June 26, 1884. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
509 
are £8, £5, and £3. It is a most liberal schedule, and will undoubtedly 
be well attended by exhibitors. 
- The Forests of Europe are estimated to cover 500,000,000 
of acres, or nearly 20 per cent, of the surface of the Continent. In 
British North America there are said to be 900,000,000 of acres of forest 
in the United States 560 000,000, in South America 700,000,000. The 
total thus estimated for Europe and America alone is equal to 3,600,000 
geographical miles, each containing 736 English acres. 
- It is said that over 500,000 Bose trees are annually imported 
into America from England, France, and Holland. 
- A Flower Pot has been patented in Illinois which is de" 
scribed as so constructed that a quantity of water will be retained in the 
lower part of the pot, and at the same time air will have access to and 
circulate around the roots of the plant, thereby promoting rapid growth. 
•- That Irises rank amongst the best of town flowers is evident 
by the grand display of them at Alpha House, Regent’s Park. For 
some time the German varieties have been magnificent, now the Spanish 
varieties are dazzling by the richness of their colours, and these in turn 
will be followed by the “ English,” which are just commencing flower¬ 
ing. About five thousand bulbs have been planted, and of other hardy 
bulbs about thirty thousand. After thus furnishing the garden and 
adding herbaceous plants from English and continental nurseries, Alpha 
House, with its beautiful lawn and grand Weeping Ash, the pride of the 
garden, is, we believe, “ in the market; ” it will be well if the next 
proprietor has the same love of flowers as has Captain Patton. 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. Samuel Taylor, late gardener 
to the late Sir Henry W. Ripley, Bart., Acacia, Rawdon, near Leeds, has 
been appointed gardener to James Lund, Esq, Malsis Hall, Crosshills, 
Leeds. 
-At the Royal Oxfordshire Horticultural Society’s 
Commemoration Show, held at Oxford on June 17th, no less than 
thirty-six first and other prizes were awarded to the produce of seeds 
supplied by Messrs. Webb & Sons, the Queen’s Seedsmen, Wordsley, 
Stourbridge. 
- Erratum.—I would ask permission to correct a clerical error in 
the beginning of the last paragraph of my “ Notes from Bournemouth,” 
which should read “ Would be incomplete without a reference being 
made to Mr. E. White’s floral establishment in the Holderness Road,” 
and “ the summer and winter garden between the Priory and 
Cranbourne Roads.” The latter belongs to a “ company,” and is situated 
at least a mile from Mr. White’s place. And “ John Lellom, Esq.,” 
should read “John Sellom, Esq.”—H. W. Ward. 
NOTES ON ORCHIDS. 
Cattleyas from Southport.— R. P. Percival, Esq., Clevelands, 
Southport, has sent us a box of magnificent Cattleya blooms, re¬ 
presenting a large number of distinct and handsome varieties of 
C. Mossise, C. Mendeli, C. gigas, and C. Sanderiana, the last-named 
being superb. Cattleyas are grandly grown at Clevelands. The 
plants are of wonderful strength, and flower proportionately freely, 
the blooms attaining great size and richness of colour. The varieties 
of C. Mossim differ considerably in the colour, especially in the 
veiling of the lip, some being of the brightest gold, and others 
much lighter. The sepals and petals, too, are in some pale blush, 
and in others of a deep crimson-rose. C. Mendeli is less varied, but 
the colouring of the lip also differs, and a few are nearly pure white. 
C. handeriana is most handsome, one fine spike having six grand 
flowers with the lips of unusual size and the richest crimson. Mr. 
Percival has carefully studied the requirements of his plants, and, 
assisted by his gardener, Mr. Beddoes, he has succeeded in producing 
some of the best grown and most healthy Cattleyas in the country, 
which during their season of flowering constitute an Orchid exhibi¬ 
tion of unexcelled beauty. 
Orchids at Regent’s Park. —The Orchids at the Royal Botanic 
Society’s Exhibition last week included many specimens of more 
than ordinary merit, which could not be fully referred to in our report. 
The collection from Mr. Salter, gardener to J. Southgate, Esq., 
Selborne, Streatham, was in every way deserving of the honour it 
received, for the plants were admirable examples of good culture, 
and represented some fine varieties. Oncidium macranthum mag- 
mficum, which was certificated, is a handsome variety, with flowers 
of great size, the sepals beautifully margined with yellow, most 
effective, and one of the best varieties that has yet been obtained. 
Dendrobium Bensonim was well shovm by several competitors ; but 
Mr. Salter’s specimen, a fine bush-like plant about 2 feet in diameter, 
was especially handsome, and showed the beauty of this free-flower¬ 
ing and pretty species to the best advantage. Cattleya Mossim 
Southgatei, a magnificent variety, with large richly coloured flowers, 
was in first-rate condition, as also was Dendrobium suavissimum, 
3 feet through, and loaded with golden spikes. Mr. Salter has 
repeatedly given good indications of his cultural skill, but on this 
occasion he surpassed his previous efforts. Prominent in Mr. Cobb’s 
collection were Lselia purpurata with four fine spikes, and Odonto- 
glossum vexillarium in vigorous health, bearing ten spikes of good- 
coloured flowers. Mr. Child, The Gardens, Garbrand Hall, had an 
extremely well-grown Aerides Lobbi with two panicles, one having 
four long branches, and the other with three, and one long un¬ 
branched spike. This was a particularly fine plant, and with Cypri- 
pedium Stonei major, which had eighteen large flowers, and Aerides 
Fieldingi floribunda, were the principal specimens in that class. 
The nurserymen’s Orchids were not quite up to the usual standard. 
Mr. James had several showy specimens, including Cattleya Mossim 
well flowered, Odontoglossum Pescatorei with an unusually large 
panicle of flowers, and the distinct Odontoglossum caudatum aureum. 
Mr. Cypher’s most notable plant was Brassavola Digbyana, with 
several of its large white flowers and deeply fringed lips. Sir Trevor 
Lawrence’s unique collection of Masdevallias attracted much atten¬ 
tion, as it comprised several rare and interesting species, such as 
M. bella, M. Backhouseana, with about two dozen flowers ; M. platy- 
glossa, M. Wagneri, M. tridactylites, and M. rosea. M. Harryana 
was represented by several good varieties. 
Pruning Dendrobiums. —I have seen many communications upon 
this subject, but my experience is quite opposite to those who advo¬ 
cate the removal of the old pseudo-bulbs. In several cases which 
I have carefully tested, the growths resulting after the pruning have 
been much smaller than the preceding, and this has led me to the 
conclusion that some advantage is derived from the old stems. If 
this is not so why do they remain plump for so long after they become, 
as the pruning advocates maintain, useless ?—W. 
Maxillakia Harrisoni. —This old inhabitant of our gardens is 
not half so much grown as it deserves to be, for it is very rarely met 
with, especially in those establishments where Orchids form the chief 
feature. The flow’ers are indeed beautiful and highly fragrant, a 
recommendation alone which should command for it a place. It 
does well in a cool house all the year round, and under cool treatment 
flowers profusely at this season. It is, however, rather benefited 
than otherwise by being placed in an intermediate temperature while 
making its growth, as it is made quicker in heat than under cool 
treatment; and this is an advantage, because the pseudo-bulbs can be 
better and more completely ripened earlier in the season, thus allow¬ 
ing of a longer and more complete season of rest. This is important, 
for before the plant can be termed free-flowering it must enjoy a 
lengthened and complete rest, which will cause it to flower as freely 
as any Orchid. This Maxillaria is one of those plants which if kept 
in heat the whole year commences growth almost directly one set of 
pseudo-bulbs has been made, and when subject to this treatment the 
foliage soon presents a sickly appearance, and the plants seldom flower. 
This is a very accommodating Orchid, and can be grown success¬ 
fully in either a pot or a basket, the former being preferable. The 
Odontoglossum or cool house is not the best position to which to rest 
it. for the atmosphere is too moist. When growth is completed it 
will rest well in a vinery or any cool house w T here the atmosphere 
is moderately dry. While at rest no more water should be given at 
the roots than is really necessary to keep the pseudo-bulbs and foliage 
from shrivelling. While growing liberal supplies of water are bene¬ 
ficial. This plant grows well in peat fibre and lumps of charcoal, 
with the surface covered with living sphagnum moss. 
Odontoglossum vexillarium. — Judging this Orchid from a 
gardener’s point of view it is perhaps the best of all Odontoglots ; 
the beautiful varieties of O. Alexandras might perhaps be excepted. 
It would indeed be very difficult to name any Orchid more floriferous, 
for the smallest little plant will produce large flowers if allowed to 
do so. It is, however, a mistake to allow them to flower in too small 
a state, for the progress of the plants is much impeded by early 
flowering. Healthy specimens in 5 and 6-inch pots often produce 
during the spring and early summer months as many as four and 
five spikes each, bearing the same number of large flowers on each 
spike. A plant of this description well bloomed is in itself a picture, 
but a few dozen plants arranged amongst Masdevallias and other 
varieties of Orchids in a little house are delightful. 
The demand now amongst enthusiasts is for dark forms of thi3 
lovely flower, and doubtless they are the most beautiful, but they aro 
