Manual y 8, 1891 ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
25 
adviscjble to enrich the ground for raising seedlings by means of 
TavF and strong manure, but it is of importance to point in some 
light flaky semi-decayed manure, keeping it within 6 inches of the 
smtface. A thick dressing of soot judiciously applied during 
genial weather in Ap;il or early May will have a good effect. 
The ground for the quarter cf Leeks has a G inch layer of manure 
dug in some time in spring, or at any time 
when the work can be conveniently done. 
The best Leeks I ever had were placed out 
'in ground which was dry, and manured just 
previous to transplanting, but generally 
other work is so pressing at this time (June) 
dhat if not manured earlier in the season 
the crop might have a less liberal dressing 
than is essential to its wants. We choose 
a dull or drizzling afternoon to transfer the 
•seedlings to the prepared ground. Deep 
drills are drawn, in the bottom of which 
holes are made with a common dibber. The 
(plants are set in, watered, and so far that 
part of the work is finished. By-and-by as 
■the plants make way the ridges are lowered 
to the general level, and if a deeper blanch 
us wanted the soil is drawn up to the plants 
•on each side. The crop is in use from 
■September to April. Where cow manure 
’is scarce a liberal dressing of superphos¬ 
phate of lime dug in just before planting 
'will work wonders in the way of size. It 
may be added that by lifting what remain 
during February, and laying them in on a 
•north border the Leeks keep in gcod 
•condition much later.—X. B. 
genera. This is the case with the Orchid which was shown by Messrs. 
F. Sander & Co. at the Royal Horticultnral Society’s meeting on June 
24th last year, under the name of Sarcopodium Godseffianum, when a 
first-class certificate was unanimously awarded for the plant by the 
Orchid Committee. It is related to S. Lobbi, also known as Bulbo- 
FIG. 5.—SARCOPODIUM GODSEFFIANUM. 
phyllum Lobbi, and has unusually large flowers for the group to which 
it belongs. It is said to be a native of the Philippines, and somewhat 
resembles S. Deari, which comes from Borneo. The pseudo-bulbs are 
small and conical, the plant altogether being of diminutive growth. 
The dorsal sepal is about an inch broad, oval, or tapering ; yellow, 
of a semi-transparent texture, and reticulated with a darker reddish 
orange colour. The two lower sepals are curved forwards and stained 
with deep crimson. The petals are pale yellow, narrow, tapering, 
spreading, or slightly deflexed, and the lip is ivory white, dotted with 
purplish pink. The plant bears the name of one of the most ex¬ 
perienced and successful Orchid cultivators in Great Britain, Mg 
J oseph Godseff. 
MASDEVALLIAS AND DISAS. 
[A. paper by Mr. E. Burberry, Orchis Grovrer to the Right Uon. J. Cham^ erla'n M P. 
Highoury, Birmingham. Read at a Meeting of the Birmingham Gardeners’ Association.] 
(^Continued from page 4.) 
The ChimEera section are best grown in shallow baskets suspended 
from the roof, no crocks being used for these, so that the flower spikes 
may have a free passage, coming as they do through the bottom and 
sides of the basket, while the smaller members of this remarkable 
genus are best grown suspended in small pans. 
Important as the material and potting may be, the atmosphere is the 
most important subject in regard to the cultivation of Orchids, for it is 
this upon which they live. I am far from being an advocate of 
excessive heat, especially fire heat, but I do like to have enough. We 
have heard much about the cold treatment, and depend upon it many a 
good plant has been lost through being too cold, and others it has left in 
an unsightly and maimed condition. We are told by some that the 
Masdevallia house may fall as low as 35'’ in the winter without any 
injury taking place. I quite believe that it may sometimes go as low, 
and even lower than that in their native habitat, but for how long ? A 
few minutes only before sunrise. The diflerence between that and our 
own long winter nights should be apparent to everyone. I grant that 
in some instances the plants may exist under this cold treatment, 
but I maintain that they will not grow, and we need not feel surprised 
if the tips of the leaves die and the under surface turns black. These 
are signs of being too cold, and consequently too wet. Under our 
artificial treatment we cannot imitate the natural surroundings of these 
plants. It is impossible. Yet a good knowledge of the condituni 
under which they grow is invaluable, that can be taken as a general 
SARCOPODIUM GODSEFFIANUM. 
The Sarcopodiums and the Bulbophyllums include some of the floral 
curiosities of the Orchid world, and many of the species are so nearly 
related that they are variously assigned by different writers to both 
CALLIANDRA TWEEDIEI. 
This beautiful stove shrub is seldom met 
with in gardens, partly because it is so little 
'known and not readily obtainable. It is a 
•native of Brazil, where it is said to attain a 
length of 8 to 10 feet. Confined to p ts under glass it rarely exceeds 5 feet. 
Few plants are more sensitive to the careless application of water, 
•especially during cold sunless weather like the present, than this 
'Calliandra. Being evergreen, with small somewhat tender leaves, it 
also does not bear drought. I have known it to lose nearly the whole 
of its leaves and flowers through having too much moisture at the roots; 
care should therefore be observed in watering until the flowering season 
is over, which is not usually the case until March or April, though some 
olants may flower more or less from November onwards. When the 
•flowers are past remove the remaining peduncles and dead leaves, and 
clean the plants thoroughly, using clean water or mild insecticide for 
'the latter purpose. Any potting that may be required must be attended 
"to before new growth commences, which is usually produced sparingly. 
The usual compost for Gardenias suits them well. Young plants make 
a good display when cuttings are rooted sufficiently early, though two- 
year-old plants are much the best. 
We have obtained good results from plants raised from cuttings 
^•ooted in the usual way early in January, potting them as soon as 
rooted and growing them in moist heat, pinching twice or three times, 
^iccording to the state of the growth, until dull weather and short days 
necessitate a reduction of atmospheric moisture. Through December 
and the two following months give only enough water to keep the soil 
moderately moist, and do not syringe them, the moisture of the house 
'being ample for their requirements until they begin to expand their 
globose heads of gaudy, filamentous flowers. The plants may then be 
■safely removed to an intermediate house until flowering is over. 
"VVhere young plants are required, it is desirable to cut back one or 
more plants at the end of August, which will furnish ample stock for 
propagating, cuttings being difficult to obtain from flowering plants. 
•Calliandra Tweediei is a very desirable addition to the inmates of a warm 
conservatory, but is of little use for cutting or room decoration.— 
R. Williams, Great Marlow. 
