JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
400 
this country for nearly two hundred years, being first raised from 
seed sent from Virginia in the garden then belonging to the Bishop 
of London at Fulham and was highly esteemed, and it is still 
regarded as one of our best hardy plants. It is found in all the 
mountainous districts of the eastern United States. 
Cultivation and Propagation .—It grows fairly well in ordinary 
border soil, but it delights most in a mixture of peat, leaf soil, and 
sand in a damp and shady border ; a partially shaded position ; 
and if protected from strong winds so much the more likely is it 
that the period of beauty will be extended. Soon after flowering 
the stem dies. In this particular it differs greatly from the 
Siberian species, as the stems of that plant are much more per¬ 
sistent. The only way to propagate it is by division unless seed 
is imported, but that is unnecessary, as it rapidly increases ; and 
this should be done in early autumn or very early spring before 
the plants are in active growth, so as to cause as little check as 
possible to them. 
The Siberian Lungwort (M. sibirica) is quite a distinct plant. 
It produces large fleshy rootstocks, with the upper surface crowded 
with active buds. The leaves are large, ovate lanceolate, smooth 
and glaucous, arising from the top of the rootstock. Flower- 
stems stout, fleshy, leafy, freely branched, with pendulous clusters 
of pale porcelain blue tubular flowers, with the unexpanded flowers 
pink. The corolla is not so open as in the last species, while the 
tubes are rather longer. It is very free, first appearing in June 
and lasting till the end of summer; the graceful disposition of 
the flowers and abundance in which they are produced rendering 
it a most distinct and useful hardy plant. As its specific name 
implies it is a native of Siberia, and can endure our most severe 
winters. There is also a variety named M. sibirica alba with 
flowers scarcely warranting the appellation, but still very distinct 
from those of the typical form. They are both plants, as well as 
the Virginian species, which all lovers of hardy flowers ought to 
possess. 
Cultivation and Propagation .—Unlike the last, the Siberian 
Lungwort does not require peat, as it thrives admirably in ordi¬ 
nary garden soil, especially if placed in a damp position. It 
grows very freely and flowers profusely, and it is necessary to 
stake the flower stems, as the weight of the flowers with the rain 
forces them to the ground and they are covered with dirt. This 
is readily increased by division of the rootstock in early spring 
previous to growth commencing, or by striking the cuttings in a 
cold frame. Last season a plant in a damp position abundantly 
multiplied itself from seed, which ripened upon the plant and fell 
to the soil, where it readily germinated, and quite a colony of 
young plants surrounded the mother plant. 
As the leaves and young stems of these plants are very fleshy 
and tender they are eagerly devoured by slugs, and it is necessary 
during their early growth to keep a sharp look-out for those 
depredators, or they will completely demolish the young shoots, 
and consequently ruin the plant as far as the flowering resources 
are concerned for the season. The spray figured was obtained 
from the collection of Mr. Ware at Tottenham.— Hortus. 
APPLES. 
I think that if the election of Apples is continued and writers 
of the “ Wiltshire Rector’s ” type follow, the weeding pro¬ 
cess being still carried out, we shall very soon have our lists of 
Apples brought to such narrow limits that there will be little if 
any difficulty in selecting. I cannot entertain the idea of being 
confined to about a dozen varieties, no matter how good they 
may be. For the past fifty years I have been an admirer and 
cultivator of that most invaluable and indispensable fruit the 
Apple, and there is nothing like home-grown Apples. We all like 
them, and with good selecting, good cultivating, and careful 
storing they are to be had in condition the year round. I fear 
that many of the kinds we knew in our youthful days are fast 
disappearing, but I have been trying to keep the neglected ones 
together as a legacy and to help others. What I mean by a 
legacy is to continue in cultivation such sorts as the Bertie Bitter¬ 
sweet, or Nicholson’s Sweet Apple that used to be so prized in 
the early harvest time ; the Redstreak, White and Red Jenneting 
fast disappearing ; Maudlin, or, as the Manual has it, Madeline, a 
charming summer Apple almost lost in our locality. We remem¬ 
ber many Apples such as the Old Hangdowns, the Dog’s Snouts, 
the Barndoor, the Dovecote, the Backdoor Swing, Lady Finger, 
the Cass Apple, Eve, the Flowery town, Hunthouse, large and 
small, the Summer and Winter T®a-Shilling, and the Cockpit. 
The Striped Beefing is one of the very best Apples for market pur¬ 
poses in our northern locality, a free grower, capital bearer, and 
fruit of large size ; the old favourite Russet, or, as it is called by 
[ May 18, 1882. 
some, Leathercoat, Tanfield Red, Ironsides, and others might be 
named which have a history peculiar to themselves.— Pyrtjs 
Malus. 
ORCHIDS IN MAY. 
The Orchids are now growing vigorously, and it is, therefore, 
important to maintain a moist atmosphere by frequent and copious 
waterings upon the paths when the weather is warm and the sun’s 
rays strong, while the houses should be carefully shaded, and air 
given by means of the bottom ventilators. The houses are at 
present very gay, and prominent amongst the many attractions 
are the following :— 
Arpophyllum giganteum, with its handsome spikes of deep rose- 
coloured flowers, is in fine condition. This is similar to a Laelia in 
growth, and thrives well in the Cattleya house. 
Brassia verrucosa is flowering well and makes a grand display, 
producing fine spikes of numerous light olive-green blossoms 
spotted with purple at the base, and with a white lip marked with 
green warts. This succeeds in the Cattleya house, and requires a 
compost of fibrous peat, loam, and broken crocks. 
Burlingtonia fragrans is exhaling its May-like odour from its 
numerous pure white flowers with yellow-tinted lip. This is a fine 
basket plant. 
Cyrtopodium Andersonii and C. punctatum are producing their 
spikes, promising a good display, the latter being the freer of the 
two. These thrive best at the coolest end of the East Indian 
house in good fibrous peat and loam, with a liberal supply of liquid 
manure when the spikes are advanced. 
Dendrobium calceolus has a fine spike of from ten to twelve 
bright yellow flowers. It is a free-growing Dendrobe, its only 
defect being the short duration of the blossoms. D. crystallinum 
somewhat resembles D. Bensoniae in growth, but is much easier of 
cultivation. It is showing its numerous purple-tipped white flowers 
with orange lip. D. Falconeri, one of the finest of the genus, is 
producing its lovely blooms, which are of a pale rose colour tipped 
with violet, and with a pale yellow lip, and remains in perfection 
for about a fortnight. D. fimbriatum has large brilliant yellow 
and elegantly fringed flowers, and D. f. oculatum has orange yellow 
blood-spotted blossoms, and both are now at their best. 
Epidendrum bicornutum.—This handsome species from the West 
Indies is in bloom, its branching spikes from the top of its hollow 
pseudo-bulbs bearing from eight to twelve pure white fragrant 
flowers, which last for about three weeks. It thrives best over a 
warm-water tank. 
Calanthe Dominii.—This fine hybrid, with its beautiful lilac 
purple-lipped flowers, is now very beautiful, as are also C. masuca, 
with deep lilac flowers, and C. veratrifolia, bearing pure white 
blossoms and lasting a long time. These should now be removed 
into a drier atmosphere, and the roots never allowed to be¬ 
come dry. 
Cattleya Aclandise, with its lovely yellowish green flowers and 
rich rose-coloured lip, is blooming finely, and will last some time in 
perfection. It should always be grown near the glass and kept 
well watered, as it is very impatient of drought. C. citrina has 
large beautiful citron yellow flowers, exhaling a delicious Jonquil¬ 
like perfume, and is now very attractive. This is a block plant, 
and should always be grown in a downward position, as it differs 
from the other Cattleyas in having a pendant habit of growth. 
C. intermedia has a fine spike of from five to seven light rose- 
coloured flowers. This is a grand Cattleya for this time of the 
year, and is exceedingly effective. It is of easy culture. A plant 
in a 7-inch pot will sometimes carry four spikes, three with seven 
and one with five flowers, making twenty-six blooms in all. C. 
Mendelii and its varieties are now producing their blooms, ranging 
from pure white to dark pink, scarcely two being alike. C. Mossise 
and its varieties are finely in bloom at present, and are always a 
study for the Orchid lover, the varieties being even more diversified 
than those of C. Mendelii. In fact, out of one hundred plants we 
might select about forty varieties. 
Lselia purpurata is very lovely now with its large richly coloured 
fragrant flowers, having pure white sepals and petals, and a 
rich violet-crimson lip, and remaining beautiful for a considerable 
time. 
Maxillaria venusta has large fragrant white flowers, and is now 
blooming well, as is also M. luteo alba with creamy white blossoms. 
This thrives in the cool house, but now when in flower should 
be removed to the warm house, in order that the blooms may last 
longer. 
The Masdevallia house is at present rendered gay and attractive 
by the violet-crimson flowers of M. Harryana, the orange-scarlet 
blooms of M. ignea, and the rich magenta-coloured blossoms of 
M. Lindenii. 
