April 21, 1881. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
817 
breaks tbe camel’s back, and if I am the cause of removing even a 
few straws this letter will do a little good.—W m. Tayloi;. 
DENDROBIUM WARDIANUM. 
This handsome Orchid is so well known that it scarcely needs 
description, but rarely is such a remarkably fine variety seen as 
that of which a flower is represented its natural size in fig. 75. 
The plant from which this was taken I recently noticed in one of 
the houses under the charge of Mr. Scutt, gardener to A. W. 
Gadesden, Esq., Ewell Castle, Surrey, the specimen having growths 
about a yard long, bearing the enormous flowers two or three 
together, each as large as that shown in the woodcut. The plant 
was in a basket suspended from the roof of tbe house over the 
path, and at once attracted attention, although other richly 
coloured and imposing flowers were uncommonly numerous in the 
same structure. The flower selected was 5 inches in diameter 
from tip to tip of the petals, each of which was 1^ to li- inch in 
breadth. The sepals and petals were of great substance, white 
tipped with bright crimson ; the lip being of a clear yellow hue 
with two intensely rich crimson blotches at the base. It is doubt¬ 
ful if this superb variety has ever been surpassed in the size of the 
flower and richness of the colouring.—L. 
BOUVARDIAS. 
BouvAkdias may be grown successfully by amateurs if an 
ordinary amount of attention is paid to them. They are easier to 
grow than the majority of plants that do not produce half so 
many choice flowers in return. Their propagation is effected by 
means of cuttings, which should be inserted as early in the spring 
as possible. The points of the young shoots about 3 inches in 
length root readily if inserted in 5-inch pots and placed in the 
propagating frame or under bellglasses and plunged in brisk 
I’ig. 75.—DENDROHIUM WARBIANUM. 
bottom heat. When rooted the young plants must not be left in 
the cutting pots until the roots are matted together. As soon as 
the cuttings are sufficiently rooted they should be at once placed 
in 2-inch pots well drained. If slight bottom heat can be afforded 
for a time the young plants will make much better progress, and 
at the same time increased ventilation will be necessary to main¬ 
tain a sturdy growth. The shoots require pinching to form bushy 
plants and lay a good foundation for well-developed specimens. 
The points of the young plants must be taken out after the first 
potting, as if allowed to grow unstopped much time is wasted, 
and at the end of the season the plants would have to be cut 
back. When they have filled their pots with roots they should be 
transferred to 5 or 6-inch pots, and repotting afterwards should 
be attended to as they require it. The compost most suitable is 
rich fibry loam three parts to one part of leaf soil and cow dung, 
with plenty of coarse sand to keep the whole porous. 
Watering should be done carefully, especially just after the 
plants are potted, and in all stages of their growth careful appli¬ 
cations of water are necessary. After plants have attained the 
desired size and filled the pots with roots liquid manure may be 
liberally supplied. As the season advances bottom heat can be 
dispensed with, and the plants grown under the influence of more 
air, gradually hardening them ready for the time when the exter¬ 
nal temperature will permit their being placed in cold frames, 
which will be about the beginning of June. If the plants are 
properly hardened previous to their removal to cold frames the 
lights can be removed early in August. It is advisable to keep 
the plants in pits where they can be protected in case of heavy 
rains. When the nights become cold the Bouvardias must be 
placed in a temperature of from 55° to 60°, where they will con¬ 
tinue to bloom for months, and plants that have attained a fair 
size will not fail to produce their beautiful flowers over a period 
of six months. After flowering a rest will fee required, which can 
be given by keeping them a little drier and cooler for a time. 
They can then be pruned, turned out of their pots, partially 
reduced, and repotted in the compost recommended above. They 
should have gentle warmth afforded them to start into growth, 
similar to what would be given to Fuchsias. A vinery just started 
is a capital place for them. The following are six excellent varie¬ 
ties Elegans, Hogarth, Queen of the Roses, Vreelandii, Bridal 
Wreath, and Maiden’s Blush— William Blomiley ( Abridged 
from a Paper read before the Members of the Liverpool Horti¬ 
cultural Association). 
Chrysanthemums in Pots. —The large pots I employed for 
Chrysanthemums last year had four plants in each ; if this was 
