268 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April S, 1384. 
your correspondent for an accurate reply to this, for which I shall 
feel obliged to him ? Iam inclined to think he is right, but his note 
this week is not very clear to me. 
Second, he speaks of “ the young growths starting from the base 
of the old pseudo-bulbs that had been taken away,’' whereas, in a 
regular way, the young growths of D. nobile do not proceed from the 
base of the flowering pseudo-bulbs at all, but from the base of the 
last year's pseudo-bulbs. It is the two-year-old pseudo-bulbs that 
flower, hence there must of necessity be always two years’ pseudo- 
bulbs left on the plant till blooming is over. For example, “ B.’s ” 
plants should now be carrying their last year’s growths, which will 
flower twelve months hence, and the young growths will be pushing 
from the base of these, not from the cut-away flowering pseudo- 
bulbs—J. S. 
Odontoglossum Edwaedi. —Numerous as are the species and 
varieties of the Odontoglossum now in cultivation, the subject of the 
present note is eminently deserving of attention, as it is one of the 
most distinct of the whole genus, and possesses special attractions of 
colour to recommend it. A plant is flowering at Kew which shows 
its characters to the best advantage, having two strong spikes, one 
with nine branches bearing eighty-three flowers and buds, the height 
3 or 4 feet. The flowers are about an inch in diameter, with narrow 
sepals and petals undulated, and with the points recurved. The colour 
is a uniform purplish mauve with a tinge of violet quite distinct from 
any other Odontoglossum and from the majority of Orchids, except 
some of the Bollea type. In contrast with 0. Pescatorei and 0. 
Alexandra; it is most striking, and as it succeeds well in a cool house 
with those species it is particularly valuable. The plant has been 
grown at Kew for some years, but was first imported in quantity six 
years ago, though it still continues scarce. 
Odontoglossum elegans. —A beautiful Orchid, remarkably like 
a large and dark-coloured 0. cirrhosum, but with the petals less 
waved and broader than the majority of forms of that species. The 
spots are very large, almost covering the sepals, a little smaller on 
the petals, but equally dark. It produces a graceful spike, and is 
of robust habit when grown as Mr. Pollett has it at Bickley. 
Cattleya Triana Leeana. —High prices for Orchids are by no 
means uncommon now, but it is seldom that 250 guineas is given for 
•a single plant. Yet this is the price paid by Mr. W. Lee, Downside, 
Leatherhead, for the superb Cattleya which bears his name, and for 
which certificates were granted last week by the Royal Horticultural 
and the Royal Botanic Societies. Numerous varieties of C. Trianse 
have been introduced to cultivation in recent years, some having 
originated in this country, but the majority are imported plants. 
These present considerable difficulties in the size and colouring of the 
flowers, but there is no question that they are all surpassed by Mr. 
Lee’s magnificent variety. The plant is a fine one, growing upon a 
large block of wood and having about thirty pseudo-bulbs, rather tall 
and somewhat cylindrical. The flowers are 7 to 8 inches in diameter, 
the petals 3 inches across, pale mauve-purple, the petals being of 
similar colour but more narrow. The lip is of wonderful size, fully 
4 inches long and 3 or more in breadth, of a most intensely rich 
magenta-crimson colour extending far into the throat. This plant is 
the only specimen of the variety in cultivation, and it is not at all 
likely to be excelled by new importations. 
THE DAFFODIL CONFERENCE AT SOUTH KENSINGTON. 
April 1st. 
Success in an unqualified degree attended the efforts of the Royal Hor¬ 
ticultural Society to obtain a thoroughly representative exhibition of 
Daffodils in all their numerous forms, for never before have bo many flowers 
of the charming genus Narcissus been brought together. The idea was an 
excellent one, seasonable and novel, and proved most conclusively how much 
■can be effected by pure enthusiasm without the offer of tempting prizes to 
induce exhibitors to contribute on such an occasion. Based on the same 
lines as the Apple Congress last year, though necessarily on a much less 
extensive scale, it was an equally good representative and non-competitive 
exhibition, the success of which may be confidently expected to lead to other 
schemes of a similar character. 
The conservatory contained a vast array of golden, creamy, and pure 
•white flowers, in all their variations, from the gigantic Trumpet Daffodils 
Empress and maximus to the diminutive minor and minimus, the delicately 
tinted “Peerless” varieties and hybrids, and the lovely wax-like Poet’s 
Narciss, while the air was laden with the perfume of a thousand Campernelles 
and Jonquils. Every gradation was there, and an unbroken chain of changing 
forms and colours could have been formed from the material afforded by the 
numerous collections. To enumerate the varieties would fill a volume, and, 
after all, verbal descriptions of such flowers, as Mr. Baker subsequently 
stated, would not convey an adequate idea of their characters. A few notes 
of the most distinct may, however, be desirable. By far the finest collection 
in every respect was that from Mr. James Walker of Whitton, Middlesex, 
the flowers being of great size, remarkably fresh, brightly coloured, or purely 
white, and indicating that their culture is well understood. They were also 
very tastefully set up in Hyacinth glasses, a dozen or more flowers being placed 
in each, and the base of the stalks surrounded with moss. A great number 
of beautiful varieties and hybrids were included, the N. iacomparabilis forms 
being especially abundant and handsome. Of these the following were 
noteworthy :—pallidus Princess Mary of Cambridge, pale yellow petals, 
and a wide rich orange crown ; albus Milneri, broad creamy white 
petals, crown wide, rich orange fading to yellow at the base; Minnie 
Hume, broad pure white petals, clear yellow open crown ; albus 
ruber aurantius, petals white, crown an intensely rich orange. The 
double form albu3 aurantius plenus was admirably shown, the flowers 
large, pure white, and orange. Of other notable varieties near these 
the best were Leedsi amabilis, with white spreading petals and straight 
faint creamy-yellow crown; Nelsoni major, petals white, with a straight 
orange-yellow crown, deeper towards the edge ; and cernuus pulcher, with 
white petals, and very long pale yellow crown. N. odorus, N. Jonquilla, and 
N. Tazetta were in large numbers and fine condition. N. Pseudo-Narcissus 
and its varieties formed another important portion of the collection ; bicolor 
anceps, the golden spurius, the rich and large maximus, Emperor, Horsefieldi, 
and scores of others being grand in every respect. N. poeticus, with its 
varieties ornatus and triopodalis, and the nearly allied N. Burbidgei formed 
another charming group, while the Hoop Petticoat Narciss was freely 
employed amongst the others with excellent effect. 
Messrs. Barr & Son, King Street, Covent Garden, contributed a most 
extensive collection of flowers, comprising some hundreds of choice varieties 
and hybrids. All the sections were exhibited in due proportions, a grand 
group of the Trumpet Daffodils at one end presenting a series of beautiful 
shades of gold and orange, the handsome crowns being contrasted in the 
case of the bicolor forms with pure white petals. Large clusters of fine 
double Daffodils imparted an additional interest to thi3 portion of the 
exhibit. The forms of N. incomparabilis were shown in scores, some being 
extremely pretty, with the Leedsi and Barri groups. Yery noteworthy was 
N. incomparabilis aureo-lineatus, with a rich orange crown of wonderful 
colour; another.was concolor, with clear yellow petals and pale orange 
crown, very delicate. Leedsi galanthiflorus aurantius is a charming Narciss, 
with pure white petals and a deep orange-yellow crown. Leedsi amabilis 
with pale creamy flowers, and Barri conspicuus has broad well-proportioned 
petals and crown tipped with orange scarlet, one of the most distinct and 
handsome of all. N. incomparabilis Queen Sophia of the Netherlands is 
also a very striking variety with broad rounded petals and an extremely rich 
gold crown. Amongst the N. cernuus family a variety called Rebecca Synm, 
or the Violet-scented Daffodil, is remarkable for its sweet delicate odour, the 
flowers being of a pale lemon colour. N. odorus rugulosus is a pretty single 
form of the Campernelle, with which were shown numbers of N. odorus 
minor plenus, Queen Anne’s double Daffodil, very neat in form, full, and of a 
rich golden hue. N. poeticus was represented by some superb varieties, 
poetarum having the deepest coloured crown ; while of the allied N. Burbidgei 
two handsome variations were shown, named respectively expansus and grandi- 
florus, the former having a very broad beautiful crown, and the latter dis¬ 
tinguished by its unusually large flowers. N. Bulbocodium contributed to 
the interest of the group, the early small-flowered pale variety nivalis being 
noteworthy, together with the charming little Corbularia Graelsi, the petals 
of which are inconspicuous and greenish, the crown pale gold and very large. 
These are but few of many excellent Daffodils shown by Mr. Barr, for in 
number of distinct forms this was the most complete of all those present. 
In the central portion of the collection the bottles containing the flowers 
were concealed beneath a bank of moss, amongst which were also dispersed 
a few plants of Isolepis gracilis, Aralias, and Ivy. This had a much more 
pleasing appearance than the usual formal style of setting up these flowers, 
and might be advantageously imitated on a more extensive scale. It should 
be added that a most welcome glow of distinct colouring was furnished by a 
collection of the brilliant Anemone fulgens from Mr. Barr at one end of the 
conservatory. 
Erom Mrs. Vivian’s garden at Singleton, Swansea, a collection of miscel¬ 
laneous Daffodils was sent, and Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn contributed some wild 
Daffodils gathered in the woods near Swansea, amongst which were ex¬ 
amples of the Tenby Daffodil, N. obvallaris, a neat-flowered early variety, 
together with a general collection of garden flowers, N. bicolor Horsefieldi 
being wonderfully fine. Mr. W. Brockbank, Didsbury, Manchester, sent 
some flowers of the Tenby Daffodil, found wild in Pembrokeshire, some 
pretty forms of N. cernuus. Mr. F. W. Wilson, Weybridge, contributed 
some choice blooms of N. Pseudo-Narcissus, N. incomparabilis, N. Tazetta, 
and some pretty Jonquils. Mr. J. Fitt, gardener to the Earl of Essex, Cassio- 
bury, Essex, sent a collection of double and single Daffodils; and New Plant 
and Bulb Company, Colchester, had a good general collection. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, had an extensive collection, the flowers 
arranged in boxes of moss, a number of flowers of a few leading varieties 
being shown. N. poeticus, N. bicolor Horsefieldi, N. Telemonius plenus, 
N. cernuus pulcher, N. rugilosus, N. incomparabilis Leedsi expansus, N. 
odorus and minor plenus, N. spurius, and N. incomparabilis sulphureus 
plenus, which was especially handsome. From the Society’s garden at 
Chiswick a number of select varieties were contributed, and Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Tottenham, had a handsome collection of the best forms, representing all 
sections. Mr. R. Frisby, gardener to M. H. ffarrington, Worden Hall, 
Preston, sent some flowers of the wild double N. Pseudo-Narcissus. Capt. 
C. G. Nelson, Holme Lodge, Godaiming ; Mr. E. G. Loder, Floore Weedon, 
Northamptonshire ; Mr. H. J. Elwes, Preston House, Cirencester ; and Mr. 
F. W. Moore, Curator, Glasnevin Botanic Gardens, also sent small collec¬ 
tions of flowers, including some choice varieties. Some particularly hand¬ 
some bouquets of Daffodils and Ferns were exhibited by Messrs. Dickson 
of Covent Garden, R. Morgan of South Kensington, and Aldou3 of Gloucester 
Road, all of which were greatly admired by the visitors ; but a group which 
attracted much the largest attention was a tasteful free arrangement of 
Daffodils with shoots of hardy shrubs from Miss Jekyll, Munstead, 
Godaiming. Only a few of the boldest and most distinct varieties were 
employed, but so gracefully were they associated with the foliage that their 
appearance was most pleasing. 
Mr. E. H. Krelage, Haarlem, showed some spikes of Hyacinth Charles 
Dickens, one half red and the other blue, showing the reversion of the red 
sport to the original blue variety. Flowers of Seilla italica alba and 
Chionodoxa nana were also sent. Mr. Davidson, Iwerne Minster, Shaftes¬ 
bury, sent flowers of seedling Imantophyllums, very fine, and several large 
heads of Rhododendrons were sent from Singleton. 
A great number of Fellows of the Society and visitors assembled duriu 
