May 7, 189L J 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
861 
as the difference of seasons, extra wet or dry. The seed is sown in 
boxes in a cold frame, and the seedlings pricked out in a temporary 
frame when large enough. The trenches are made to admit 
double rows. Planting is done directly the seedlings are large 
•enough, not waiting till they receive a check in the operation. At 
all times plenty of water is given, especially when in the first 
■stages. The final earthing is carefully performed, well sloping the 
sides to carry off heavy rains.—E. M. 
J OTTINGS. 
The charming Odontoglossum crispum, which in so many gardens 
still bears the name of our popular Princess, has yielded more 
distinct variations than any other type in the genus ; in fact, it has 
been correctly observed that scarcely two imported plants are abso¬ 
lutely identical in their characters. Neces¬ 
sarily in numbei’s of these the differences 
are very slight—a spot or two more or less, 
a shade of colour deeper or lighter, and 
it is recognisable as a variation, but not 
sufficiently marked to merit a special name. 
But amongst the thousands of plants im¬ 
ported, to this country from their South 
American alpine homes, forms have occa¬ 
sionally, at wide intervals, appeared which 
possessed so many distinctive characters that 
they have even been assigned specific rank. 
They are, however, extremely rare, and are 
proportionately valued by connoisseurs when 
they are found, not merely because they 
are scarce, but because they are exception¬ 
ally beautiful in themselves. 
There is an exquisite charm in a finely 
proportioned and richly marked Odonto- 
^lossum flower that is not surpassed even 
by the most superb Cattleya or Lselia, and 
it is not surprising that admirers of Nature’s 
■choicest handiwork find ample satisfaction 
in these delightful Orchids. I would venture 
an opinion that Baron Schroder derives 
almost as much pleasure from his unique 
collection of rare and beautiful Odonto¬ 
glossum varieties or natural hybrids as he 
-does from all the rest of his wonderful 
specimen Orchids. One of these forms 
with a long gracefully arching raceme of 
'boldly marked flowers is an artistic study 
that the finest picture from the hands of 
the greatest master cannot equal. This is 
the opinion of an enthusiast, it may be said, 
but I know it is shared by other and better 
judges than myself who have ever found 
more to admire in Nature’s floral masterpieces of all kinds than in 
the best of her human imitators. 
But returning to Odontoglossum crispum and its well-marked 
ypes, a question was asked me a day or two ago that requires 
a few words in reply. The inquiry was, “ Where are such 
Odontoglots as 0. crispum chiefly found—on trees or rocks, or the 
ground level ? I have been told by a traveller that they are seen 
in some places growing together by thousands, forming, in fact, 
extensive fields.” This traveller must have been indulging in the 
supposed privilege of those who wander in foreign lands -in other 
words, he was romancing. Perhaps “ the wish was father to 
thought,” for it would gladden the eyes of any traveller to collect 
Odontoglossums by the acre, as they might Buttercups and Daisies 
in this country. The operation is indeed a very different one, 
■involving an amount of labour that few have any idea about. An 
•experienced collector states that in his opinion for every half dozen 
plants of Odontoglossum crispum imported into this country a 
tree has been felled ; and incredible as this may appear, the state¬ 
ment has been confirmed by other equally reliable authorities. A 
moment’s consideration will show what this means, for in recent 
years thousands of plants have been brought into England and | 
forests have perished to yield the floral gems so much prized here. I 
Beyond this, too, the exceptional types already referred to 
constitute possibly one in five or ten thousand of those so 
introduced, and we thus gain some idea of what is involved in the 
importation of Odontoglossums. 
Most of the leading firms in England and on the Continent 
have shared in the work of introducing choice varieties, and the 
forms so obtained have worthily received commemorative, honorary, 
or expressive titles. I now have the pleasure of adding another to 
the list—/.e., Odontoglossum crispum var. Amesiannm, named in 
honour of F. L. Ames, Esq., Longwater, Boston, Massuchusetts, 
who is one of the most successful Orchid amateurs in the United 
States. This is a peculiarly handsome variety, and deserves a place 
amongst the best of those hitherto obtained. The contour of the 
flower, the colour of the blotches, and their distinctive shape, 
together with the vigorous habit of the plant, render it in some 
respects unique. One flower from a raceme of nine is represented 
in the woodcut (fig GG), but a few words of description are needed. 
Measured from tip to tip of the petals the flower was 4.f inches in 
diameter, the sepals rather over 1 inch across, and 2 inches long, 
broadly lanceolate, flushed with bright rosy crimson, and having in 
the centre two or three large irregular rich reddish chocolate 
blotches, and a few smaller ones near the margins of the two lower 
. 66.—ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM VAR. AMESIANUM. 
sepals. The petals are over inch across, broadly rliomboidal, 
beautifully and evenly undulated at the margin, white with rich 
reddish chocolate spots confluent into a central clearly defined 
blotch, ■wdiich is brought into bold relief by the wide pure white 
margin. The lip is almost triangular or hastate, with a yellow base 
and crest, a pure white margin, a solid central brown blotch, and 
a few smaller ones at the side. The whole flower is of great 
substance, and the crystalline texture of the petals is quite excep¬ 
tional. This variety is flowering in Messrs. Sander & Co.’s nursery 
at St. Albans. 
Increasing attention is being paid to Orchids in Holland, and 
this is probably the first year when two exhibitions have been 
specially devoted to those plants in the lind of canals. A week or 
two ago a Show was held at Utrecht which is said to have been a 
fairly satisfactory display, amateurs contributing good collections 
and specimens. To obtain the weight of English authority in their 
jury, Mr. W. Watson of Kew was invited to assist in determining 
the awards. Towards the end of the present month a Show will 
also be held at the Hague, and the invited English representatives 
are Mr. J. O’Brien, and an individual whose name is occasionally 
seen in this column. The Chevalier Quarles Van Ufford appears 
to be the moving spirit in both schemes, for at Utrecht he was 
