254 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 30, 1893, 
Orchids at St. Albans. 
Oncidium ampliatum majus makes a unique display of flower 
here just now, there being many spikes of bloom of this old favourite, 
the individual spikes carrying upwards of 200 blossoms. The floral 
effect is enhanced by the peculiarity of the bright yellow flowers 
being of a milky whiteness on the under side. Dendrobium 
hybridum Owenianum is a good companion to the lovely and 
brilliant D. Venus and the graceful D. Cas^iopo. It was raised by 
Norman C. Cookson, Esq., Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne. The 
flowers, which are produced with the greatest freedom, are borne 
in twos and threes, being carried well away from the pseudo¬ 
bulbs.—J. B. 
Dendrobium nobile. 
At the present time there is to be seen at the seat of 
J. P. Brice, Esq., Bystock, Exmouth, S. Devon, a grand specimen 
of Dendrobium nobile in bloom. The plant is between 4 and 
.5 feet in diameter, and bearing from 500 to GOO fully expanded 
flowers. Mr. Swan lays great stress on the ripening and resting of 
Dendrobiums, which proves beyond a doubt that this treatment is 
correct by the lovely specimen to which I have alluded. There 
will be a grand display for some time to come, as some plants are 
just starting and others are showing their buds.—D. H. M. 
ANGRiECUM SaNDERIANUM. 
A specimen of this charming little Angrtecum, certainly the best 
of the smaller species, is now flowering in the warm Orchid house 
at Kew. It is a native of the Comoro Islands, and was introduced 
by Mr. Sander of St. Albans, whom it commemorates. It is of 
very dwarf habit, with shining dark green tongue-shaped leaves 
from 3 to 6 inches in length. The flowers are borne in two rows 
on a graceful drooping spike about 1 foot long. They are about 
2 inches in diameter, of the purest white, and last a long time. 
The spur is 3 or 4 inches in length. If treated like Phalsenopsis 
no difficulty is experienced in keeping this species in perfect 
health. It is well figured in vol. xxi., page 489, of this Journal. 
Calanthe striata. 
Though the evergreen species of Calanthe do not enjoy the 
widespread popularity of the more showy deciduous sorts, amongst 
them may be found plants of decided merit. C. veratrifolia, 
C. masuca, C. furcata, and C. striata for instance are free flowering 
and handsome species that would grace any collection. The last- 
named, as represented by plants now in flower at Kew, has erect 
racemes about 15 inches high, with flowers about 1| inch in diameter. 
The sepals and petals are cinnamon-brown with a narrow margin 
of golden yellow ; the three-partite lip is pale yellow. The dark 
green lanceolate leaves are about 9 inches in length. C. striata is a 
native of Japan. It requires an intermediate temperature, and 
succeeds well in a compost of peat and loam with a little silver 
sand and sphagnum added. Plenty of moisture at all times is 
essential.—A. B. 
HORTICULTURAL EXAMINATIONS. 
The Royal Horticultural Society, in compliance with numerous 
requests from county councils, directors of technical institutes, 
lecturers, and others, intends to hold an examination in the 
elementary principles and in the practice of horticulture. The date 
fixed for the examination is Thursday, May 4th. 
Being anxious that everyone in the United Kingdom who desires 
to sit for such examination may have the opportunity of so doing 
without unreasonable difficulty, we are prepared to institute such 
examination in any village or town in the kingdom where any magis¬ 
trate, or clergyman, or schoolmaster, or other responsible person 
accustomed to the conduct of examinations, will undertake to act as 
our representative and see that our rules are strictly observed, and 
that no copying or consulting of books, &c., takes place. Anyone, 
therefore, wishing to sit for such examination can do so close to his 
own house, if he will, by the end of the first week in April, put me in 
commmunication with any such respousible person who is willing to 
act as our supervisor of the examination. Obviously we must leave 
this part of the work to the candidates themselves, as we cannot know 
the names of suitable and willing persons in every village and town in 
the country. 
Three scholarships of £26 a year, tenable for two years, are offered 
in connection with the examination, and I am already in correspondence 
with a very large number of persons in all parts of the country with 
reference to it. 
A fee of 33., payable in advance, will be charged to all persons 
entering for the examination, and all letters on the subject requiring 
an answer should contain a stamped and directed envelope. I need 
hardly say that the fee of Ss. will not nearly cover tlje necessary expense 
of the examination, which will, therefore, entail considerable loss on 
the Society’s general funds ; but the Council are of opinion that by 
putting the fee as low as possible they are promoting the best interests 
of horticulture, and they trust that their action will commend itself to 
all lovers of gardens. The entrance fee should in all cases be sent to 
me before the date of examination.—W. Wilks, Secretary, Royal 
Horticultural Society, 117, Victoria Street, S.W. 
Events op the Week. —Apart from the customary auction sales,, 
but little of horticultural interest will take place in the metropolis- 
during the ensuing week. The monthly meeting of the National 
Amateur Gardeners’ Association will be held, however, on Tuesday, 
April 4th, at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, and the Fellows 
of the Linnean Society meet on Thursday, April Gth. 
- The Weather in London. —We have to record another 
week of bright dry weather in the metropolis. Saturday and Sunday 
were warm and sunny, but cold winds were prevalent on Monday, 
Tuesday was also a typical March day—bright, with rather keen winds. 
Wednesday opened similarly, and at the time of going to press there are 
prospects of the fine weather continuing. 
- Weather in the North. —We have had a week of remark¬ 
ably fine weather, the days sunny and warm, with frosts of from 4° to 6® 
during the nights. Although there has been no frost for the last two- 
nights (28th), the weather has been colder, as the wind set into the east 
on Sunday.—B. D., S. Perth-^liire. 
- British Fruit Growers’ Association.—A general meeting- 
of the members of this Association was held at the Hotel Windsor on 
Tuesday, March 28th, Mr. T. Francis Rivers occupying the chair. Owing 
to the gross irregularities of an official it was ultimately, on the pro¬ 
position of Mr. Jefferies, seconded by Mr. Bunyard, unanimously 
resolved “ that the affairs of the Association be forthwith wound up with 
a view to its dissolution.” A sub-committee was appointed to carryout 
the necessary details relative to the proposition. 
- Death of Mr. Alexander McKenzie.—W e regret to 
announce the death of the Bailiff of Epping Forest in his sixty-fourth 
year. JMr. McKenzie was born in Inverness-shire, and eventually 
became gardener to a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works, and 
his abilities recommended him to other and wider duties. He designed 
the grounds and planting of the Alexandra Park, also the Thames 
Embankment Gardens, and planted the avenue of Plane trees along 
the fine promenade. He was also employed in landscape work 
generally till his appointment by the Corporation of London to the 
position which he creditably occupied till his death. Mr. McKenzie 
was a Major of the Honourable Artillery Company, and was greatly 
respected by many friends’. His funeral takes place in the Finchley 
Cemetery at 2.30 on our date of publication. 
- Daisies from Seed. —Those who wish to work up a stock of 
these useful spring flowering plants quickly will do well to give this 
method of propagation a trial, for if they obtain seed from a reliable 
firm they may depend upon getting a large percentage of really good 
flowers. Last June I sowed some seed, and when the seedlings were 
large enough planted them in rich light soil 6 inches apart, taking care 
throughout the summer months to keep the soil well stirred with the 
hoe. With this treatment they grew strong and sturdy, showing much 
greater vigour than other plants obtained by division. The seedlings 
are now coming into flower, the few worthle-ss ones being consigned to 
the rubbish heap, and the others are planted in beds and borders. I 
find the white and pink forms are especially good, the flowers being 
large, full, and equal to many named varieties. Daisies of all descrip¬ 
tions do best with us when the planting is delayed till spring, for 
however firmly the soil may be pressed around them, if removed during 
the autrrmn, the action of the winter frosts upon the soil loosens it so 
much that many of the plants are lost in consequence of the roots 
being exposed to sharp frosts when unaccompanied by snow.— 
H. Dunkin. 
