152 
JOURNAL OF H0RTICUL1URE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 19, 1885. 
exhibitors who are non-members; that there be no limit as to the number 
of varieties ; that entries be received up to the morning of the Show ; that 
all plants be staged by twelve o’clock and remain till the close of the Exhi¬ 
bition ; that exhibits be correctly labelled. 
Letters were also read from the secretaries of various provincial Chrys¬ 
anthemum Societies, announcing their intention of becoming affiliated in 
accordance with the circular sent out by the N.C.S. a short time since. The 
proceedings of the evening were brought to a close shortly after nine o’clock, 
and the usual votes of thanks passed. 
PH A JUS GRANDIFOLIUS. 
Where this useful old Orchid has been in a temperature of 60° 
up to the present time it will be producing its giant flower spikes 
very quickly. When well grown and the plants are strong the flower 
spikes will often attain a height of 4 or 5 feet and carry a large 
number of their showy flowers towards the top. While in flower this is 
one of the best Orchids in cultivation for the decoration of the conserva¬ 
tory. It shows to great advantage in this position when arranged with 
other dwarf flowering plants, as the spikes rise well above them and are 
very effective. This Orchid is not half so generally grown in gardens 
where large quantities of flowering plants for decoration are required as it 
deserves. Very rarely indeed in gardening establishments is this Phajus 
employed in comparatively cool houses. On the contrary, it is generally 
subjected to stove heat. It will succeed in the stove, but the flowers do 
not last half so long as they do in the cooler and drier atmosphere of the 
conservatory. I have proved from experience that when it is given stove 
treatment the whole year round its strength soon decreases until the 
foliage is small and the flower spikes puny, but when subjected to cool 
treatment from the time its first flowers open the plants increase yearly 
in strength. To grow this plant well it must be thoroughly rested like the 
majority of Orchids, and this is best brought about by a considerably 
lower temperature while in bloom. It enjoys a season of rest if kept in 
any structure where the night temperature does not fall below 45°. That 
a lower temperature is beneficial is proved by the luxuriant growth the 
following season. 
At this season of the year the greatest care is needed in applying water 
to the roots. From the time the flower spikes are visible until they start 
into growth and commence root-action in spring they must not receive too 
much water. The soil should never be dry until the spikes are well 
developed and the plants are removed to a cool house. While in this 
structure they will need very little water, only sufficient should be given 
to prevent the foliage flagging. If the soil about the roots is kept wet 
they will perish, and this is a great mistake, whereas under proper treat¬ 
ment they will be fresh and plump until roots are formed from the 
new growths, and the foliage gradually dies. Many cultivators do not try 
to preserve the foliage after the flowers have faded, but cut it away an 1 
repot their plants directly new growths are observed issuing from the base ; 
this I have proved to be a mistake. The old foliage should be retained as 
long as possible, and if cared for will not all have disappeared when the 
young growths commence root-action for their own support. 
WThere this plant is grown in numbers the whole of them need not 
be brought into flower at the same time ; on the contrary, they should be 
retarded and brought forward in separate batches. This old plant will 
bear retarding in a lower temperature without the slightest injury even 
from the time the flower spikes are first visible. It is a grand 
exhibition plant, and can be retarded without injury for exhibiting at our 
spring shows, which is not the case with many Orchids of less robust 
constitutions.—W. B. N. G. 
GAS LIME AND WIREWORMS. 
Allow me to correct a common error—namely, that gas lime will 
kill wireworm if applied to the land. Some years ago I saw this asser¬ 
tion made in an agricultural j >urnal; but before applying the lime I 
caught some of the worms. The gas lime was fresh from the gasworks. 
An opening was made and the wireworms enclosed in the lime. They 
remained there some considerable time, but their health and well-being 
was apparently not the least affected, for they were as lively as when put 
in. Now, seeing that the lime in its fresh and unadulterated state had no 
effect upon the pest, does it seem reasonable that it would clear the land 
when mixed with the soil ? Gas lime is very useful on grass land when 
overgrown with moss, but I have never found any benefit from its use in 
arable land. For mossy grass lauds it can be applied either by itself or 
mixed with soil. If the land be badly affected, then apply the lime alone. 
It will take both moss and grass, but the latter will grow again a sweeter 
herb. Perhaps the best and cheapest olan is to mix equal parts of gas lime 
with road scrapings in the autumn, turn it during the winter, and apply 
to the grass land in the spring.—J. R. R. 
FOREST HOUSE NOTTINGHAM. 
IN the picturesque neighbourhood of Sherwood Forest is situated the 
house and estate of E. Patchitt, Esq. The garden there is noted for a 
remarkable fernery, which deserves a brief description in this Journal. 
The roof is of the ridge-and-furrow form, the house being 48 feet by 
52 feet, and about 18 feet high. The interior resembles a huge cave with 
rocks and ragged arches of tufa, the path winding amongst the rocks, and 
there are steps to ascend, so that the beauty of the plants beneath can be 
seen to advantage. Most of the Ferns are planted out in pockets formed 
of the same material as the arches, and so arranged that at every turn a 
fresh scene presents itself. Towards the centre is a fine Dicksonia 
antarctica, measuring feet round the stem ; also noticeable is a grand 
specimen of Cyathea medullaris with twelve large spreading fronds. The 
walls have a rocky and natural appearance up to the roof, many dwarf¬ 
growing and graceful Ferns with Mosses are flourishing. Begonias of the 
Rex class are interspersed amongst the Ferns and are growing freely, the 
colour being very effective. One corner where the chimney is situated 
has caused Mr. Graham,"'the energetic gardener, some trouble. Ferns 
would not take kindly in such a dry place, but he has overcome the 
difficulty by planting Fpiphyllums, and at the present time they are a 
mass of bloom, giving a bright contrast to the foliage on either side. Near 
the roof is a large plant of Sparmannia africana about 6 feet through, 
which supplies a great quantity of useful flowers. Trailing about like 
Ivy is the pretty Mikania pulveruleDta with Selaginellas and Trademantias 
in variety, making a charming groundwork. 
The house contains besides many Tree Ferns some large and noble- 
Palms, such as Latania borbonica, Seaforthia elegans, and Phoenix dacty- 
lifera with thirty leaves. When the Ferns become too high the lower 
part of the stems is wrapped in sphagnum moss and afterwards cut 
through and lowered into the receptacle which has been previously cleaned 
out and filled with fresh compost. This process checks growth for a 
season, but when established again they make fine crowns and fronds. 
The hollows among the stones are formed into miniature lakes ; the water, 
being soft and the same temperature as the house, has perhaps something 
to do with the bright and clean appearance of the foliage around. By 
an ingenious contrivance the water is made, when required, to run down 
the stones in every direction, and over the lakes it pours between the 
stones like a waterfall. 
The grounds enclosed are about twenty acres, and almost as interesting 
as the Fern house. There is plenty of local sandstone at hand, so 
rockeries are formed with little expense ; one of these is planted with 
alpine and herbaceous plants, another is a bank of Foxgloves, &c., and for 
a blind and ornament there are several large beds of Rhododendrons, 
Laurustinus, Coniferse, and most telling is a beautiful bed of Golden 
Holly. Fruit trees are represented in numbers, especially the Apple, 
which receives a greater amount of root than branch pruning. It is 
perhaps worthy of mention that in some parts of Nottingham, Lincoln, 
and Yorkshire the Apple crop was much heavier and the fruit finer last 
year than in 1883. 
The walls of the house are partly covered with plants, such as Rose 
Devoniensis and Magnolia grandiflora covering a large space. My visit 
being brief, I had not time to take note of all the good things the place 
contains, and my best thanks are due to Mr. Graham for his courtesy.— 
G. W. Cummins. 
CHRYSANTHEMUM MRS, MAHOOD. 
By this post I send you a bloom of the last of the Chrysanthemums. 
I have several more blooms opening, but I am afraid they will not come to 
maturity. The variety is Mrs. Mahood, quite new. I cannot say if it is 
always late, but I have had several blooms of it very late. I have just 
cut the last bloom to-day of Mrs. Charles Carey, and those yet in bud are 
Duchess of Connaught. I did not finish cutting Sarnia before the middle 
of January. I have a few blooms yet of Meg Merrilees.— Robt. Owen. 
[The bloom sent was neat and quite fresh. Some of the earliest blooms 
we saw this season was of this variety, and we were not aware it would 
continue flowering so long.] 
MASDEYALLIA TOYARENSIS. 
Amongst the best of useful easily grown Orchids the Tovar Masde- 
vallia merits a foremost position, and this it is gradually but surely 
securing. It is somewhat surprising, however, that the species should 
have been cultivated in Britain for twenty years, and for a good portion 
of that time be comparatively neglected as a garden plant. In some 
collec’ions of Orchids it has been duly prized, but beyond these it was 
scarcely known. It has not been alone in this neglect, and one reason 
why it and others are becoming general favourites is due to the fact that 
the “cool house” for Orchids is now almost indispensable in many 
establishments. In gardens of very moderate extent accommodation can 
be provided for Orchids that are so cheaply and easily grown as these, for 
though all must admire the gorgeous Cattleyas, the charmingly graceful 
Phalaenopses, and the varied Dendrobiums, many are debarred from the 
enjoyment of their beauty by the expense attending their purchase and 
culture. The cool species are, therefore, essentially the people’s Orchids, 
and their popularity must unquestionably advance so long as beautiful 
flowers find favour. 
Masdevallia tovarensis is one of the most floriferous species in the 
genus, and some idea of its qualities in this respect can be gathered from 
the woodcut, fig. 27. This pourtrays a specimen in Messrs. J. Veitch 
and Sons’ Chelsea Nursery that for weeks past has been producing its 
delicate white flowers in profusion. At the time our artist’s sketch was 
taken the plant had over four dozen buds and expanded flowers—a re¬ 
markable number for a plant of such moderate size, growing in a shallow 
