561 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 23, 1886. 
cirrhi or “ feelers ” at the sides, which in some Catasetums appear to 
have a epec : al office in assisting the discharge of the pollinia, but whether 
in this case they have a similar effect has not been tested. In all points 
the plant may be regarded as a fine addition to the list of remarkable culti¬ 
vated Orchids. The flowers are durable, those on the Ghent specimen 
having been open twelve days when shown. The plant is also apparently 
easily grown and free-flowering, and it may be expected to find a place in 
many collections. 
Catasetums have been regarded as somewhat uncertain plants ever 
since their strange dimorphic or trimorphic characters were demonstrated. 
It will be remembered that Lindley formed the genera Myanthus and 
Monachanthus on what appeared to be reliable characters, but a plant was 
subsequently found bearing flowers of both these genera and of Catasetum 
as well. This led to the abolition of Myanthus and Monachanthus as 
genera, both being sunk in Catasetum. The same peculiar phenomenon 
of heteromorphism may be observed in species of Cycnoehes and Renan- 
thera. All the Catasetums are interesting structurally, but C. Bungerothi 
is far the best we have yet seen from a cultivator’s point of view. 
It may be added that Mr. Tautz grows his plant in a basket suspended 
in a stove with Pnaltenopsis and similar heat-loving Orchids. 
HABENARIA MILITARIS. 
Amongst many beautiful Orchids at the sale previously mentioned a 
plant in flower of Habenaria militaris was shown, a brightly coloured and 
distinct terrestrial species. The lip is long, flattened, and four-lohed, 
something like the Calant.hes, and of a bright rosy scarlet tint, rather 
suggestive of Impatiens Sultani, but with more of a scarlet hue. The 
sepals and petals are greenish and inconspicuous, the lip being furnished 
with a curved spur 1$ inch long. The flowers are borne in a close 
terminal raceme, the leaves being green tessellated with white or a lighter 
shade of green. This Orchid could, no doubt, be grown in a cool house, 
with somewhat similar treatment to that accorded Disi grandifl ora, and 
if it could be induced to thrive and flower freely the colour would render 
it a welcome addition to such houses. 
ODONTOGLOSSUM ALEXANDRAS STEYENSI. 
In 1881 an excellent coloured plate of this beautiful Odontoglossum 
was published in Williams’ Orchid Album (plate 127), which was prepared 
from a plant flowering in the Duke of Sutherland’s collection at Trentham, 
then under the charge of the late Mr. Z. Stevens. When this specimen 
was offered for sale last week it caused some little excitement amongst 
the leading orchidists who assembled in goodly numbers to bid for the 
prize, and after considerable competition it was sold for eighty guineas. 
The plant is a very healthy one, and had a panicle of thirty seven fine 
flowers, white heavily spotted with cinnamon hrown exactly like the 
Orchid Album plate, the petals broad, and the whole appearance very 
striking. It afforded a good example of the substantial prices the best 
varieties of Orchids invariably command.—L. Castle, 
HOLLIES. 
Foe the past fourteen years I have taken a special interest in the 
Holly, believing it is worthy of more attention than it generally receives, 
with the result that at the present time we have fully 100 fine snec ; men 
trees, pyramidal in form, varying in height from 10 to 22 feet, and from 
6 to 10 feet in diameter at the base. The plants of Silver Queen and 
Hodginsi Hollies are especially fine. The attention I give them is as 
follows :—I annually prune the strongest shoots of the previous year’s 
growth except the leader, with the result the trees are better able to 
withstand strong winds and heavy falls of snow. I find April the best 
month for pruning, as the young growth immediately following soon 
hides any appearances of pruning. Attention to moving them where re¬ 
quired is of great importance, as overcrowding soon spoils them. 
The following is our simple mode of procedure :—First, we dig a hole 
to work in at a safe distance from the centre to avoid injuring the roots 
and at opposite sides of the tree, then tunnel under the tree sufficiently 
to allow a board to be passed through. The board used is 2 feet 6 inches 
in length by 10 inches in width, with iron frame, which forms at the end 
two strong horizontal handles, through which four strong cords are 
passed for lifting purposes. Having carefully worked round the tree 
until it rests on the board we can then remove it to the position required. 
After transplanting during dry weather the tree is watered, and a mulch¬ 
ing of short grass is beneficial in preventing a too rapid evaporation.— 
William Kipps, Walton Lea Gardens, Warrington. 
MUSCAT GRAPES SHRIVELLING. 
I, like various other correspondents, have been troubled with Muscats 
shrivelling for the first time this season. The vinery is a lean-to and is 
lull south, the border is inside at present. The Vines have been planted 
two years. Muscat of Alexandria and Gros Maroe alternately, the latter 
variety being planted with the i lea of using the pollen for setting the 
Muscats. The canes were started in February, they broke very strongly, 
and each Vine was allowed to carry from two to four bunches. Both 
varieties came in bloom at the same time, and they both set well. They 
appeared to do very well till they were ripening, about the first week in 
September, when the Muscats showed signs of shrivelling. The border 
was examined and found to be rather dry. A good watering was given at 
once in the expectat on of the evil ceasing ; but it made no difference, 
the berries still continue 1 to shrink steadily. I am thus led to believe it 
was caused by atmospheric conditions, as we were keeping’ up a pretty 
good fire heat, with plenty of air on favourable occasions, to assist the 
ripening of the wood, which was rather unripe, and I think the fire heat 
dried up the necessary amount of moisture for the sustenance of the fruit. 
This experience g >e3 to disprove the statement of Mr. R. Kirby, page 527, 
regarding old Vines, for these are cropped for the first time, and still they 
have shrivelled.— James B. Riding, Poles, Ware, Herts. 
POPULAR APPLE?. 
All interested in Apple culture know that there are numbers of 
varieties, good, bad, and indifferent, to select from, but I doubt if many 
readers are aware that there are 720 sorts recognised as being distinct, 
and another 430 synonymous, to further confuse the inexperienced. It is 
an impossibility for any private grower to give all thete, or even a tithe 
of them, a fair trial, and those who venture to offer selections must, to a 
great extent, rely upon personal observation and information gleaned else¬ 
where than in his own immediate vicinity. I attach more importance to 
the educational value of fruit shows, or fruit classes in connection with 
horticultural exhibitions, than gome are disposed to do. It is there that 
the finer sorts are to be seen at their be^t, and the exhibitors are always 
ready to impart any information concerning them. It may be urged that 
only the most showy varieties are exhibited, and, to a certain extent, this 
may be true; but if Apples both showy and fairly good in quality can 
be found, these are the sorts to cultivate, especially if known to be 
prolific. Dessert fruit cannot well be too attractive, “appearance being 
everything” in the case of fruit to be sold, while even in the case of 
kitchen Apples their value for marketing purposes is considerably 
enhanced when they are highly coloured. The most valuable varieties 
are those that are available for either dessert or culinary purposes, and 
those especially who propose to regraft a number of old trees, or to plant 
a new orchard, should bear this fact in mini. This season I have had 
goodopportunities of closely examining a great number of Apples, both 
on the trees and the dishes at exhibitions, in the counties of Wilts, 
Somerset, Gloucester, Djrset, and Devonshire, and what is found to be 
profitable and good in these districts may also be recommended for other, 
less favoured it may be, localities. 
Dessert Apples .—What I believe to he the best, given somewhat in their 
order of ripening, are as follows :—Joanettng, very early and fairly prolific, 
but must be eaten at once. Irish Peach, the best early, handsome and 
good in quality, succeeds either as a bush or a standard tree, and rarely 
fails to bear well. Devonshire Quarrenden, a vigorous and prolific 
variety, the fruit are crisp and good, and keep well. Benoni, little 
known, but deserves to be more generally cultivated, no variety surpass¬ 
ing it either in appearance or quality during the latter part of August 
and September. At Sherborne Castle it eucceeds admirably cordon- 
trained, and Mr. Pragnell has formed a high op nion of its merits. Red 
Astrachan, one of the showiest early varieties, of go d habit, very prolific, 
and of fairly good quality if gathere i and eaten at on '.e. Beauty of 
Bath ripens in August, of good habit either as a dwarf or standard, 
bears abundantly, and the fruit are very handsome and of fairly good 
quality. Summer Golden Pippin, suitable for dwarf trees, bears well, 
fruit small, attractive, and very good in quality. Kerry Pippin, another 
small-fruited sort of dwaif habit ; a great bearer, of excellent quality, 
and available during September and October, one of the best. Wormsley 
Pippin, dessert and culinary, good for orchards, a good bearer, and fit for 
use during September and October. American Mother, a showy October 
variety, and a favourite with mist growers that have it true. Graven- 
stein, a capital variety, and should be in every collection. Have seen it 
good cordon, bush, and standard trained, It rarely fails to bear well, is 
of “ takiug ” appearance, of excellent quality, and available during 
October and November. King of Pippins is very welt known, and this 
excellent variety is particularly good this season. Scarlet Pearmain, 
good variety for small gardens, and with us rarely fails to bear well. It 
is handsome, good in quality, and in season f om October to January. 
Cox’s Orange Pippin is one of the most popular sorts in cultivation ; it 
is very suitable for bush or pyramidal training, a sure bearer, and with 
us is at its best from October to January. Court of Wick, small fruited, 
moderately strong grower, bears well, and is good from October to the 
end of February ; a thoroughly good variety. Mannington’s P. armain : 
Have seen this doing welt both bush and cordon traiaed, and is a favourite 
with all who have it, a sure bearer, fruit small and pretty, is good during 
November, and keeps till March. 
Ribston Pippin, an old favourite, unfortunately much liable to canker, 
to be seen at its best at all West of England autumn shows, notably 
Exeter, Bath, and Bristol. In this neighbourhood they have a spurious 
form of it, this being a better grower, but inferior in both appearance and 
quality. With us it is at its best during November and December. 
Margil much resembles the Ribston Pippin, and hereabouts is quite as 
much affected by canker, but does b, tter on lighter soils. It forms a 
good bush or small standard where sheltered, is a sure cropper, and keeps 
rather better than the Ribston. Ross Nonpareil is a favourite of mine, 
and I should like to see it more generally grown. It is a fairly strong 
grower, is suitable for either orchard or garden culture, and the fruit are 
very pretty and good during November, December, and January. Keddle- 
stone Pippin is not often met with, but in one or two instances it is 
highly spoken of. It is a moderately strong grower, bears freely, and is 
good during November and till March. Braddick’s Nonpareil is very 
popular in the neighbourhood of Exeter, and our trees rarely fail to pro¬ 
duce fairly good crops. It is only fit for gardeu culture, and is available 
during December and to the end of March. Golden Pippin may be cor- 
