April 23, 1891. 1 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
321 
On the evening of the meeting in quesiion Orchids also 
formed a special subject for discussion at the Horticul¬ 
tural Club, and a few remarks upon doubtful points in the 
culture of cool house Orchids led up to an interesting 
discussion, in which several members joined. Some 
gentlemen complained of the difficulties attending Orchid 
culture, and after trying plants successively in stove and 
greenhouse had discarded them as beyond their ken—a 
not very surprising result. Somewhat similar treatment 
in the early period of the plant’s history in this country, 
even sixty years ago, led to the formation of very erro¬ 
neous ideas respecting the difficulties attending the culture 
of Orchids, and some then went to the length of asserting 
it was impossible to succeed with them under artificial 
conditions. Such notions have long been exploded. It is 
now admitted by the most successful that the majoi-ity of 
Orchids are very easily grown, and the time, skill, and ex¬ 
pense they require are certainly not so great as were needed 
by the hard wooded plants at one time so generally grown. 
years ago it was thought impossible that they could look better. 
What strikes a stranger more than anything is the uniform 
vigorous health of the plants, and the care that has been exercised 
in the selection of the best varieties has created a very high 
standard. Our continental friends were more than astonished, and 
considered their journey to England well repaid by this visit alone 
Returning to the exhibits before the Orchid Committee, a new 
hybrid Dendrobium, appropriately named Venus (fig. 59), is 
accorded special notice this week because it was not only an interest¬ 
ing result from a well-considered ci'oss, but it is likely to become 
one of the most useful of the free growing and free-flowering 
Dendrobiums. It was obtained by Mr. Norman C. Cookson of 
Wylam-on-Tyne from a cross between D. nobile and D. Falconeri, 
and presents a remarkable combination of characters derived from 
these species, both in flower and growth. The flowers are like a 
large D. nobile, but with somewhat of less of the solidity of that 
parent, and more of the graceful pose of D. Falconeri. They are 
inches in diameter, the lip being If inch long and broad. 
The sepals and petals are broad, white tipped with crimson ; the 
lip having a deep bold maroon central blotch, a broad white band, 
and a crimson tip. The pseudo-bulbs are more slender than 
ThelRev. H. D’Ombrain remarked that the best green¬ 
house Orchid with which he was acquainted was Disa 
grandiflora, which he had cultivated successfully in a 
structure devoted to mixed plants for twenty-eight years. 
He also commented upon the beauty of this brilliant 
•Orchid in terms of well merited praise, stating that he 
had never found any special difficulties in its culture. 
It was, however, observed that one large nurseryman had 
been trying to grow Disas for ten years and invariably 
failed, so that it was found necessary to have the stock grown 
■elsewhere. Another nurseryman had, however, found it quite as 
easy to increase and keep in good condition as Mr. D’Ombrain, 
and had raised a large stock from seed. 
FIG. 50.—DEXDROBIUM VENUS (HYBRID) 
D. nobile, and partake of the character of D. Falconeri, but are 
more erect and stronger. It is unquestionably one of Mr. Coo-k 
son’s greatest successes, and with other hybrids from the same 
place passed into the hands of Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans. 
regulated just as easily as by having the flows in the middle. The front 
of the vinery would have had the advantage of one pipe to warm the 
air coming in that part more than it would from the return, and the 
heat would ascend to the highest point of the vinery—no fear about its 
doiiig that. In his ease the body of heat simply had to ascend in a 
straight line, not in such a useful manner as though it were equalised 
over the house. I have always been taught that it was necessary to 
provide against currents of air which come through the front ventilators. 
This, I was also taught, was the most easily done by fixing one flow pipe 
there to counteract the current by warming the air as it entered.— 
Heating Reformer. 
Jottings. 
Orchids were grandly represented at the R.H.S. meeting last 
Nveek, and afforded ample proof, if such were needed, that these 
plants are still first favourites in numbers of important 
gardens. Beyond that, too, their condition, beauty, and 
interest supplied abundant substantial reason for their 
long continued popularity, as the ornamental value of well 
grown specimen Orchids is unsurpassable. Brilliant and 
distinct shades of colour, singular forms, and profusion of 
flowers, are the qualities which place Orchids in so pro¬ 
minent a position wherever they are seen with other plants. 
Some reflections upon the Glasnevin variety of Disa grandiflora 
•brought out Mr. F. W. Moore, who in the course of a vigorous 
speech, summed up in an admirable manner, the chief require¬ 
ments of cool house and other Orchids—namely, close attention 
and the due exercise of common sense. He was opposed to any 
stringent rules as to temperatures, but stated that his experience 
coincided with that of the individual who opened the discussion 
in regard to the fact that many so-called “ cool house Orchids ” 
were grown too cold, an opinion in which several others joined 
before the discussion closed. 
A party of seven Orchid lovers representing five nationalities 
assembled at Waterloo on Thursday last for a journey to Baron 
Schroder’s garden at Egham, and a long chapter would be required 
to describe all that was seen and admired that afternoon. At 
present only the simple fact can be recorded that the grand collection 
of Orchids and other plants at The Dell seems to improve in con¬ 
dition and beauty every season, though w'hen inspected a few 
What are frequently termed yellow varieties of Odontoglossum 
Pescatorei, but which some regard as forms of 0. excellens, are 
apfiarently becoming more numerous. Last week one from Egham 
named dellense received a certificate, and this week another 
named Prince of Orange from Buiford Lodge rece.ved a similar 
award. In the rich golden yellow of the ground colour the last- 
named has never been surpassed ; it is indeed most effective and 
well deserved the honour accorded. It is a pity, however, that the 
nomenclature is becoming more confused than ever, for at one 
meeting we have a variety oi’ hybrid with a botanical name, and 
at the next one under a popular designation, and all alike seem to 
receive official recognition.—L. Castle. 
Dendroriums. 
TA paper read at a recent meeting of the Liverpool Horticultural Assomation b 
Mr. JNO. Glover, gardener to Sir Andrew Barclay “Walker, Bart., Uatcacre Grange.] 
{Continued from page 261.') 
Most of the Dendrobiums delight in a very moist atmosphere 
with a high temperature when growing. During the months of 
