372 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 7, 1885. 
It is our intention to give as full a report as possible of the Orchid 
Conference that is to be held at South Kensington on Tuesday next, 
and Mr. Yeitch’s paper on the Hybridisation of Orchids will be copiously 
illustrated by woodcuts specially prepared by us for this Journal. 
- The name of the winner of the Lord Lieutenant’s cup for 
Hyacinths at the Spring Show of the Royal Horticultural Society 
of Ireland should have been Shapland M. Tandy, Esq., of Clarinda 
Park House, Kingstown, not as printed in last week’s Journal. 
- We have received a flower of the distinct and beautiful 
hardy Passion Flower, Passiflora Constance Eliott, for which Messrs, 
Lucombe, Pince & Co., Exeter, were awarded a first-class certificate by 
the Royal Horticultural Society last May. It is like the common P. 
coerulea in f< rm of flower, habit, and hardiness, but the petals and fringe 
are pure white, the styles alone being yellowish. The fragrance is 
delicate and pleasing. 
- Mushrooms in Fields in May. —“ J. W., Per shore," writes, 
“Just a line to say that a friend of mine six miles from here has been 
picking this last fortnight out in his fields several pot hampers of grand 
Mushrooms.” 
- Mr. Bardney wishes to thank “ F. B.” “for sending spotless 
blooms of Tea Roses that had been subjected to the softsoap solution I 
have frequently recommended in these pages. I am the more pleased 
because your correspondent offers no remarks, but leaves the condition of 
the blooms to the opinion of the editor. 1 have only to add that if the 
solution is used as recommended no injury will be done to the most 
delicate blooms. The foliage by its use will be improved, and this alone 
pays for its use, to say nothing of its value as a preventive against mildew 
and insect pests. I have no doubt whatever that when the system I have 
recommended becomes more generally known and is properly practised 
that many proofs of its value will be forthcoming.” 
blight. The rea c on hereof is the fine dry March succeeding a moist 
February. By the latter numerous hybernating species were killed, and 
during the former (and the early part of April) hosts of caterpillars died 
off quite young.” 
- On Saturday, May 9th, the Essex Field Club will have an 
excursion to the Deneholes, near Grays Thurrock (in conjunction with 
the Geologists’ Association. Directors :—T. Y. Holmes, F.G.S., and 
William Cole, Hon. Sec. E.F.C. On Saturday, May 16th, a visit will be 
paid to the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London. Director :— 
Prof. W. H. Flower, LL.D., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c., President of the 
Zoological Society. Visitors will assemble at the main entrance to the 
Zoological Gardens in Albeit Road, Regent’s Park, N.W., at about three 
o’clock. Members will be admitted free at the above-named entrance on 
signing their names in the book. 
-The International Inventions Exhibition at South Kensing¬ 
ton was opened on Monday the 4th inst. by the Prince and Princess 
of Wales, a large number of distinguished visitors assembling to 
witness the ceremony. During the afternoon the public were admitted, 
all the principal parts of the Exhibition being crowded until closing 
time. Several galleries are well filled, and there is abundance to in¬ 
terest visitors, but much more remains to be done, and several weeks 
must elapse before it is completed. At present the horticultural de¬ 
partment is but scantily represented, but agricultural implements and 
machinery are more numerous, occupying considerable space in one of 
the large galleries near the entrance. We shall have occasion to refer 
to the exhibits on another occasion, and for the present we may remark 
that Messrs. Foster & Pearson, Chilwell, have samples of their green¬ 
houses, frames, valves, and boilers ; Mr. Sam Deards, Harlow, has a 
house illustrating his method of dry glazing ; and Messrs. Arthur 
Dashwood & Co., Wimbledon, exhibit several houses. The floral attrac¬ 
tions comprise groups of hardy plants from Mr. T. S. Ware; Rhododen¬ 
drons from Messrs. Lane & Son, Great Berkhamp9tead ; and a handsome 
tent of Roses in pots from Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. The galleries 
have been differently arranged, but the garden space has not been de¬ 
creased, and this now looks very fresh and neat. The musical attractions 
are as numerous as at the tw8 preceding exhibitions, and there is every 
reason to anticipate as much success for the “ Inventories,” as re¬ 
warded the promoters of the “Healtheries” and the “Fisheries.” 
- Mr. W. Hawley, Ask, Aldershot, sends us a most welcome 
and beautiful collection of Spring Flowers, comprising some charming 
varieties of Alpine Auriculas, Polyanthuses, Pansies, and hardy Primulas 
as bright and fresh as if but just gathered. In each case the colours of 
the varieties are very rich and varied, and represent strains of great 
excellence. 
- “ W. B.” writes :—“It would be interesting to know if Ccelo. 
gyne Lemoniana flowers naturally from the same pseudo-bulbs twice in 
one season—that is, from the top in autumn and again in early spring from 
the base, the same as C. cristata. A large panful of this charming Ccelo- 
gyne does this annually under the charge of Mr. Davies at Woolton Wood, 
Liverpool. Perhaps some of your readers can say if this is natural to this 
variety or due to the instance cited to superior cultivation. It is worth a 
place in every collection if it is its nature to flower only once, but if 
twice, it is doubly valuable, especially to all who require choice flowers in 
quantity.” 
-The same correspondent states:—“In addition to the value 
of Rhododendron Jacksonii for early forcing in pots it is charming out¬ 
side just now, and would form one of the most delightful spring beds 
imaginable. In many gardening establishments these early-floweritig 
varieties are not accorded such a prominent position as they deserve. No 
doubt they are very liable to injury from spring frosts, and sheltered 
positions should be selected for them. They are the most effective when 
whole beds are planted with the same variety and not mixed, as is too 
general. When a bed is formed of one variety they are so beautiful and 
effective that they more than repay the trouble and care required in pre¬ 
lecting them from spring frosts by means of canvas, which can be placed 
ever them and taken off in a few minutes.” 
-“An Entomologist” writing from Gravesend respecting the 
Season and Insects obseives :—“From my own observations and the 
statements made by gardeners and farmers hereabouts, I am inclined to 
think we shall have a season remarkably free from many forms of insect 
AMONGST THE ORCHIDS. 
DOWNSIDE. 
In the Cattleya house at Downside, to which some reference 
was made last week, a simple but effective means of protecting 
the plants from the attacks of such enemies as slugs, snails, and 
cockroaches is adopted, and so satisfactory has it proved that 
several orchidists have been induced to try the plan. It is 
especially applicable to the central bed or stage, and for this it 
is employed at Downside in the following manner:—The stage 
is supported upon a number of iron pillars, which pass through 
the centre of a metal saucer about 6 inches in diameter and an 
inch or two in depth, and are kept filled with wafer These may 
be cast with the pillars, but where there are similar supports 
and it is desired to add such insect traps to the existing arrange¬ 
ments, it can be done in the manner adopted at Burford Lodge 
—namely, pieces of zinc or galvanised iron cut to a suitable 
shape and size can be readily soldered round the pillers, answer¬ 
ing precisely the same purpose and with less expense. Beyond 
the use of these saucers for excluding or catching insects they 
are advantageous in affording a constant supply of moisture at 
the lower part of the stage, which, rising amongst the plants, 
keeps the foliage fresh and healthy. 
Another very suggestive and important practice at Down¬ 
side is the employment of large beds of leaves beneath the 
central stage. It has been a question amongst orchidists for a 
considerable time whether Orchids are benefited by the gases 
arising from decaying vegetation, which has been answered 
both in the negative and the affirmative, both its supporters 
and its opponents having had some truth on their side. As 
in many other matters the right course appears to be the inter¬ 
mediate one, for though the plants dislike the products of rapid 
and offensive decay, they seem to gain some advantage from a 
more gradual change which releases the various gases slowly. 
A few cultivators have argued that ammoniacal vapours are 
beneficial, and one has recommended the employment of car¬ 
bonate of ammonia for this purpose; but it must be regarded 
with considerable doubt, and any experiments should be con¬ 
ducted most carefully, or serious results might accrue. At 
