372 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ October 26, 1893. 
sowings that the best results are expected. Light soil is employed 
for filling the pots rather firmly, and the sowing is made in a frame, 
or where that luxury is possessed, in a small greenhouse. As soon 
as the seedlings appear, and are large enough for the operation, 
they are placed singly into small pots and afterwards very carefully 
transferred into large—sometimes 12-inch—pots, in which they 
remain until planted out. While under cover they are watered when 
necessary, and ventilation is freely provided in fine weather, but at 
the same time every care is taken to avoid any kind of check. It 
Js the same in the shifting or repotting, as the Leek is very sensitive 
to root injury, as all who are engaged in the ordinary outdoor 
cultivation know quite well. 
Trenches are prepared by taking out the soil feet deep and 
wide. The lower part is filled with stable manure, and over this 
is placed the well-prepared fine rich soil in which the Leeks are 
planted during May. The sides of the trenches are boarded, and 
fine soil is added as the plants advance to insure the due lengthening 
and blanching of the stems. 
Two rows of Leeks are placed in each bed, 1 foot between the 
plants, and in the centre are inserted several small earthenware 
drain-pipes reaching to near the base of the soil just above the 
manure. To a novice the object of these pipes is rather puzzling, 
but their use soon becomes apparent. When the Leeks are advanc¬ 
ing in growth they are encouraged by liberal applications of liquid 
manure, sheep’s manure being preferred when procurable. To 
avoid saturating the soil around the delicate stems, and thus 
causing discolouration, the liquid is poured into these pipes so as 
to reach the roots direct. 
As the exhibition season approaches the plants are carefully 
examined, and the most promising receive special attention. The 
soil is raised round their “ necks,” and cotton wool is placed in the 
axils of the lower leaves to prevent moisture accumulating and 
causing decay. Then when lifting time arrives the stems are well 
washed and bad leaves removed, but after the cultural period is 
passed Leeks undergo comparatively little dressing to fit them for 
the show's, and if it is evident that much manipulation has been 
practised it tells against them for the better prizes. 
The men engaged in this work derive much pleasure from it, 
and also some advantage, for they all grow many more than are 
needed for showing, as they are greatly appreciated in their homes, 
and some gain far more than they expend by the sale of surplus 
plants.— Wanderer. 
A Warning to Orchid Hunters. 
In consequence of the depredations of Orchid hunters and other 
collectors. Rajah Brooke of Sarawak has, it is said, decided to 
prohibit the collecting of natural history specimens within the 
territory. He has, moreover, taken stringent measures with a 
view to preserving the fauna and flora of the country, many species 
of which were in danger of becoming extinct owing to the ruthless 
manner in which they were being destroyed. 
Oncidium Sanderianum, 
According to the “Garden and Forest” this is an introduc¬ 
tion from Venezuela, where it is found growing at a great altitude, 
and at a very low temperature. It is said to be a free-flowering 
species, producing thickly branched spikes, which are covered with 
rosy-red blossoms ; in form somewhat reminding one of Odonto- 
glossum Pescatorei. Several plants of this Oncidium have lately 
been sold at auction. It is in the way of 0, zebrinum in habit, but 
the pseudo-bulbs are more wrinkled and distinctly egg shaped. 
Apparently it is new to cultivation, and from the collector’s 
description it ought to prove a good garden plant. 
Cypripedium H. Ballantine. 
Those persons who have seen this beautiful Cypripedium will 
agree with me that it is one of the best hybrids in cultivation. It 
was raised by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, and is the result of a cross 
between C. purpuratum and C. Fairieanum, the latter being the 
pollen parent. In habit the plant is dwarf, but the flowers are 
^ceptionally noticeable. The dorsal sepal resembles that of 
C, purpuratum, but also possesses characteristics of the other 
distinct. So far as I have seen 
this hybrid nas not yet found its way into collections generally, but 
iOis it Will doubtless do in due course, —C. 
Orchids at Woolton Wood. 
There is at present in flower at Woolton Wood a curiosity 
amongst the Orchid family, viz., Lissochilus giganteus, a native of 
the Congo, and one which has been flowered only a few times in 
England. It is growing in an 8-inch pot, the pseudo-bulb and 
leaves having a striking resemblance to a half perfected growth of 
Peristeria elata. From this pseudo-bulb there is a spike which has 
reached the extraordinary length of 9 feet 3 inches, at the top of 
which are thirty-six of its peculiarly shaped flowers. Although not 
beautiful, it is a great curiosity and worthy of being grown on that 
account. The culture the Lissochilus receives is as follows : It is 
potted in a mixture of rough peat, decayed cow manure, crocks, 
charcoal and sand. Whilst growing it is supplied with abundance 
of water. As soon as the flowering is over it is kept dust dry. The 
plant is growing in a stove temperature. 
A choice collection of Cypripediums is also grown, the following 
being in flower, viz, Ashburtonae, (Enanthum superbum, Crossi- 
anum, Domini, expansum, caudatum, Spicerianum, Niobe, and 
Morganae Burfordensis, Other well flowered plants are Cattleyas 
Bowringiana and Alexandra, Odontoglossum grande, and a very 
fine variety of Vanda Sanderiana. Mr. Todd, the head gardener, is 
to be complimented on so choice and healthy a collection.— 
R.P. R. 
ARE TOMATO DISEASES CONTROLLABLE ? 
The lucid argument contained in the communication from 
“ Hygienist” (page 325) contains much matter for reflection. The 
graphic description of Bacterium Halstedi,b 3 ' Mr. Abbey (page 350), 
is preserved most carefully by me in case of future emergencies. 
Had he desired specimens of Chrysanthemum buds I could have 
supplied him ; his information is most valuable, and his future 
communications on the diseases of the Tomato will be looked 
forward to with great interest. 
While I am decidedly of opinion the Cladiosporum and 
Phytophthora can be to a large extent controlled, I should be 
sorry to claim, with Mr. Buss, that these diseases can be prevented 
by the ventilator or watering pot. It is an easy matter for culti¬ 
vators to “ talk big ” after such a season of phenomenal weather. 
I know several cases where Tomatoes have grown naturally from 
seeds in the soil, and developed three trusses of fruit during the 
past season. In an ordinary season, unless a cultivator has 
vigorous plants in 5-inch pots, he is unable to secure a crop. Wait 
till we have another 1888 or 1889, when the crops were practically 
failures, and see how many persons we can find who will assert 
they have mastered their enemies with the ventilator and watering 
pot. At the same time I wish it to be distinctly understood I am 
precisely of the same opinion as “ Hygienist ” and Mr, Abbey— 
that the method of culture accorded has much to do with the 
development or otherwise of plant diseases, and I trust that at 
some future date Mr. Abbey’s investigations may enable him to 
point out a preventive or remedy for this and other kindred 
diseases. It appears to me, it is only when we get a combination 
of the practical and scientific man the investigations are likely to 
prove valuable to the general body of cultivators.—J. B. R. 
PEARS VERSUS PEACHES. 
Since the publication of my article on this subject (page 259) much 
useful information has been disseminated by various correspondents, 
bat several of them have failed to grasp the purport of my remarks. 
Mr. Molyneux, for example, on page 287 appears to have overlooked the 
fact- that I was merely suggesting the culture of Pears on walls in 
preference to Peaches, where the latter generally failed, and cited a few 
cases in support of my suggestion. I do not doubt your correspondent’s 
assertion that in bis case Peaches are more remunerative than Pears, 
because I happen to know they are usually so in that locality ; but it 
does not alter the facts mentioned in my notes. There are two 
sides to the question, and w’nilst Peaches fail to thrive satisfactorily in 
certain gardens, it does not necessarily follow that “ the trees are not 
managed in the proper way,” or the “judgment misplaced.” Much 
could be said on this point, but space is valuable at Chrysanthemum 
time, and I will merely say that the trees in the gardens mentioned in 
my previous article were “ properly managed ” in every detail, and 
were not dispensed with until after years of experience, and careful 
consideration had been given the matter. As before stated, choice 
Pears have since been planted in their stead and have proved “ infinitely 
better.” 
In corroboration of my remark that “opinions vary according to 
experience ” on this matter, I need but refer to a few instances. Mr, 
Molyneux on page 287 makes the assertion that “As much as gardeners 
think of Marie Louise Pears, there is great difficulty in inducing fruiterers 
to buy them.” Curious to say on the preceding page (286) another 
correspondent, “ B.,” in referring to early Pears says, “ I have planted 
several trees of Marie Louise, the most useful of early winter Pears. It 
