March 26, 1865. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
247 
tnft of leaves, which are spathulate, 24 to 3 inches long, tapering to the 
base, shortly acute at the apex. They are paler on the lower than on 
the upper surface, and have a broken cellular hyaline, scarcely denti¬ 
culate, margin ; when fresh they are scattered with transparent dots ; 
the veins are dichotomous, scarcely anastomosing. From the centre of 
this tuft rises the erect scape, 6 inches high, terminating in the upper 
half in a pyramidal many-flowered raceme, below which is a whorl of 
linear pointed bracts. The rachis, pedicels, and calyx are furnished 
with hairs tipped by black glands. The flowers arc large, rose-coloured, 
measuring five-eighths of an inch in diameter. The pedicels are shorter 
than the calyx, subtended by small lance-shaped bracteoles. The calyx> 
besides its gland-tipped hairs, is marked with red dots and streaks ; its 
teeth are linear-oblong obtuse, those of the lower lip three in number, 
narrower than the two forming the upper lip, all being shorter than the 
ovary. The corolla is three times as long as the calyx teeth ; the upper 
lip consists of four oblong blunt, spreading lobes, the lower is very small, 
with a gland-like deltoid prominence at the base ; a pair of short lateral 
ears, or projections, which become very indistinct in the dried state, and 
a subulate petal-like point ; the throat is furnished with a crown of six 
clavate processes. The column is flattened at the base, becomes tapered 
upwards, and is bent twice in the usual way. 
The Stylidiums should be grown in sandy soil with a preponderance 
of peat earth, and require to be very carefully drained, for though they 
like a good supply of water while growing they cannot endure stagnant 
moisture. A warm, dry, and airy greenhouse is the best situation for 
them. Many of them are very pretty, indeed showy plants; and, in all, 
the structure of the flower, and the irritability of its column, are so 
curious, that they have good claim to the small space they occupy.—M. 
ORANGES OUT OF DOOES. 
Mr. Bond asks for information respecting the amount of protection 
given to the old Lemon tree on the walls of Dunster Castle. Around it 
is a wooden frame which in the winter supports a couple of glass lights, 
the whole arrangement being like a miniature greenhouse. The old tree 
bears freely every year. The situation, although on a gentle eminence, 
appears warm. The top of the knoll is flattened and nsed as a tennis 
lawn. Shrubs, with Pelargoniums at their base, are planted around this 
lawn. The bedding plants are left out all through the winter, and for the 
last four or five years have been uninjured. The Fuchsia bushes and the 
Laurustinuses are as healthy and vigorous as possible. Down in the quaint 
old town a grand plant of Bignonia grandiflora climbs rampantly over a 
porch facing a dusty street. The grand Orange bushes at Mount Edg- 
cumbe are only removed into the unheated orangery late in the autumn, 
and are brought out before April has fulfilled its course. The Orange 
garden is the strongest feature of our old gardens to many. The load of 
golden fruit and pretty virginal blossoms is one of the noblest creations. I 
am sure that all along the south coast Oranges would succeed on the 
south walls of villas, particularly if protected from the east by a project¬ 
ing conservatory, buttress, or some other ornamental contrivance. In 
September, and all through the summer, the little trouble that covering 
with glass lights in winter gives would be repaid a thousandfold. Cor¬ 
respondents are always suggesting things that are not so well known as 
they ought to be, or not grown as they ought to be. Do say, please Mr. 
Editor, that this is one.—C. A. M. Carmichael. 
[Orange trees are well worth growing in sheltered positions in the 
sou h of England for ornamental purposes, and in light well-heated 
structures for ripening delicious fruit—much superior to that sold in 
markets.] 
MANAGEMENT OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Referring to Mr. Cox’s observations on this subject, I consider there 
should have been no restrictions in the schedule of the Liverpool Horti¬ 
cultural Association, for, if I am not mistaken, the gardeners of Liverpool 
contend that they are capable of holding their own against all comers. 
From what I have seen of the wonderful productions that have been 
staged at this Society’s exhibitions, I am of opinion that their contention 
is fully borne out by the fact. In a few solitary instances they have 
been surpassed by better produce, but there has been no discredit falling 
upon the losing competitor. I do not agree with Mr. Cox that being 
beaten in one or two classes by the produce of others from more favour¬ 
able localities is discouraging, or even a barrier to the progress of horti¬ 
culture, in the district in which such defeat takes place. Competition and 
defeat nerves the exhibitor to greater energy, effort, and determination. I 
have always found that defeat and failure creates a tendency to think 
intelligently and observe with diligence, this in the end leading to honour 
and success. Continued success, especially with a restricted schedule, pro¬ 
motes the very opposite. 
Mr. Cox refers to vegetables, but I think he will readily admit that the 
produce staged by local competitors has been superior in quality and set 
up in a better condition during the past two or three years, than was 
the case at the earlier shows held in Sefton Park. Perhaps your cor¬ 
respondent will explain what has been the cause of this improvement, 
What was the condition of the vegetables staged by local competitors, say 
at the first summer show ? Were they not coarse and very badly staged in 
comparison with the collections exhibited by Messrs. Iggulden and 
Richardson, the only two competitors from a distance, if my memory 
serves me right ? If Mr. Cox is not prepared to make this admission 
there are other gardeners and vegetable exhibitors who will ; in fact, I 
remember one remarking to me that “we have something to learn both in 
staging and growing vegetables before we can compete successfully 
against well-known vegetable exhibitors.” 
To return to the schedule. Even if the classes had been open to all, 
then the schedule is sadly restricted. Does Mr. Cox think that horti¬ 
culture in the neighbourhood of Liverpool is advanced by provision being 
made only for nurserymen and professional gardeners? This is the state 
not only of the schedule in question but of that issued by many societies. 
Shrewsbury is commendable in this respect, and provides for amateurs 
who do not profess to keep a gardener, and ample provision is also made 
for cottagers. The exhibits from the latter alone fill a very large tent, 
and are generally of good quality, showing that the Society has created a 
general love for the cultivation of fruits, flowers, and vegetables If 
schedules made provision for a greater variety of competitors instead of 
being limited to one or two classes, the love for gardens and gardening 
would advance much more rapidly than will ever be the cam under the 
system at present in vogue. 
There can be no doubt that the cheap periodicals that are weekly issued 
on gardening are rapidly creating a wider and deeper interest in horti¬ 
culture, and this will deepen and spread, 1 have not the least doubt, for 
proof appears almost daily to confirm this belief ; and if horticultural 
societies are to do their share in this work they must be managed on 
broader, wider, and more liberal principles than is the case at present.— 
A Northerner. 
AMARYLLISES AT CHELSEA. 
The Amaryllis house in Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons’ nursery at Chelsea 
now forms an exhibition of great interest, and attracts a large number of 
visitors. The advance that has been made with these handsome plants in 
recent years is wonderful, and anyone who might see the old Hippeastrum 
equestre as it is now flowering at Kew would scarcely think it could be 
the progenitor of such a magnificent race. The most careful attention 
has been paid to the naming of the most distinct forms raised from the 
first hybrids, and by a continued selection and intercrossing the flowers 
have been vastly improved in form and colour, and the variations increased. 
Such beautiful forms are every year exhibited and certificated that it 
seems almost impossible that much further advance could be made ; but 
Messrs. J. Yeitch’s experienced foreman, Mr. Heale, thinks otherwise,, 
and proves by the number of very distinct novelties this year that there is 
more work to be done amongst the Amaryllises. 
The spacious span-roofed house devoted to these plants was described 
last year, and it need only be added that the plants are arranged in a 
similar manner—namely, in a central and two side beds. There are 
about 2000 flowering bulbs, and there are over 1500 scapes showing, in 
some cases two or three from a bulb ; while the number of flowers in a 
head varies from two to four, a large proportion having the latter number. 
This indicates the strength of the plants, and the same is also shown by 
the size and substance of the individual flower. The colours are most 
varied, shades of crimson and scarlet being very abundant, salmon and 
pink being also represented in several varieties. Those with a. white 
ground and crimson or scarlet streaks and spots are especially distinct, 
while the parti-coloured forms are similarly attractive. 
The following are some of the best of the— 
NEW VARIETIES. 
Climax .—The name chosen for this variety indicates the opinion held 
by its raiser with regard to its merits, and it need scarcely be said that 
title is well deserved. The flower is of magnificent proportions— 
8| inches in diameter, with petals 3 inches across and beautifully rounded, 
the colour being a very rich shade of crimson scarlet. These grand flowers 
were produced by a small bulb in a 48 size pot, and have been remove 1 so 
that the plant should not become too exhausted, as with another season’s 
growth still finer results are confidently expected. 
Basilisk. —Another handsome variety, with very large bold flowers ; 
the petals nearly 4 inches in breadth, rounded, and bright scarlet. It is 
of very strong free habit, having two scapes with three flowers each. 
Mark Tapley. —A showy and beautiful variety, the flowers tipped and 
streaked with crimson on a white ground, and with a white or greenish 
central bar in the petals. Very strong, four flowers in a scape. 
Semiramis. —Distinct in coiour, of a bright salmon scarlet hue, and a 
central white bar; two spikes of four flowers each. 
Vestal. —A beautifully formed flower, white, spotted and streaked with 
crimson, the petals broad and finely rounded. Very elegant. 
Lord of the Isles. —A charming variety, the flowers of medium size, 
but excellent in form and intense rich scarlet, the colour extending to the 
centre of the flower. It has a vigorous scape of four flowers, and will 
undoubtedly become a favourite both on account of its colour and form. 
Picotee, —This will probably be the parent of a distinct type of 
Amaryllis, as it is quite a break from those previously obtained. Tbe 
flower is of medium size, white, with a narrow margin of crimson, Sim la, 
to its elegant namesake. This has a curious appearance, and if the band 
of colour could be broadened and intensified, and the white ground ren¬ 
dered clearer, something of a very remarkable character would be 
obtained, 
