May 1, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
849 
Odontoglossum vexillarium is of course represented by many fine 
varieties, but there is one which bears the appropriate title of splendens, 
which is probably the finest in cultivation, and merits special attention. It 
is the same variety as that of which a small plant was sold at Mr. Stevens’ 
rooms a short time since for twenty-six guineas, and at the last Kensing¬ 
ton meeting Mr. Williams was awarded a first-class certificate for the plant 
now noted. With such indications of its quality something good might 
be expected, and no one who saw it would be disappointed. The flowers 
are not of the largest size, but of excellent form ; the petals round, even, 
and of great substance, while the colour is a uniform deep rose, which is 
relieved by a small blotch of white at the base of the lip. The variety is 
very floriferous, as a small but healthy plant in a 48-size pot has 
four spikes of six and five flowers each, and suspended from the roof of 
one of the houses it has a grand appearance. 
Vandas are in their customary sturdy health, some plants of V. suavis 
and V. tricolor bearing a number of large spikes of their rich flowers. 
These form a beautiful bank, and near them is a plant of Dendrobium 
superbiens with a spike 2 feet long, bearing thirteen large flowers, and the 
condition of the plant indicates that whatever difficulties some find in its 
culture have been effectually overcome at Holloway. Though this is 
placed in the general collection, it may be remarked that a house is now 
devoted to the Dendrobiums, of which a great number are grown, 
D. crassinode, D. Ainsworthi, D. Wardianum, and similar well-known 
species being in strong force. A wonderful plant of D. Calceolus on a 
block, and showing forty or fifty spikes, will be very handsome in a short 
time, and worth a long journey to see. 
Cypripediums constitute another feature, as many species are now 
flowering, and others will shortly take up the display. Of the distinct 
C. lasvigatum a beautiful variety is flowering, deeply coloured and heavily 
striped. The rare C. Druryi, with its neat yellowish flowers, is worth a 
place in every collection, as it is unlike all others in cultivation. C. 
caudatum and C. Haynaldianum, of which the specimens are very large, 
are showing flowers abundantly, and numerous others are similarly good. 
Odontoglossums and Oneidiums contribute considerably to the floral 
attractions, and among the former 0. Alexandras with its varieties alone 
constitute a beautiful show. The flowers of many forms of this plant are 
distinguished by their perfect symmetry, wax-like substance, and purity 
and delicacy of colour. It is not easy to decide which are the most 
pleasing—the white or the rose-tinted varieties. They are both beautiful, 
and in their finer developments extremely valuable. The darkly marked 
0. Halli furnishes a striking contrast to the Alexandras type. The dwarf 
and charming 0. Rossi majus and the almost constantly flowering 0. 
(Erstedti are notable and useful, while amongst the long-lasting Odonto- 
glots may be named O. cariniferum, which has several very large panicles, 
and has been in flower since Christmas. Though not so showy as some 
species this is well worth more attention, as it is a free grower, and the 
long duration of its flowering period renders it especially valuable wherever 
a display has to he maintained. The sepals and petals are brown, ihe tip 
white, and the column purple—a peculiar but not unpleasing contrast of 
colours. 
Thoroughly useful is the profuse Oncidum concolor, which is now 
brightening several of the houses with its abundant spikes of pure yellow 
flowers. Another free and pretty species is 0. leucochilum, of which a 
side branch of one of the panicles is represented in fig. 85. Like most 
Orchids this species is naturally variable, and forms of widely divergent 
merit have been introduced, but in clearness of the markings and richness 
of colour the one under notice is unsurpassed. The sepals and petals, 
which in some are of quite a greenish tinge indistinctly marked, aTe in 
this one boldly and regularly barred or spotted with brown on a yellow 
ground, the lip being of good size and pure white. The panicles are 3 or 
4 feet long, but have been produced as much as 8 or 9 feet long, and they 
last for considerable time in flower. 
In other houses Masdevallias are numerous and good, as well as many 
other Orchids which cannot be enumerated now, as other departments 
demand a word or two. 
Amaryllises. —For something like a quarter of a century Mr.Williams 
has paid attention to the improvement of Amaryllises, and many highly 
meritorious varieties have been raised and honoured with certificates. 
Especial efforts have been made to heighten and diversify the colours, 
and with a large share of success, for some of the best coloured 
varieties have emanated from the Holloway nurseries. The stock 
now includes thousands of plants in all stages, from seedlings which have 
not yet flowered to specimens of considerable size and age. These 
occupy several houses, but the deficiency of accommodation has been long 
felt, and to better provide for them a span-roofed house has been com¬ 
menced 80 feet long and 18 feet wide, which it is intended to devote to 
Amaryllises. There the collection will be seen to some advantage, and 
some brilliant displays may be expected which under the present arrange¬ 
ments would be impossible. The plants have been in flower for some 
weeks now, and several of the earlier varieties are past their best, but the 
finest of those still in flower are the following: — 
Scarlet .—General Gordon, very rich, fine form; Grandidens, dark; 
Cruentum, handsome form, most effective; Quartermaster, dark; William 
Pitt, glowing, with white bars at the base ; Firefly, very bright; Unique, 
an old and interesting variety; Magniflora, of great size ; apd Dr. Masters, 
one of the best formed types. Crimson .—Beauty of Reigate, dark and 
rich ; and Crimson King, a handsome variety, with a white central bar. 
Striped .— Loveliness, white and rose; Holfordi, crimson ami white; 
Cleopatra, crimson and white; Guiding Star, crimson and white; and 
bicolor, also crimson and white. Mrs. B. S. Williams is still the best of the 
white-flowered varieties, very pure and beautiful. A large number of careful 
crosses between the best varieties have been made this season, and will add, 
no doubt, to the number of useful varieties. 
The houses of Ferns, Nepenthes, Camellias, Ericas, Palms, and mis¬ 
cellaneous stove plants, amongst which the Dipladenias are particularly 
numerous and healthy, are all attractive, as novelties abound in every 
department, and all alike are distinguished by a most satisfactory 
condition. 
WHAT IS AN AMATEUR? 
The question as to what is an amateur, which seems now to be 
perplexing the minds of the members of the National Auricula and 
Carnation Societies, was some time ago brought before the National Rose 
Society’s Committee, and their decision (comprising, as the Committee 
does, most of the leading nurserymen and amateurs) may be, I think, 
accepted as the best decision to be arrived at. It was felt that so many 
gentlemen and even noblemen disposed of the surplus stock of their 
gardens that it would be difficult to say that one who did so was not an 
amateur, although in some cases they sailed perilously near the wind ; 
but that each case should be separately adjudicated upon by the Com¬ 
mittee. But it was their unanimous opinion that when anyone published 
a catalogue and solicited orders he must be classed as a nurseryman ; 
and, indeed, one case in which an amateur who took up Roses as his 
hobby but afterwards did so, did occur, but then with good taste he 
voluntarily withdrew from the amateur classes.— Old Exhibitor. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Scientific Committee, April 22nd. 
The following abridged report we were unable to insert last week. 
There were present at the meeting A. Grote, Esq., in the chair, Messrs. 
Pascoe, Mangles, Maclachlan, Glaisher, Wilson, Smith, Boulger, Ridley, 
Loder, Houston, and Rev. G. Henslow. 
Rhododendron Hybrids. —Mr. Mangles exhibited a large basketful of 
beautiful Rhododendrons, including the following remarkable hybrids :— 
Anderson Henry, a triple hybrid, raised by Mr. A. Henry from E. for- 
mosum crossed by R. Dalhousiae, crossed by R. Nuttalli, and with very- 
large white funnel-shaped flowers with yellow throat—the foliage is dark 
green; R. Yeitchii crossed by R. Edgworthii, with large crimped petals 
and wide mouth—highly scented ; it is called Otto Forster ; a hybrid 
between R. Thomsoni and R. Fortunei, of crimson flower and dark foliage. 
Its stamens have “ contabescent ” or imperfect anthers, not unfrequently 
seen in hybrids. Another called the Countess of Haddington is the 
offspring of R. Dalhousife crossed by R. ciliatum and Princess Alice, 
raised from R. Edgworthii crossed by R. ciliatum. He also showed the 
following species -R. virgatum, a species with small pink axillary flowers 
interspersed amongst the leaves, not unlike a Weigela; R. pendulum, a 
rare species, described as an epiphyte upon Oaks, and remarkable for the 
closely tomentose under surface of the leaves. It refuses to hybridise. 
The Weather of the Winter 1883M.— Mr. Glaisher read an interesting 
paper on the remarkably high temperature of the last winter. See next page. 
Arum proboscideum. —Mr. Wilson exhibited a blossom of this curious 
flower, a native of Italy. . . 
Equisetum telmateia.— Mr. Houston exhibited specimens showing spikes 
with branched apices, covered with sporangia in every case. 
Narcissus Hmbocodium (Monstrous). —Mr. Boulger showed a species of 
Narcissus Bulbocodium with several flowers confluent and the parts 
variously multiplied in consequence. 
