Jane 14,1883. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 499 
lateral as in ordinary Cypripedia, and one beneath the stigma, 
which appeared to be specially concerned in the fertilisation. In 
the Cypripediuin the third anther or stamen is converted into an 
expanded plate, termed the staminode, which varies in form— 
square, crescent shape, and triangular, and furnishes valuable 
characters for the determination of the species. The geographical 
distribution of the Cypripediums was discussed fully, and it was 
stated that much value should be attached to the particulars fur¬ 
nished by collectors concerning the habitat of plants as a guide to 
cultivators. The hardy terrestrial species were particularly referred 
to, the fact of the majority growing in swampy peat or moss being, 
the lecturer considered, often disregarded in cultivation ; though 
there are also some of this group which are found on limestone and 
other formations—peculiarities that should be imitated as nearly as 
possible to ensure success. In regard to these “ natural conditions ” 
of growth, as they are termed, Sir Trevor Lawrence remarked that it 
was a fact patent to all cultivators that they often failed to prove 
successful under the artificial conditions of gardens, even when 
imitated as nearly as possible ; and he gave several instances from 
his own experience, in which he had only induced plants to flower in 
much higher temperature and with considerably more moisture than 
they had in their native habitats. 
Mr. G. Maw then read a long paper upon the geographical distri¬ 
bution of Crocuses, in which lie minutely described the several dis¬ 
tricts in which the species were most abundant. He divided southern 
Europe into several districts to which some species were peculiar, the 
head-quarters being Asia Minor, Southern Russia, and the neighbour¬ 
hood of the Black Sea. He remarked that although about seventy 
species were known, the majority of the forms most popular in 
gardens are derived from C. vernus and C. aureus, especially the 
former, both of which flowered in the spring months. A succession 
of flowers from autumn till spring could be maintained, but winter¬ 
flowering species require some protection or they were very likely to 
be injured by frost, snow, or rain. 
The meeting was then adjourned by the Chairman, who was 
accorded a hearty vote of thanks. 
THE MONIFIETII NURSERIES, DUNDEE. 
Those who think that they have seen the more important towns of 
Scotland after “doing” Edinburgh, Glasgow, and perhaps Perth, 
Aberdeen, or even Inverness, have really left out perhaps the busiest 
and best situated, if not the biggest of them all. “ Juteopolis,” as 
Dundee is termed in commercial circles, does an enormous trade in 
jute goods, as well as in those of linen, and not least,from a gardener’s 
view-point, in marmalade. As jute, flax, and Bitter Oranges are 
foreign productions, and as Dundee is by no means especially favoured 
in the matter of situation, it will be readily granted that she possesses 
a full share of enterprise when it is said that Dundee is the chief seat 
of these as well as of other industries—whale fishing for one—in the 
world. 
Interesting as such facts are for the general public, it cannot be 
expected that a gardening paper can afford room for particulars on 
such. We, therefore, merely touch on these points as a prelude to 
what we have to say about Dundee horticulturally. As in other ways 
Dundee shows in this, too, a vigour all her own, or rivalled by Man¬ 
chester alone. Nowhere in Scotland are horticultural exhibitions so 
well patronised by peer and peasant, by merchant-prince and mechanic, 
as in Dundee, and the result is a financial elasticity that is the envy of 
secretaries and committees of other horticultural societies situated in 
towns more pretentious, but not so forward in what is rightly regarded 
as indicative of advancing civilisation. 
Round Dundee are thickly planted gardens that are worth being 
proud of, for the wealthy classes are liberal patrons of horticulture. 
And, as is only natural, round Dundee are to be found many nurseries 
showing that healthy life characterising nurseries in general situated 
in advancing commercial localities. At present it will not be possible 
for us to name more than one of these, but that one is perhaps the 
best specimen, and therefore worth mentioning first. The one 
referred to is that belonging to the long-established firm of Messrs. 
W. P. Laird <k Sinclair, and is at 
MONIFIETH, 
which is situated near the estuary of the Tay, and is a station of the 
Dundee and Arbroath Joint Railway. The nurseries are about half a 
mile from the station, and lie at the east end of the pleasant little 
village. Monifieth is distant from Dundee five and a half miles. The 
entrance to the grounds is off the public road by a long straight 
approach, lined on each side with young specimens of Conifers in 
great variety, and plants at regular intervals of Arundo conspicua, which 
is similar in habit to the Pampas Grass, but it has the advantage of 
flowering earlier, and the plumes are, therefore, less liable to injury 
from early autumn frosts. At the back of the Conifers are several 
rows extending the whole length of the approach, of ornamental 
deciduous trees, which have a grand effect, and are well worth the 
attention of those furnishing with a view to pictorial effect. 
At the end of the approach is a short flight of steps, over which is 
an archway covered with climbing Roses. This leads to the green¬ 
house and vineries. Of the latter there are four, each CO feet long. 
In front of these is a sloping bank devoted to the growing of young 
ornate shrubs chiefly; and at the west division of this slope, in front 
of the dwelling place of Mr. Sinclair, the resident partner, the ground 
to the extent of a little over a quarter of an acre is laid out in a 
manner at once ornamental, useful, and unique. It consists of a 
lawn on which have been cut a number of irregular figures, con¬ 
taining specimens of over 250 varieties of Conifers, Japanese plants, 
and other ornamental shrubs, all definitely labelled with botanical 
name and native country. Each specimen is allowed sufficient space 
to develope its character. The design and effect is good, and it has a 
peculiar fitness in being close to a nurseryman’s residence. It serves 
as a convenient trial ground for new introductions, and anyone 
interested in such a collection can easily inspect the plants and 
choose such as best suits their wants at any season. 
After the havoc wrought by frost in recent winters I was agree¬ 
ably surprised to see so far north a handsome pair of Sweet Bays 
(Laurus nobilis) upwards of 15 feet high, Laurustinus 5 feet high and 
about as much through, with traces still of an abundant inflorescence. 
Here, too, in full bloom, is the Himalayan Rhododendron Thomsoni. 
The colour is rich crimson, and the individual bloom comparable to 
Lapageria rosea ; also Arthrotaxus selaginoides, a fine plant 5 feet 
high, and Azalea amcena have survived with very little injury the 
arctic winters lately experienced. Desfontainia spinosa and Fabiana 
imbricata on the wall, I was told, suffered more this season than 
they did during the severe winters of 1880 and 1881. 
The well-stocked borders of herbaceous plants of many hundred 
varieties especially attracted attention. As elsewhere, the plants are 
all carefully and legibly labelled, so the visitors, whether chaperoned 
or not, may freely note what most pleases their taste. Of those in 
flower on the occasion of my visit in the first week in May the 
following may be noticed :— 
Primulas denticulata, viscosa and viscosa alba, ciliata, and ciliata 
purpurea—the latter one of the finest of all Primulas, being of a rich 
purple colour and the flower finely formed—scotica, marginata, rosea, 
McNabiana, platypetala (Arthur Damolin), and P. acaulis Purity; 
Sanguisorba canadensis ; Anemone Robinsoniana, A. Pulsatilla, A. 
vernalis (much resembling the preceding, but with the interior of 
the corolla whitish), A. nemorosa, fl.-pl. A bed of this 6 feet square 
was very attractive. Its neat habit and snowy whiteness of its 
flowers should secure it a place wherever spring flowers are loved. 
Ranunculus amplexicaulis, Doronicum caucasicum, Fritillaria mele- 
agris, Orobus vernus and v. albus, 0. venosa, Trillium grandiflorum, 
Dodecatheon integrifolia, Arabis blepharophylla superba, Corydalis 
nobilis, Aubrietia Hendersonii, Draba aizoides, gigas, and ciliaris, 
Rhododendron Chamsecistus, and in bright patches lighting up the 
whole, Valeriana Phu aurea. 
Christmas Roses are here grown in quantity, especially H. niger, 
H. niger majus, and H. purpurascens, as well as a collection of the 
more recent hybrids. Of the last we were shown a dried bloom of 
H. Commerzenrath Benary, which will yet be grown in every garden. 
To nothing can we so truly compare it as to a very large especially 
fine variety of Odontoglossum Rossi majus. In the nursery borders 
we observed extensive collections of fine named varieties of summer¬ 
flowering Chrysanthemums, Delphiniums, Phloxes, Pentstemons, 
Pyrethrums, Potentillas, double and single Pinks and Carnations, 
all of which must be a source of attraction as each of them in their 
respective seasons come into bloom. Among the Narcissi now 
attracting so much attention are many very fine varieties. Horsfieldii, 
Emperor, Empress, rugilobus, moschatus, obvallaris, maximus, 
poeticus, Bulbocodium, the true minimus, are well represented, as 
well as some of others newer still, which have been raised by Leeds 
and Nelson. 
The whole nursery is divided into parallelograms, which give an 
orderly appearance and facilitate the working operations. It is well 
stocked with the general requirements of a nursery trade. Five to 
ten acres are devoted to evergreen and deciduous shrubs and Conifers, 
about an equal extent to the cultivation of ornamental trees, fruit 
trees, bushes, (fee. A considerable extent is devoted to the forest 
tree trade, both in the seedling and transplanted stages, the firm 
being extensively engaged in supplying tlie large annual demand 
from the south for seedling Larch, Scotch Fir, Norway Spruce, (fee., a 
department in which Scotch nurserymen are well known to excel. 
Apart from the climate being more favourable for the raising of 
seedling forest trees, it is generally allowed that there is a decided 
advantage in the transfer of them from a northern to a southern 
latitude. In this department Mr. Sinclair finds a certain rotation, 
which he named, of unusual benefit; and certainly it would be diffi¬ 
cult, if not impossible, to surpass the sturdy vigour of the forest 
seedlings. 
Messrs. Laird (fe Sinclair seem to have confidence in the future of 
the nursery trade, for six months ago they leased a piece of new 
ground as an extension of their present nurseries at Monifieth, several 
acres of which they have already filled with transplanted stock of 
the more useful Pines, Firs, and hardwood trees. The more orna¬ 
mental department also shares their attention, for the firm possesses 
a considerable range of glass both at their Monifieth and also at their 
branch nursery at Broughty Ferry, where greenhouse and stove 
plants as W'ell as bedding stuff are largely grown to supply the ; 
market in Dundee and its suburbs. The offices are all arranged for 
the proper packing and speedy dispatch of all goods. At Nethergate, 
Dundee, one of the principal thoroughfares, is carried out a large 
business in seeds, bulbs, implements, (fee. Here the premises are 
large, commodious, and altogether well fitted for the purpose to 
which they are devoted. 
