July 24, 1884. J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
73 
■cool-house v.irietiea. If the former, such as C. Stonei, place them in the 
hottest house the cultivator possesses; if such as C. villosum, they may 
occupy the house in which they are started until thoroughly established. 
Although some are termed cool varieties, the whole enjoy heat and 
moisture while making their growth, and make much greater progress 
in heat than under cool treatment. Some jiersons pot Cypripediums 
directly they come to hand, but this is a great mistake, more especially 
for the inexperienced to practise, for if injudiciously syringed or watered, 
oven if the plants are in good condition to start with, they are very 
liable to fail. 
The autumn is undoubtedly the worst time of all to receive these 
plants and commence their cultivation when newly imported, for very 
rarely do they start into growth before the spring months. When re¬ 
ceived during the autumn months, if potted directly, death is certain, 
and this would be the case not only with beginners but those acquainted 
thoroughly with their management. Some might pass the winter safely 
in this condition and live, but only in the hands of skilled orchidists. 
Last October I purchased some imported nlants of C. Stonei and C. 
Lowei, both varieties being in good condition. Some plants of the 
former were suspended, the remainder potted, but they had to be shaken 
out and suspended, or all would have damped off. The plants remained 
«uspended all winter, and not until February did they show signs of 
forming roots, when they were mossed as detailed and kept suspended 
until a few weeks ago, when the moss was full of roots and the plants 
potted as if established. On several different occasions we have 
established these plants by keeping them suspended until they formed 
roots, and in every instance without losing a plant. 
It must be understood that there is less risk of the plants “ damping ” 
if potted during the spring months after the plants show signs of re¬ 
newed life than what there is during the winter. During the spring, 
when air can be admitted, any water that lodges in the centre is quickly 
evaporated before it has time to do any mischief, which is not the case 
during the dull sunless days of autumn and winter. After the plants 
have formed a fair number of roots they should be treated exactly the 
eame in maturing and syringing as established plants.—W. Bardney. 
A VISIT TO BELGIUM. 
Having spent nearly three days in Ghent, and having nearly two 
more at my disposal, I decided on devoting the fourth to a visit to 
Brussels and have a run through the beautiful gardens and grounds of 
Laeken Palace. I determined to start for Brussels by the nine o’clock 
express from Ghent, and on my arrival to make my way to Laeken and 
there endeavour to get an interview with Mr. Knight. I and my 
young friend M. Moll, who acted as my interpreter and guide, left Ghent 
by the nine o’clock express. The scenery is of much the same character 
a.s that between Ostend and Ghent, and which I have previously described. 
We took a return ticket to Brussels, not being quite sure whether the 
express would stop at Laeken, which is the next station to Brussels. 
After an hour and three-quarters’ ride the train stopped at Laeken. W e 
took advantage of this to get out and walk up to the Palace. Laeken is 
a. charming suburb of the equally charming city of Brussels, and besides 
its fine churches contains, in addition to the King’s Palace, several hand¬ 
some private residences. The Palace is situated about twenty minutes’ 
walk from the station. The road by which the visitor reaches the Palace 
is full of interest, as on the left are the public grounds of the Palace, 
and on the right the charmingly picturesque park of the Palace, with 
its avenues and groups of noble trees, its charming knolls and dales, and 
fine lake. The latter grounds are separated from the road by means 
of a wall, and as the road is situated somewhat high this wall answers 
the same purpose as a ha-ha would in England—viz., you can see the 
charming lake and other objects of interest to the lover of landscape 
scenery as you walk along. A few minutes’ walk after passing the lake 
and we are at the lodge of the main entrance to the Palace. Here 
we made inquiries of the head porter as to Mr. Knight’s whereabouts, 
and were disappointed to learn that he had not long before gone to 
Brussels and would not return before evening. As we were strangers we 
were not permitted to go further than the gate, so had to content ourselves 
with an exterior view of the front of the Palace, a magnificent building. 
I had heard so much of the celebrated Winter Garden at Laeken that it 
may well be imagined how disappointed I felt. As we could not gain 
admission to the Palace private grounds we started oS for a stroll round 
the prettily designed public grounds, which are situated on the other side 
of the road just described. Here within view of the Palace windows are 
fine beds of magnificent Rhododendrons and Azaleas in full bloom—a 
charming sight. Continuing our stroll a little further we then come up 
to the handsome Memorial Temple, erected to commemorate the accession 
of Leopold I. as the first King of the Belgians in 1830. It resembles the 
Albert Memorial in structure. Here we might sit and enjoy a quiet rest 
in the shade and see some of the most lovely scenery in Belgium. A fine 
view of the city of Brussels is obtained, with its undulated streets, icc., 
reminding us of Edinburgh. 
We retraced our steps through avenues of trees, and presently arrived 
at the entrance of the main thoroughfare leading to Brussels, and close to 
Laeken station. As there are plenty of tramcars running between this 
point and all parts of Brussels we rode by one of these to see as much of 
the city as possible. Presently we arrived in one of the large squares in 
front of the grand station, and, being hungry, stepped into the Hotel 
Venetien, when, after a good Belgian dinner (this is the principal meal in 
Belgium, there being no luncheon, teas, and et-cseteras as in England) we 
are prepared for a visit to the Botanical Gardens. These gardens occupy 
rather a central position, and are within a few minutes’ walk of the prin¬ 
cipal station. Although not remarkable for extent there is much to 
interest the visitor of an inquiring turn of mind, as both houses and out¬ 
door departments contain many interesting plants. There are large 
museums and a garden of medicinal plants for the use of the students of 
the School of Medicme. The gardens, which are beautifully laid out, 
occupy a high and undulated position. Near the entrance is a very pretty 
lake, in which are many choice aquatic plants. Trees and shrubs are 
well represented, but few, however, have attained a large size. Every 
plant is conspicuously labelled, and its geographical distribution shown 
by means of coloured paints on the label. Such a plan of assisting the 
students in their botanical studies must be of great benefit to them. 
Having arrived at the private portion of the garden in which are situated 
the houses not accessible to the public, but the Curator, M. Lubbers, 
courteously allowed us to look through all the private departments. One 
large house contains a valuable collection of succulent plants, presented 
not long ago to the gardens. A number of span-roof houses are filled 
with collections of medicinal plants, including many new and interesting 
stove plants. The way in which Clerodendron Balfourianum was trained 
is worthy of a note. In one of the long span-roof houses this lovely 
climber is trained in the form of a continuous horizontal cordon about 
midway down the roof. There are about half a dozen plants to go all 
round the house. The plants are placed in a bed at the side, and the 
shoots trained to meet and form the cordon line. On entering the house 
this long cordon of blooms presents a novel and interesting sight. A 
large curvilinear structure is devoted to growing a few choice Orchids 
and other plants on the sides, whilst the centre is occupied with fine 
large specimens of Tree Ferns, such as Alsophila australis, measuring 
over 30 feet high ; Cibotium princeps and regale—the latter very fine ; 
Anthurium egregium, a curious giant Aroid, and many other plants of 
botanical interest. Every plant that can be safely turned out of doors 
during summer is arranged on a bed of ashes in one corner of the private 
grounds. Continental gardeners are much wiser than we in this respect. 
We “coddle” our greenhouse and other plants far too much, as any 
one will see on inspecting the healthy and well-grown plants on the 
continent. 
Leaving the private grounds we wend our way along walks lined on 
each side with Orange and Myrtle trees in tubs, past the garden devoted 
to the School of Medicine, where the plants are arranged in their natural 
orders in geometrical beds, up to the large Museum and Palm stoves. As 
will be seen from the engraving this is a magnificent and imposing 
structure, supported by massive columns. The central dome is devoted 
to the purposes of a museum, as are also the two end wings. The glass 
corridors shown between the end wings and the dome are full of large 
interesting plants, such as Pandanus furcatus and utilis, Chrysophyllum 
imperiale, Caryota sobolifera, Attalia marclcarbiensis, and other plants. 
Long half-curvilinear houses are situated at the foot of the terrace, 
which are filled with collections of Aroids, Ferns, and other interesting 
plants, and this brings the glass departments to a close. As you stand 
on the terrace and look down on the well-kept and furnished grounds 
below one cannot help rendering our meed of praise to the genial and 
accomplished Curator, M. Lubbers, for the excellent condition of the 
several departments of this interesting garden ; and as we descend the 
steps and wend our way back to our starting point we became more and 
more interested in observing the order and scientific skill displayed 
therein. 
Quitting the gardens a tramcar outside the entrance gates for the 
Avenue Louise conveyed us to the Bois de Camhre, The Avenue Louise 
is one of the finest roads I have ever seen. It is about three miles in 
length, a splendid wide road with equally wide promenades on each side. 
A double row of handsome Horse Chestnut trees are planted on each side 
throughout the whole length. Seats are provided for the use of the public, 
and when I rode up in the afternoon and back in the evening I he 
promenades were full of persons enjoying the grateful shade and cool 
refreshing breezes these handsome trees afforded. A few minutes’ ride and 
we are at the entrance to the Bois de Camhre. On entering we parsed 
through a dense forest of Elms, Oaks, and other trees. But five minutes’ 
walk brings the visitor into a large open space full of people enjoying the 
sweet fresh air and the shade of a large tree here and there. As we have 
much to see in this beautiful place we must hurry on down dale and up 
hill, along large open spaces and fine drives till we come to the magnificent 
lake—a charming piece of water. It is truly a grand sight to see this 
large expanse of water with its large and pretty island and chMet peeping 
out of the trees, and sweeping belts of noble trees in the background. 
Here and there are boats filled with pleasure-seekers. Every step taken 
leads to a fresh scene—vistas of noble trees and picturesque landscapes. 
The site of this interesting park was formerly a dense forest in which 
the wild boar was hunted. 
Evening drawing on we reluctantly had to bid adieu to this charming 
spot and retrace our steps to Brussels, where we spent the remainder of 
the day in strolling through the principal streets and seeing the many fine 
buildings of this grand city. Amongst the most noticeable buildings are 
the Palais de la Justice, a magnificent structure costing upwards of four 
millions sterling; La Bourse, Hotel de Ville, the Cathedral of Sts. Michel 
and Gudule, Galeries St. Hubert, Maison Flamande (the splendid residence 
of the Comte de Flandres), Banque Nationale, Palais du Roi, and other 
interesting sights. Completely tired out, we quitted Brussels by the 
11.15 express, and reached Ghent about midnight, having thoroughly 
enjoyed our visit to Brussels. 
The next day (Saturday) I had to return home, but wishing to make 
