February 15, 1883. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 133 
why they were so called by those who knew not the history of 
the word. But this particular Pea of large size doubtless got its 
appellation from the town of Boncevalles in France ; for there 
during the middle ages people exhibited huge bones which were 
said to be relics of a race of gigantic warriors—hence arose the 
popular comparison, w T hich transferred the name of the town to 
these Peas and to other objects specially large or remarkable. It 
does not seem to be the case that the “Runcivals ” were produced 
in the old French town, any more than that the “ Hotspurs ” 
were grown by the famous Harry ; and even at the end of last 
century there was barely a score of varieties of the Pea, which we 
now might reckon by the hundred. 
One author tells us that the price of Green Peas was usually 
high in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, so that it was worth while 
to bring supplies from Holland. When contrary winds prevailed 
these could not have reached the London market very fresh. 
Towards the end of her reign an advance was made in the culture 
of Peas near the metropolis, the citizens planting them in several 
places for their personal benefit. Goodman’s Fields was turned 
into garden plots about the beginning of the seventeenth century ; 
and that Peas were produced thereabout we conjecture from a 
Peascod Lane marked upon old maps, and subsequently changed 
into Prescot Street. The Fulham Pea, says Coles, was a variety 
that became famous owing to its being a forward kind, at least 
in that district, though probably the celebrated garden land that 
laid around the “Neat Houses” between Millbank and Chelsea, 
on the north bank of the Thames, produced Peas for the Court 
and the nobles, who lived at Westminster, before crops were raised 
at Fulham. The soil and situation were very suitable for vege¬ 
tables, if we can form correct notions of what the district was 
two hundred years or more ago that we in this era call South 
Belgravia. Upon the Surrey side of the river Yauxhall and Bat¬ 
tersea were of old repute for their Peas, and positively some are 
still gathered in the latter suburb in spite of the smoke and 
vapours that environ it; but the market gardens yet remaining 
in the vicinity of London supply only a small part of its Green 
Peas. Baskets are regularly sent by rail from many miles off. 
An ancient custom, not dead in some northern counties, con¬ 
nects the Pea with the last Sunday but one in Lent, which bears 
the name of “ Carling Sunday.” Grey Peas are soaked for a day 
and then fried in grease. Some assert the dish is to commemo¬ 
rate the picking of ears of Wheat by the Apostles as they walked 
through the fields (Matt. xii. 1). Not particularly wholesome so 
cooked, yet when ground into flour dried Peas contain all the 
elements of nutrition, rivalling Wheat and Oats. We no longer 
eat Green Peas entire as our forefathers did, but it should be 
noted that quantities are gathered for family use and also sent 
into the markets that have been allowed to grow too large. Even 
in the best kinds the skin becomes somewhat tough, and, however 
well masticated, is likely to be injurious to those who have not 
strong digestive organs.—J. B. S. C. 
ORCHIDS AT DAVENHAM BANK, MALVERN. 
Christmas is not the best time for Orchids, but judging from 
my visit recently there must be always something worth seeing 
in Mr. J. D. Perrin’s collection at Malvern, for I saw much to 
interest me, and more than I can detail in these notes. One 
noticeable fact in connection with the tropical Orchid houses is 
that they are double-glazed, and Mr. Jacques, the gardener, in¬ 
formed me that before he adopted this system it was almost im¬ 
possible to maintain a regular temperature in winter. Although 
at the foot of the hills, the houses are so situated as to be exposed 
to the cold easterly winds. The first Orchids that attracted my 
attention was a splendid batch of Dendrobium nobile, about fifty 
plants of different sizes, all showing flower remarkably well : not, 
as are sometimes seen in collections, with only a few flower buds 
at the point of the growths, but from top to bottom, as they should 
be when well flowered. These were raised close to the glass in a 
Melon house. The earliest would be introduced to heat when the 
flower buds were sufficiently developed, and so brought along in 
batches. By so doing the flowering season would be greatly pro¬ 
longed. There are few or no curiosities grown there, the houses 
being devoted to plants of sterling merit, many of the most useful 
species being in quantity. There are many other species of Den- 
drobe, such as D. densiflorum, I), tbyrsiflorum, D. Ainsworthii, 
and D. aureum. 
Nearly all the Laelias and Cattleyasare included. Lselia albida 
and L. autumnalis are largely grown. They are plants that 
deserve a place in any collection. The former is far from being 
the largest species of the genus, but when a really good variety is 
seen it is indeed very pretty. There are many varieties at Mal¬ 
vern—some small and almost pure white, others varying from 
white to light rose, and one variety I noticed in flower which is 
the best I have yet seen. The flowers individually were nearly 
3 inches in diameter, with a deep rose labellum. L. purpurata is 
represented by a number of plants of fine varieties. One house 
is devoted almost entirely to Cattleyas, comprising nearly al the 
leading species, the plants evidently enjoying the treatment they 
receive, all being in vigorous condition and making first-rate 
growth. Unfortunately at this dull season there were few in 
flower, but several plants of C. Mossiae and C. Trianm were show¬ 
ing. In this house a few other Orchids are grown, including a 
grand piece of Ccelogyne cristata (the long-bulbed variety), over 
3 feet in diameter, and when in flower it must be well worth see¬ 
ing. C. pandurata was in flower. It is certainly a very curious 
Orchid, and may by many be considered more strange than orna¬ 
mental. The sepals and petals are greenish white, the lip being 
rather peculiar in shape, deeply crested, and marked very pro¬ 
minently with black. Epidendrum prismatocarpum is well grown, 
and Mr. Jacques speaks very highly of the plant. The specimen 
in question was a large one, nearly 2 feet across, and in admirable 
condition. I observed some good plants of Vandas—viz., V. tri¬ 
color and V. suavis. A large plant of V. gigantea was flowering 
well. Although the latter is pretty when in flower, it is by no 
means a favourite Orchid in collections. Phalsenopses are well 
grown, there being some healthy plants of nearly all the best 
kinds. P. amabilis and P. grandiflora are well known and appre¬ 
ciated as elsewhere. P. Schilleriana and P. Schilleriana Stuarti- 
ana are doing well ; P. Lowii, P. violacea, and P. intermedia 
Portei are also included, the latter being highly valued for its free- 
flowering qualities. Maxillaria Lehmannii is a grand Orchid, 
suggestive of Cymbidium eburneum both in shape and colour, but 
in addition to the yellow on the lip M. Lehmannii has a dark 
streak along the outer edge. 
The Odontoglossums are numerous, and all in magnificent 
condition, bearing testimony of the good treatment they receive. 
Of 0. Alexandras there are many grand plants and splendid 
varieties. Several plants were in flower, and many others with 
the spikes far advanced, most of which were showing double 
racemes. One plant with two fully expanded racemes with 
eleven and thirteen flowers respectively was most beautiful. For 
symmetry and size of flowers I have never seen a variety to sur¬ 
pass this ; the petals were beautifully crisped, and the whole 
flowers very heavily blotched. A plant of 0. citrosmum must be 
a sight worth seeing when in flower ; it measured nearly 2 feet 
across. This plant has made pseudo-bulbs of enormous size, and 
is in the best possible condition. O. Pescatorei was carrying a 
good branched spike of flowers, with several others showing flower. 
One plant, 0. Rossii major, in flower was indeed well named, 
producing flowers of immense size and well marked, whilst 
O. vexillarium and 0. Roezlii were in the best possible condition, 
with other species of Odontoglots and cool Oncidiums. 
Masdevallias are well grown at Malvern, and flower as freely as 
could possibly be desired. The plants are not so diminutive as 
we are accustomed to seeing in some collections, but plants 
worthy the name. One plant of M. Harryana is nearly 2 feet 
through, and when in flower must be grand. M. ignea and 
M. Lindenii are also represented by large masses of good varieties; 
M. chimera, M. polysticta, and M. tovarensis contribute largely 
to the display. The latter is remarkably well grown, and proves 
to be a most serviceable and useful plant. There was a good 
large batch of it in flower, the majority of the plants in 48-size 
pots. The greater part of the scapes were double-flowered, some 
single, whilst three flowers on a scape were frequently to be seen, 
and one scape had four flowers. One of the largest plants had 
sixty expanded flowers. Although the genus Masdevallia is a 
rather large one, and many of the species are showy, useful, and 
well adapted for exhibition, yet I consider M. tovarensis the best 
and most useful. 
Calanthes are well represented in this collection, and C. Veitchii 
especially so, having made bulbs and flower spikes of great size. 
One variety was particularly fine, being several shades darker 
than the others, and which Mr. Jacques intends propagating as 
much as possible. This is a striking illustration of how seedling 
Orchids vary in colour. 
Disa grandiflora puzzles many good cultivators. It appears to 
be rather an eccentric Orchid, only does well in some establish¬ 
ments, and then only in certain positions. For instance, if a 
batch of D. grandiflora is doing well in a certain position, then 
by all means let them remain, for if they are removed to another 
house, or even to another position in the same house, the chances 
are against their well-doing. Several soils or composts have been 
recommended for Disas, but they succeed best in a compost of 
peat, sand, and sphagnum. At Malvern Disas are perfectly at 
home. The position they occupy is on a shelf at the end of a 
