March 7, 1896. 
JOURNAL OF EORTIGULTUhE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
201 
paper of the G.R.B.I. and note the applicants for the bounty 
accompanied by the brief biography setting forth their title to the 
votes, see depicted the seamiest side of the seamy side of life. Sad, 
but many shades brighter is it to note one who has subscribed for 
many years being placed without election on its books. One, who 
has in the health and vigour of manhood made the small sacrifice 
of fivepence (a fraction less) per week ; who has by this means 
supported the institution, nor allowed any selfish motive shut out 
the fact that he is his brother’s keeper. Both of these examples 
are yearly presented in the report, the one who has thought for 
others, the one who has not. Both at last turn to this haven of 
refuge, but one is taken, the other—too often—left. So it must 
be until each bears his small share of the burden and enlarges the 
resources. All can pity these painful cases ; some may criticise, 
yet not those who hold aloof for “ People who live in glass houses 
must not throw stones.” 
There are unfortunately various illusions attracting from what 
appears to me a plain duty. One voice whispers, “ Charity begins 
at home.” If this was a fund for supplying tall hats and top boots 
to some far off cannibal island, it might no further concern us, 
who are concerned with too many things to heed the “noble 
savage,” but it is at home and in our own (large) family. Still 
another voice says, “I have a place for life.” Capital places are 
these, if they were not another illusion. The writer had one of 
these places, nor was it failed to be impressed on him at the period 
of installation. Unfortunately it happened to be for the more 
valuable life of an employer, and death makes appalling changes. 
Life is made up of such illusions, but the fewer we allow to cheat 
us the better. 
Instances could be adduced of men I have known, respected, 
and respected still, whose names are to be found on the books of 
the bounty ; indeed, one can pay them more respect, for there can 
be nothing derogatory to the man going downhill in clinging to the 
support he has helped to strengthen in the day of his prosperity. 
But there is something very sad in the numerous examples of those 
failing to have done so, and finding too late they are precluded 
from its benefits, not from lack of sympathy, but from want of 
room. 
“I may not need it,” probably sums up all illusions. We will, 
however, take it for granted—which is a very bold thing to do— 
that you (a non-subscriber) will not need it. May it be so. Yet 
let not that thought preclude you from a good action, nor deter 
you from a plain duty, so will you be “ Above all pain, yet pitying 
all distress.”—E. ^..Duhlin. 
Dendrobium speciosissimum, Rolfe. 
We learn that Messrs. Hugh Low & Co. of the Clapton 
Nursery have now obtained further materials of the above splendid 
new species, which was named some time ago by Mr. Rolfe, but 
has not yet been introduced to cultivation. It was discovered 
many years ago on Mount Kina Balu, in Borneo, by Sir Hugh Low, 
who found it growing on a Magnolia. He describes it as being 
much in the way of Dendrobium formosum in general character, 
but the stems are much more covered with a pubescence of short 
black hairs. The flowers are pure white, except a blotch at the 
base of the lip, which is rich purple-red. The plant is of dwarf 
habit and very floriferous, bearing trusses of about four flowers, 
which are larger than those of D. formosum giganteum. We are 
glad to learn that so fine a species may soon be expected in cultiva¬ 
tion, as it is likely to prove a great acquisition. 
Phal.enopsis Youngiana. 
This charming Orchid was exhibited at the last meeting of the 
Royal Horticultural Society by Baron Schroder, and gained a first- 
class certificate. The character of the flower is admirably depicted 
in the woodcut (fig. 37). It is a splendid variety with broad dull white 
petals, which are slightly tinged with a pleasing rose hue at the 
base. The upper sepal of the flower is of the same colour, while 
the lower are of a very pale rose-maroon thickly covered with 
spots. Pure white and heavily spotted deep rose forms the ground 
colour of the lip. The flower is of splendid form, and one of the 
most pleasing of the Phalsenopsis group. 
Odontoglosshm blandum. 
When well grown this is a charming little Odontoglossum, which 
thrives well in the cool house. The plants grow less than a 
foot in height, and have somewhat flattened pseudo-bulbs and 
narrow bright green leaves. The spikes are produced from the 
base of the bulbs, and carry from eight to twelve flowers, each 
about inch across, and slightly fragrant. The sepals and petals 
are creamy white, irregularly spotted and blotched with brownish 
crimson ; the lip is about an inch in length, narrowed at the base, 
broader in front, and tapering to a point, wavy on the edge, and 
irregularly toothed ; this is also spotted, and has a lemon-coloured 
crest. The Orchid is not even now by any means often found in 
collections, and was formerly very rare. It must not be over¬ 
potted, and does best suspended near the roof in order that the air 
circulates freely about it in the summer, and in the winter the light 
is not subdued. It is a native of New Grenada, and flrst flowered in 
this country about twenty-five years ago. A fine plant was recently 
in flower in the collection of Canon Warre of Bemerton Rectory,, 
near Salisbury, bearing two spikes of brightly coloured flowers. 
Dendrobium nobile. 
Some very flne forms of this grand old Dendrobium are flower¬ 
ing with Canon Warre of Bemerton. D. nobile Wallichi is 
represented by a large plant with very tall stems and richly 
fig. 37.—phal^nopsis youngiana. 
coloured flowers. This contrasts finely with some of the lighter 
forms, such as D. nobile elegans, with large well-formed flowers of 
great substance. Several other varieties of D. nobile are also in 
flower, as well as the typical D. crassinode and the highly coloured 
D. crassinode Barberianum. These, with Saccolabium violaceum, 
a fine lot of Cattleya Trianae in variety, and some fine specimens 
of Coelogyne cristata, make a very interesting and beautiful 
display. 
L.ELIA CINNABARINA. 
This delightful old kind is in no way inferior to the newer and 
better known L. harpophylla, which it to a certain extent 
resembles. The spikes, however, are longer, and carried much 
more gracefully than in the latter kind, and in the best types are 
equally bright in colour. The pseudo-bulbs on strong plants grow 
to a height of 10 or 12 inches, and are sometimes of a bronzy red 
tint, this usually indicating a highly coloured form. They are 
swollen at the base, tapering upwards, and each bears a single leaf. 
The spikes issue from the apex of the pseudo-bulbs, and bear from 
six to ten large flowers. The sepals, petals, and lip are all narrow 
and bright orange red, the latter sometimes edged with white. 
This species should be much more grown, as its culture presents 
no difiiculty. It thrives in pots or baskets, and in the latter is 
especially attractive when in flower. The plants should be grown 
