96 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 3, 1393. 
HABENAPaA CINNABARINA. 
This species was introduced by Messrs. W. L. Lewis & Co. of 
Southgate, together with Disa incainata, Lhidl., and Cynorchis 
grandiflora, Ridl. The colour of its flowers is rather unusual, 
beingj cinnabar-orange, with a few red spots on the back of the 
sepals, and thus resembling those of Disa incarnata from the same 
locality. The plant here described has nine flowers and buds, but 
appears as if very imperfectly developed, and normal specimens 
may be much larger. It is very different from everything hitherto 
described from Madagascar, so far as can be discovered, but its 
exact affinity remains a little doubtful. 
Luisia Amesiana. 
This species was sent to Kew by Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. of 
Clapton in June, 1891. who state that it was imported together 
with Vanda Kimballiana, Rchh. f. Thus its habitat must be on 
the hills of the southern Shan States, at 4000 to 5000 feet elevation. 
Shortly afterwards it was sent by Messrs. F. Sander & Co. of St. 
Albans, who gave its native country as “ Burma.” It has since 
been received from Glasnevin. It is allied to L. macrotis, Bchh 
but has flowers more than twice as large. The sepals and petals 
are pale yellowish white, slightly suffused with purple near the 
apex, and having a few obscure dull purple markings on the back. 
The lip is suffused with purple, and blotched with dark purple, the 
margin being light greenish yellow. The column is pale green. 
Orchids in the Open Air. 
As many readers of these pages are aware. Orchids have for a 
long time formed a special feature at The Orange, Carshalton, the 
residence of A. H. Smee, Esq., whose name is well known in horti¬ 
cultural circles, and on a recent visit to “ My Garden ” it was seen 
that the enthusiasm in this respect had by no means abated. Mr. 
Smee is apparently as fond of his Orchids as he is of his fruit, and 
in Mr. G. W. Cummins he has an able cultivator. Several houses 
are devoted to Orchids, and a large collection has been brought 
together. The plants, moreover, are for the most part remarkably 
healthy, and when in flower doubtless produce a bright effect. 
The most noteworthy feature in regard to the Orchids at “ My 
Garden,” as Mr. Smee terms the beautiful grounds attached to his 
house, however, is the fact that hundreds of them are grown in the 
open air during the summer. This is not news to old readers of the 
Journal, inasmuch as references to this fact have frequently been 
made, and an illustration appeared in the issue for October 30th, 
1884, demonstrating cleaily the method in which the Orchids are 
managed. Much the same exists at the present time, and a sojourn 
outdoors for a few months proves so beneficial to the plants that 
Mr. Cummins adopts the plan every season. It must not be 
imagined, though, that everyone “ may go and do likewise.” Were 
such the case it is very probable that thousands of Orchids would 
annually collapse, for, notwithstanding that some species are easy 
to manage under glass, they quickly resent any sudden and 
extreme climatical changes. This, of course, is known to most 
Orchid growers, and, therefore, it is not at all surprising that 
they are sometimes slow to adopt new ideas in preference to old- 
world plans. But, as already remarked, it has been proved that 
Orchids can be grown outdoors during the summer under favour¬ 
able circumstances. 
In the garden alluded to there are facilities that cannot be 
found in every establishment. “ My Garden ” is charmingly situated, 
being well watered and intercepted by several small streams from 
the river Wandle. Dells and winding walks exist, and these, being 
covered with a canopy of foliage, form excellent places for the 
plants. No drying winds and scorching atmosphere, the bane of 
Orchids, can reach the plants. On all sides Ferns luxuriate, and 
the plants are placed on open lathed platforms directly over and 
at about a foot from the water. Several hundreds are subjected 
to this treatment, and the whole of them appear to revel in the 
cool moist surroundings. In one dell, amidst trees which afford 
abundance of shade, we find a collection of Masdevallias, some of 
which are in flower, whilst in another part of the garden may be 
seen a group of Odontoglossums in variety. Lycastes, too, and 
numerous cool-house Orchids are placed in the positions indicated 
during the summer. Most of the plants present a healthy 
appearance, so different to the sickly hue which is a characteristic 
in those kept under glass during scorching weather. 
All kinds of Orchids are not, however, subjected indiscriminately 
to the open air treatment. Years of experience have taught Mr. 
Cummins what plants will do well under such circumstances, and 
those that will not. The latter are kept under glass, together with 
the kinds that require a warmer temperature than can be obtained 
under natural circumstances in this country, even during an 
exceptionally “ favourable ” summer. In the latter category we 
may place Cattleyas, of which the best and most choice forms are 
grown. Last week several were in flower, including the beautiful 
C. Mossim Hardyana. Cypripediums are well represented, and the 
same may be said of other Orchids. Arranged in a charming 
fernery many of them make a fine display when in bloom.—C. 
NOTES BY THE WAY. 
There are pleasant examples of English scenery around the little 
Sussex town of East Grinstead, north of which lie the Surrey hills, east 
Ashdown forest, and southwards the South Downs ; there is therefore 
little wonder that the locality has tempted many wealthy Londoners and 
others to establish estates in its vicinity. The breezes which sweep down 
from the forest are robust and invigorating, carrying, perhaps, a little 
ozone from the salt waters lying some twenty-five miles beyond them. 
Possibly they are a little too convincing in the winter and spring, but 
even then their influences cannot be very malevolent, otherwise there 
would be something less significant of healthfulness than the death-rate 
of under ten per 1000 to which Grinsteadians now proudly point. For 
these reasons, not less than for the fact that there are many places of 
interest in the neighbourhood, horticulturists of a wandering turn may 
do far worse than spend a few days in the little town near the Surrey 
border. 
There was a time when a gardeners’ society existed there. Neigh¬ 
bouring blue aprons lifted up their voices in instructive intercourse 
with their fellows, shook their heads sagely over knotty problems, 
pulverised trembling opponents with eloquent invective, and brought 
examples of their skill as ramrods to drive home the bullets of argument. 
Where is that Society now ? Why is the council chamber empty ; the 
Demosthenes and Ciceros of the locality silent; and all things in a state 
of stagnation ? I visited Grinstead in days gone by, and there was talk 
of meetings and shows, of papers and discussions, of competitions and 
medals—everything, in fact, to stir up gardening talent and give gar¬ 
deners something special to think and talk about as well as to work for. 
I return ; and, lo 1 the meetings are no more, the papers unwritten, and 
the cobwebs settling down upon the brains of the orators. It is a sad 
change, and it is natural for a visitor to wonder what has brought it 
about. 
But wondering is not knowing. Trouble appears to have arisen in 
various ways. The excellent President, Mr. George Truscott, took unto 
himself a wife, and fixed his quarters in the neighbouring county. 
Another official took something else and also quitted the scene. Active 
members became disgusted with the supineness of the majority, and it is 
a fact worth noting that the greater number of the members of most 
associations consider that those who are willing to work for it and them 
are honoured by being allowed to do so. From these and other causes 
things went wrong, and the end of it was that the Society’s affairs were 
wound up, and its career of usefulness terminated. Gardeners of 
Grinstead, this is not well. When Greece fought Troy she lacked the 
services of only one of her great warriors, but here all play the part of 
Achilles, and there is no one to carry on the work so well begun a few 
years ago. If there were no good men in the neighbourhood this state of 
things would not be so surprising, but there are numerous fine places 
and practical men, besides the usual complement of cottagers and 
amateurs. 
There is Dunn of Oakleigh, a smart young gardener and generally 
intelligent, cut out for a secretary if there ever was one; Simmons, 
gardener at Mr. Murchison’s beautiful place, whose speeches are still 
talked about; Glen of Brambletye, a canny Scot, whose native shrewd¬ 
ness has been sharpened up by a sojourn amongst the Yorkshire Tykes ; 
Draper of Plaw Hatch, a gardening Lawson in his mixture of wit and 
wisdom ; Harris of Hammerwood, a first-rate vegetable grower ; Jupp of 
Felbridge, whose Conifers are something to be proud of ; Boland of 
Imberhorne, whose special qualities I have had no opportunity of find¬ 
ing out ; Prentice of Paddock Hurst, about whom I am equally ignorant, 
and quite a number of men in smaller places. Here is material enough 
for a practical set of officials and working committee to begin with. 
Why do they not set to work and make a fresh start ? With a long 
pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether the Society could be put on its 
feet again. Who is going to take the lead? 
Mentioning these gardeners and their places suggests to me that a 
few jottings about them may be of interest. I will not study any order 
of precedence nor attempt formal reports, but make a few random remarks 
about them as they come, beginning with Oakleigh. This is the residence 
and estate of Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott, ex-Lord Mayor of London, 
prince of printers, director of railways, and otherwise a very prominent 
figure in the higher City circles. His house is a delightful one, standing 
on high ground and commanding a splendid view of the surrounding 
country. The establishment might almost be termed a model one, 
every department being in admirable order. The work of development 
and improvement has been carried out on substantial lines. There has 
been no jerry-building or cheap-jack fitting, but everything looks solid 
and enduring. The fields are well fenced, the cottages handsome and 
well built, the stables, outbuildings, and garden walls thoroughly con¬ 
structed, the vineries. Peach houses, and garden fittings generally of the 
best type. It is quite clear that Sir Francis is a firm believer in good 
work, not caring for tinsel and flashiness. 
