June 22, 1882. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
515 
after, and when of good size transplanted with much soil about 
the roots. In this manner they do not flag to any serious extent, 
and are not much eaten. After all we must give most credit to a 
brood of semi-wild ducks, which have destroyed innumerable slugs 
without greatly interfering with the growing vegetables, Aspara¬ 
gus excepted. The hen mother was confined in a coop under a 
tree, and the ducks allowed the run of the garden and otherwise 
treated like chickens. They were fed, but not overfed, in order 
to insure a maximum amount of work with a minimum amount of 
injury. If they were very hungry, this happening during dry 
weather, more food was given, or the Strawberries, before they 
were netted, were greedily swallowed. They are apt to sit about 
on Pinks and Carnations, &c., but I find an old mat over a 
trellised cistern proves a more attractive resting-place. Seeing 
the ducks at work of an evening has been a very pleasing sight to 
me, knowing so well the trouble and anxiety they prevent.— 
W. Iggulden. 
PACHYSTOMA THOMSONIANUM. 
Dwarf Orchids of real decorative value are not by any means 
abundant if we except the Cypripediums and those charming 
“ Indian Crocuses ” the Pleiones ; but in the distinct West African 
plant Pachystoma Thomsonianum we have a welcome and a valu¬ 
able addition to the group. It has been repeatedly observed that 
this Orchid possesses a remarkable resemblance in general appear¬ 
ance to the last-named favourites, and the fact is evident, but at 
the same time it is not in any danger of being mistaken for them ; 
the chief feature, which is suggestive of similarity, being the 
number of rosy white flowers produced on peduncles a few inches 
w 
Fig. 102.— Pachystoma iiiomsoniantjm. 
high, presenting a mass of blooms close to the surface of the soil. 
When the plant is grown in a pan or wide shallow pot this 
character constitutes their great claim to attention, as, if well 
flowered, an excellent and striking effect is produced. 
The pseudo-bulbs are small, somewhat egg-shaped, the leaves 
6 or 8 inches long, the peduncles bearing one to three flowers each. 
The sepals and petals are narrow, pure white, with a glossy shining 
surface ; the lip being divided into three narrow acute segments 
of an intensely rich rosy purple that, contrasted with the other 
portions of the flower, is very attractive. 
This species is of recent introduction, having been obtained a 
few years since by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons of Chelsea from the 
West Coast of Africa, where it was collected by Mr. Kalbreyer, 
and at his request it was named in honour of Mr. Thomson, who 
has long been a resident in that district. It was first exhibited 
before the Royal Horticultural Society at South Kensington on 
October 14th, 1879, when a first-class certificate was awarded 
for it. The woodcut represents one of Messrs. Yeitch’s speci¬ 
mens, and admirably indicates the distinguishing characters of 
the plant. 
THE WEATHER IN DURHAM. 
Since the 10th inst. we have suffered a series of gales from 
nearly all points of the compass ; but the climax seemed to arrive 
on Wednesday the 14th inst., when the wind blew almost a hurri¬ 
cane from the north-east. Except during the middle of the day 
it has been bitterly cold, and even hardy plants made no head¬ 
way. The foliage of forest trees is torn and lacerated in a fright¬ 
ful manner. More particularly does this apply to Planes and 
Chestnuts ; but even English Elms have their hard rough leaves 
bruised and blackened in a way that is pitiful to see. 
Plants in herbaceous borders, except in the most sheltered posi¬ 
tions, are battered and knocked almost past recognition. Antir- 
