JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
August 31, 1882. ] 
193 
There are different methods of training the plants, to two of 
which I will allude as being presumably the best. A stake will 
have been placed to the young plants, but this in most instances 
will at planting time have to be replaced with a stronger one 
reaching up to the trellis, which should not be more than 12 inches 
from the glass. With some it is the custom to stop the plants 
when they reach the trellis and to train three or more growths, 
which follow up nearly the full length of the house, by which time 
the plants will have gained much strength and capable of perfect¬ 
ing some of the fruit produced on the laterals, which the main 
growths push out after being stopped ; in this case the plants 
should be disposed at least 6 feet apart. 1 believe it is a better 
plan not to stop the plants till the leading growth has reached the 
end of the trellis near the apex of the roof, the lateral growth 
following to be trained about 18 inches apart, or according to the 
wires, after the manner of an horizontally-trained Pear tree, stop¬ 
ping when the plants meet, and fruiting the sub-laterals following 
this second stopping ; in this case the plants may be disposed 
from 10 to 12 feet apart. In each case all the young growth 
should be kept thinned out, and those retained be stopped at the 
first joint beyond the fruit, or undue crowding will result. The 
object of the cultivator should be to secure strong thinly disposed 
growth calculated to hear the strain of fruiting at an inclement 
period of the year. The supernumeraries whether in pots or 
planted out may be disposed between the permanent plants and 
trained up the trellis till about 6 feet in length, when they may 
be stopped and fruited from the growths following. When ex¬ 
hausted, which they soon will be, they should be pulled out, so 
as to afford space for the permanent plants. We have grown pro¬ 
fitable crops on plants in pots disposed at the sides and back of 
Pine stoves and other light well-heated structures. 
The foliage of winter Cucumbers must be robust, and therefore 
the plan sometimes adopted of rapidly growing Cucumbers in a 
high temperature and a close and moist atmosphere will not 
answer, this inevitably resulting in thin unserviceable foliage at 
this season of the year. Moisture either in the atmosphere or at 
the roots is not required in great quantities. The plants ought 
not to be allowed to become very dry at the roots, but they do not 
require half the water that is given the spring and summer crops. 
The foliage should be syringed only when the house is closed after 
air has been given on a clear day, and then only lightly. It is 
advisable to admit a little air during the hottest part of every 
clear day. In fact, we find it a good plan to admit air by a 
“ chink ” towards noon every day unless the outer temperature 
be extremely low or the weather prove otherwise unfavourable. 
Overcropping must be avoided. 
Early next season I hope to be able to offer a few hints 
upon growing spring and summer crops of Cucumbers, also upon 
Melon culture in connection with Cucumbers and separately.— 
W. IGGULDEN. 
ODONTOGLOSSUMS. 
(Continued from page 107.) 
Comparatively few of even the most distinct and really useful 
forms of this genus have been yet mentioned in these notes, and 
before giving an outline of the cultivation some of the best may 
be briefly described, commencing with that well-known Orchid 
Odontoglossum vexillarium .—Though of recent introduction 
compared with other popular species, this has advanced very fast 
in general favour, and it unquestionably deserves a place amungst 
the most useful Orchids in cultivation. A dozen or so plants in 
bloom have a most beautiful effect, and such displays as may be 
occasionally seen in the chief Orchid-growing nurseries grandly 
exemplify the value of the species for decorative purposes. 
Arranged with Ferns, such as Adiantum cuneatum or small 
Pterises, they have a charming effect, their large rosy or deli¬ 
cately tinted flowers being produced in numbers by healthy 
plants. The great size of the flowers and their soft distinct hue 
render them highly attractive either alone or associated with other 
Orchids, and it is not surprising that their culture is being so 
much extended. Several distinct varieties have also been obtained, 
one named superbum being remarkable for the great size of the 
blooms ; another (rubrum) is equally notable for the deep colour 
of the flowers ; and a third termed rubellum, though having rather 
smaller flowers than the others, is notable for the period at 
which the rosy blooms are produced—namely, during autumn, 
until late in the season. 
Two other species closely allied to the preceding are 0. Phalas- 
nopsis and 0. Roezlii, each possessing considerable attractions 
when in good condition, though scarcely so showy as O. vexil- 
larium, their flowers being smaller and less brightly coloured. 
However, when well treated they flower freely, and, like their 
finer relative, are very useful for culture in pots. The leaves are 
narrow and grass-like, especially in the case of 0. Roezlii, and 
quite distinct from 0. vexillarium foliage, which is less firm, and 
when very healthy assumes a peculiar metallic hue. These three 
seem to form a distinct section in the genus, the striking charac¬ 
teristic being the great relative size of the lip as compared with 
the sepals and petals, which, moreover, do not spread so much as 
in other species, thus giving the blooms a close appearance like a 
good form of O. Alexandra. It is generally found also that they 
require rather warmer quarters than the majority of the Odonto- 
glossums, and if only one house is at the command of the culti¬ 
vator they should be placed at the warmer end or in a cool posi¬ 
tion in the stove ; but it must be borne in mind that, like most 
other forms of the genus, these require abundant ventilation and 
a moist atmosphere, and a cool base upon which to stand the 
pots. 
0. maculatum .—On the score of showiness this, perhaps, has 
little claim to notice, yet the neat flowers have some attraction, 
and wherever it is desired to form a collection of the best species 
it should by no means be omitted. One recommendation it pos¬ 
sesses is that the flowers are produced during the winter and early 
spring, and, as they last well, a few plants are always useful in 
imparting diversity to the display of Orchids. The flowers are of 
a yellowish or brownish colour, with a tinge of purple or crimson 
in the lip that is very pleasing. The regular form and sharply 
defined outline of the floral divisions are also notable characters, 
and are well shown in the woodcut (fig. 31), which represents a 
flower of an extremely fine variety from Mr. Dorman’s collection 
at Sydenham. 
0. citrosmum .—With many Orchid-growers this is deservedly a 
favourite, its pretty flowers possessing an agreeable Lemon-like 
odour, rendering it especially noteworthy in a genus which in¬ 
cludes few fragrant species. In outline the flowers are nearly 
circular, the sepals and petals being broad and rounded ; the lip 
is also broad and circular or elliptical, its purplish rosy colour 
contrasting well with the white sepals and petals. It is a Mexican 
species, and was imported thence by Mr. G. Barker of Birming¬ 
ham over forty years ago, when cultivated Orchids were far 
less numerous than they are now, and it was proportionately 
valued. It is said that the plant was given by Mr. Barker to a 
gentleman near Macclesfield, by whose gardener it was first 
shown at Chiswick in 1842. This may be successfully grown in 
company with 0. vexillarium, as it does not thrive under very 
cool treatment. 
0. cirrkosum .—Of quite recent introduction is this charming 
Orchid ; but though only six years’ trial has been accorded it, it 
has acquired a position amongst the most generally appreciated 
forms, not only of the genus but of the whole family. For bou¬ 
quets, vases, and similar floral decorations a few spikes of this 
are very welcome additions, but unfortunately they are not quite 
so lasting in beauty when cut as some others, such for instance as 
