March 2J, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
288 
saerit. Improvement, crimson, is roteworthy for its good truss, but 
«ven more so for its splendid habit. The plants average 15 inches across. 
And have a most even spread of foliage. 
To sum up, the Swanley Primulas are in every respect up to the high 
standard of the firm. They are not only of the highest quality but are 
•grown in enormous quantities, so that collectively and individually they 
are equally striking.— Visitor. 
MILDEW IN VINERIES. 
From the remarks of “A. D.” (page 206) on this subject one would 
infer that mildew is caused only by the roots being in a bad state. The 
worst case of mildew in vineries that I ever saw occurred eight years 
since, owing it was thought to the admission of a supply of air through 
the front ventilators during the time the Vines were in bloom. The 
sun was shining daily with considerable power, a cold east wind blowing 
at the same time, causing quite a draught in the vinery, which was 
planted mainly with late varieties of Grapes. 
By the use of sulphur in the way I indicated on page 206 the disease 
was checked, and by again painting the stems of the Vines the following 
year, as well as the hot-water pipes occasionally with sulphur also, the 
mildew was stamped quite out, and has never been any trouble since, 
no sign of it being visible. The roots of the Vines have not been inter¬ 
fered with in any way since they were planted fourteen years since, 
with the exception of adding a thin top-dressing of loam and wood 
ashes annually. 
These facts are, in my opinion, most convincing that the state of the 
roots has but little, if anything, to do with the attack of mildew with 
which so many Vines have to contend. Yet “A. D.” would have us 
believe that the main cause is attributable to either deficient root action 
or that which is too gross.— Observer. 
SPRINGI^ BEDDING PROSPECTS. 
I FIND that the majority of plants employed for spring bedding have 
passed through the late trying winter without having received much 
injury. Although the frosts have not been quite so severe as during the 
winter of 1891-92, vegetation was without the protection of snow 
throughout the most severe part of the late winter, and I attribute the 
present satisfactory condition of the plants to early planting. I have 
on several occasions proved that it is far better to delay any arrears of 
planting till March than to complete it in the depth of winter, and have 
once more been impressed with the soundness of that practice. 
Having occasion in December last to remove some Violas, they were 
planted in a couple of beds a few days after sharp weather set in, and I 
now find on examining them closely that fully one-third of the plants 
have succumbed, while among large numbers of others set out early in 
November I have not noticed a single failure. In dealing with these 
charming flowers I use a number of two-year-old plants which are planted 
first, beginning the work at the end of October, then the strongest and 
best rooted are selected from among the cuttings inserted early in 
August. Those not strong and well rooted are allowed to remain in the 
cutting beds (which are in sheltered positions) throughout the winter, 
and are now being placed in their summer quarters. The soil being in 
splendid working condition is pressed firmly about the roots, a matter 
of importance in enabling the plants to withstand the drought of 
summer. 
Our soil being light I find it has a great tendency to shrink from the 
collars of the plants during the winter; those which were planted in the 
autumn are therefore looked over now, each plant having the soil 
pressed firmly around it, and the whole surface of the bed lightly stirred 
with the hoe. The latter practice cannot be too strongly commended as 
a means of forwarding all kinds of crops, letting in, as it does, the 
warmth and sunshine of these spring days, which do so much to incite 
root action, sweeten and fertilise the soil. If these matters are attended 
to there are signs of an early and prosperous season for spring bedding 
plants.—H. Dunkin. 
DeNDROBIUM NOBILE IN SMALL POTS. 
The specimens of the above useful Orchid, brought under notice 
by Mr. W. Oliver on page 220, are certainly excellent examples 
of cultivation considering the size of the pots. I cannot boast of 
anything so good in that specified size, but a note respecting some 
cultivated here will perhaps be of interest. 
Two plants of D. nobile in 8 and 8^-inch pots, just finished 
flowering, have carried respectively 3G5 and 400 blooms each, all 
well developed. They have not been disturbed for the last six 
years. I simply pack them with good peat and charcoal amongst 
the roots as often as required. I might say they are almost living 
on the top of the pots, having a network of roots. As long as they 
continue to thrive so well I shall certainly leave them alone. They 
teach a valuable lesson in their cultivation. 
Of larger plants, a specimen here in one 12 inches in diameter, is 
now carrying 620 flowers. Another in a pot 14 inches in diameter 
has 730 blooms expanding, A larger specimen than the preceding, 
now showing for bloom, promises to be of the same excellence 
as the others. The plants are grown in an ordinary stove, then 
transferred to one of the vineries to ripen along with the Vines. 
My opinion regarding D. nobile is it should be grown fast, not 
unduly shaded, and have a decided period of rest. One objection 
against small pots is the plants are difficult to stake without 
lacerating the roots.—J. J. Craven, Allerton Priory Gardens, 
Liverpool. 
Trichoglottis cociilearis. 
This pretty little Orchid does not seem to be very generally 
kuown, judging by its rare appearance, even in large collection^. 
The plant is dwarf in habit, and as shown in the woodcut (fig. 47), 
FIG. 47.—TRICHOGLOTTIS COCHLEARIS. 
has thick slightly channelled leaves arranged in Vanda-like manner 
on opposite sides of the stem. The flowers are borne three or four 
together in small racemes springing from the axils of the upper 
leaves, and are remarkably pretty. The sepals are lanceolate ; the 
petals are broader and rounder at the upper part, both being pure 
white barred with bright purple—a charming contrast. The lip is 
curiously hollowed or scoop-like, terminating beneath in a short 
conical spur, and the form being somewhat suggestive of a shell 
has given rise to the specific name adopted. Trichoglottis cochlearis 
is a native of Sumatra, whence it was introduced by Messrs, 
J. Veitch & Sons a few years ago, 
Phaio-calanthe X Sedeniana rosea. 
Phaio-c.vlanthe X Sedeniana was raised in the establishment of 
Messrs. James Veitch & Soi's of Chelsea from Phaius grandifolius 
fertilised with the pollen of Calanthe x Veitchi. It is a beautiful 
thing with flowers of a shade of pale primrose yellow. It is 
interesting to note that the reverse hybrid has now been raised by 
Mr. W. Lambert, gardener to John Riley, Esq , J.P, of Hapton 
House, near Burnley. In this case, says “ The Orchid Review,” 
the hybrid Calanthe X Veitchi was the seed parent, the pollen 
being derived from Phaius grandifolius. It differs from the 
original form, however, in having the hp light rose colour, marbled 
with a somewhat deeper sb ale, and in having a rosy-red line down 
the centre of each petal. It may therefore bear the name above 
