autumn could not be desired, and 
that without more trouble in the growing seasons than the usual hoeing, 
weeding, and thinning. Good clean Carrots were produced on other parts 
of the garden, but they were not comparable with the first-mentioned 
crop, which shows the advantage of suitable soil and liberal treatment 
combined. 
Grown on similar soil good crops of Peas were regularly obtained, free 
Fig. 11 .—LjELIA ALBIDA if ARIANiE. 
for winter cannot be overrated, for numerous beautiful flowers are obtain¬ 
able from a few species that will greatly brighten a house from November 
to February.— Lewis Castle. 
KITCHEN GARDEN NOTES. 
In some parts of the country, more especially in mountainous districts, 
such as the Highlands of Scotland for example, the depth of soil within 
a comparatively small radius is often extremely variable. The formation 
of a kitchen garden on a site answering to the above description is 
objectionable, and should never be proceeded with if a better one of the 
required extent can be had within a reasonable distance of the mansion. 
A site at once convenient and satisfactory is, however, not always at 
command, and of couise it only remains to make the best of the one 
from mildew. Speaking of mildew with regard to its attacks on Pea 
crops, I am not of the opinion that cold wet seasons are the direct cause 
of the production of this fungus. Other conditions undoubtedly operate 
to produce it also. In 1872 and 1873, two of the wettest seasons on record, 
I never had more satisfactory crops of Peas late in the season, and in a 
position such as is considered favourable for mildew. On comparing 
subsequent experience with the above I consider the success referred to 
as chiefly the result of new soil, newly drained, and deeply wrought. 
Laying out New Ground. —In preparing new ground for the 
cultivation of garden produce, mineral substances may occasionally be 
found present. While some of these are not only harmless but form the 
best of soils, after having undergone a process of natural pulverisation, 
others are injurious to vegetation. When material of this kind is found 
it should be got rid of, beyond the possibility of injuring plants, by 
