August 2, 1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
97 
Bkill such a spot might be made the most pleasing, because most natural 
and novel, spot in the garden.—W eb Feet. 
SCUTICARIA DODGSONI. 
Several species of Scuticaria are grown in collections of Orchids, 
but they are not very generally known, except perhaps S. Steeli, 
which is one of the standard curiosities, its long narrow terete 
leaves giving it a very peculiar appearance when suspended from 
the roof of a house. S. Hadweni is another species so much like 
the preceding that it might be readily mistaken for it, the chief 
difference being that the flowers of the last-named are more erect. 
That, however, of which a plant is shown in the woodcut, fig. 20, 
is not so common, though it is one of the most distinct and striking. 
Our engraving represents one of Mr. B. S. Williams’ plants, and 
I mean first or second earlies. I should feel inclined to place it in the 
former class. In many respects it resembles Snowflake, but I have found 
the quality superior, and with me it is ten days earlier and just a week 
in advance of First Crop Kidney, all planted the same day. Early 
Vermont and Early Bose run it close in maturing, but the last is inferior 
in quality to several others I grow. It is an enormous cropper, increas¬ 
ing fiftyfold.—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
A HORTICULTURIST’S HOLIDAY. 
The old Romans used to say of any day that had been peculiarly 
happy and fortunate that it ought to be marked with white chalk, and I 
am quite sure that any of those who joined in the excursion made by the 
Horticultural Club on Friday last will agree with me that it ought to be 
marked with the very whitest of white chalk. Everything conspired to- 
make it a success. A fine day, interesting spots to be visited, a goodly 
company who could appreciate the various spots of interest, and last 
i. 
Fig. 20.—SCUTICARIA DODGSOXI. 
respecting the species he writes in the “ Orchid Growers’ Manual ” 
as follows—“ This is a very distinct and handsome species. The leaves 
are terete, some 12 or 15 inches long, and dark green ; flower spike 
short, bearing two flowers; sepals and petals light brown inside, 
darker at the base, and blotched with light yellow ; lip white, beauti¬ 
fully streaked with light rose and yellow.” This so exactly describes 
the plant that it need not be supplemented, except to state that a 
first-class certificate was awarded for it by the Royal Horticultural 
Society, April 24th of the present year. 
Cosmopolitan Potato. —This was raised by Mr. R. Dean, and, as 
I saw by the Journal at the time, received a first-class certificate from 
the Royal Horticultural Society and the silver medal at Birmingham 
last year. It was put in commerce by Messrs. Carters, Holborn, London, 
and from them I obtained it. I am anxious to hear the opinion of any 
of your readers who may have grown it as compared with others— 
but certainly not least, the presence of ladies (without whom an excur¬ 
sion of this kind is apt to be solemnly priggish), for it was determined 
that this element of enjoyment should not be wanting ; and the feeling,. 
I believe, which pervaded all, that while it was not possible to get on 
without eating or drinking, that yet this should not be made, as it too 
often is, the raison d’etre of a picnic, and “ all went merry as a marriage 
bell,” not a hitch occurred, and I think that as the objects of interest 
visited were of general interest, I may, on leaving all matters connected 
with it personally on one side, just give a slight sketch of the day’s 
proceedings. 
The trysting place was at Slough, where between thirty and forty 
met, and the first spot of interest was Mr. Charles Turner’s nursery,, 
through which a rapid run was made, and where the marvellous collec¬ 
tions of Carnations and Picotees in their full bloom was a revelation to 
some and an immense treat to others. To myself it was especially so, 
for owing to parochial engagements I knew that I should be unable to 
attend the great gathering of florists which is to take place on Tuesday 
next to do honour to the king of florists, for as such I think Mr. Turner 
must be looked upon ; and 1 must confess that to me it is an infinitely 
greater treat to see them growing than to behold them laid out on their 
