June 13, 1895. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
513 
The sepals and petals are of a peculiar buff shade, with flushings 
of rose. The lip is superb, being purplish rose at the outer 
portion, and yellow mottled with brown in the throat. It is a 
hybrid obtained from P. Humbloti and P. grandifolius, and was 
staged by Mr. W. Murray, gardener to Norman Cookson, Esq., 
Wylam-on-Tyne. 
Odontoglossum Halli xanthoglossum. 
This is a very fine and beautiful Odontoglossum, differing 
principally from 0. Halli in having a bright yellow in place of a 
FIG. 92.—PHAIUS COOKSOXI^. 
white lip. The sepals and petals are massive in the best forms, 
and their clear bright yellow colouring contrasts well with the 
chestnut and purple blotches and markings. O. Halli thrives under 
the coolest treatment, and is a very restless Orchid, frequently 
pushing new growth in the middle of the winter. It is also a free- 
rooting species, and thrives well in rather larger pots than 
0. crispum. The compost may be similar, and the drainage must 
be perfect, as, like all in this section, it must have adequate supplies 
of water at the roots. 
During the present bright weather, and with the drying winds 
prevailing, it is very difficult to keep the atmosphere of the cool 
house as moist as is necessary, heavy shadings and constant damp¬ 
ings being the order of the day. Light sprinklings too are now 
of great service, especially in the afternoons. A little air left 
on top of the house is also advisable, the atmosphere feeling 
fresher, and not so stuffy in the mornings as when the ventilators 
are kept closed all night.—H. R. R. 
Orchids in “My Garden.’’ 
At all times of the year Orchids in greater or lesser numbers 
may be found in bloom in this garden, and, as will readily be 
understood, an abundance of bloom is now to be seen. Later 
on a novelty will be found in the collection of Orchids placed 
under the trees over a narrow stream that winds through the 
garden. Here they flower profusely and look singularly beautiful, 
and Orchid lovers would do well to make a journey to Hackbridge 
to see them. Mr. A. H. Smee and his gardener, Mr. G.W. Cummins, 
are ever ready to unloose their stores of information for the callers 
who are lovers of flowers. Of course at the time of my visit the 
plants had not yet been transferred to their summer quarters, but 
were growing well indoors. 
Cattleyas, of which the collection is a very fine one, were 
making the most varied display about three weeks ago, a very large 
number being then in flower. Varieties of Mossise were conspicuous 
by their handsome flowers of various shades of colour, and also by 
the splendid health of the plants. Lselias, too, made a glorious 
display, and are not so far past their very best to prevent one 
seeing what some of the flowers have been, both as regards size and 
colour. Cypripediums are also grown somewhat extensively, but 
only a few were in bloom at the time of this visit, and of 
these the best was probably Chamberlaiuianum. 
In the Odontoglossum house several superb spikes of bloom 
were noticeable, especially in the crispum section. The flowers 
pourtrayed elegance of form with delicacy of colouration such 
as is so greatly admired in these beautiful Orchids. Here again, as 
with the Cattleyas, the best of health was plainly perceptible in the 
strong growth of tbe many plants. Lending brightness to this house 
were several plants of Epidendrum vitellinum majus carrying 
numbers of flowers of good size and very rich shade. Masdevallias 
in another house lent diversity and beauty, while Aerides Fieldingi,, 
the Fox Brush Orchid, tended materially to the same end.—H. 
MEN AND MANNERS. 
Some reasons—good ones obviously—should be given for 
approaching a subject which may not inaptly be termed delicate ; 
else an apology is due, and that is no reason at all. True, we may 
have to go a little beyond the practical routine of horticulture, 
even into the philosophy of life, to find them. Various impressions 
are afforded by viewing a subject from different angles or from 
different altitudes, and though one may be sufficiently elevated in 
position to look down on the little things of life, they may not 
be looked over or despised. Some, at least, will acknowledge the 
helpfulness such have been to them in attaining that position, and 
maintaining it with a dignity which adorns their station in life. 
Probably there are many gardeners (head gardeners) who have 
felt the necessity of impressing on their young men the need of 
observing those outward and visible forms of respect due to the 
family tbey serve, or, in fact, due to all, for good manners of the' 
best type are not put on and off to serve occasion. Possibly there 
are some who have at limes felt some anxiety on this account.* 
One illustration may be given of a young foreman, who was deputed 
with a caution to show round an expected visitor of rank, in the 
absence of the “ head,” and who expended all his courtesy on the 
gentleman’s gentleman (the valet), finding too late that the less 
imposing personage coming in unobtrusively afterwards was the 
rightful recipient. 
Observations of a quiet life solely devoted to that art beloved 
of readers of these pages leads to the inference that a little moral 
teaching of this kind is not out of place, although it does little 
here beyond showing its importance to those who have yet the 
world before them. True courtesy can hardly in fact be taught,, 
springing, as it appears to do, from a nobler source ; b’lt there are 
FIG. 93.—CYPRIPEDIUM BELLATULUM ALBUM. (See page 525.) ' 
SO many checks and hindrances to its proper development that it 
may be very effectually disguised. It needs cultivation by constant 
exercise, or it is choked by neglect, and manners good or bad are 
essentially contagious. Consciously or unconsciously, the cue 
■which has been given to us by actors now passed from the drama 
of life is appropriated by those passing their novitiate in our com¬ 
pany. This may be borne in mind by all. That the more plastic 
