March 1, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
163 
but by works, and no amount of reasoning as to first causes will 
produce such good results as a sound practical acquaintance with 
the best methods of culture, and the conditions under which each 
is the most applicable. 
To support these assertions we have only to look around and 
note what is being done in the horticultural world. A few years 
ago it was the fashion to maintain that the climate of Britain was 
not suited for fruit culture ; but a few earnest practical cultivators 
paid special attention to the matter, and amply demonstrated by 
their splendidly grown exhibits that we had been labouring under 
a delusion. Practical and persistent writings denouncing the easy¬ 
going loose methods of culture too long practised followed, books 
and pamphlets suitable for small holders and extensive fruit growers 
giving precise and detailed methods of culture in time made their 
appearance, new life was infused into the neglected industry of 
fruit growing, and who will now deny that the Briton at home can 
produce some of the finest hardy fruits in the world ? 
Take the history of the Chrysanthemum during the last few 
years as another illustration of what a great all-round improvement 
has taken place in the growth of these popular flowers since the 
publication of the sound, practically written books sent out by 
successful cultivators. The pages of these works have been studied 
by thousands of gardeners throughout the country, who have 
placed implicit faith in the detailed instructions therein given, 
acted upon them under the guidance of their reason and perceptive 
faculties, and reaping their reward in the shape of more perfect 
produce. This, I think, clearly proves there is ample justification 
for the “ eternal talk of common gardening,” which is of far more 
value to a practical man than prosy discourses on operating causes, 
which more often lead to unsolved mysteries than to the establish 
ment of facts.—A Worker. 
Calanthe Baron Schroder. 
Many hybrid Calanthes have been raised during the past few 
years, but none perhaps can surpass the above mentioned kind for 
richness of colour. Calanthe Baron Schroder is said to be the 
result of reciprocal crossing between C. vestita oculata gigantea 
and C. Regnieri, and it is a most beautiful Orchid, one of the finest 
dark-coloured forms in cultivation. The sepals and petals are rich 
purplish crimson, while the lip is of a dark shade approaching 
maroon crimson. Fig. 25 represents this splendid Calanthe. 
Cymbidium Traceyanum. 
This plant was introduced accidentally along with a batch of 
C. Lowianum and flowered for the first time in 1890 in the col¬ 
lection of Mr. A. H. Tracey, an Orchid dealer of Twickenham. 
It afterwards became the property of Baron Schroder, who, “I 
am informed on reliable authority,” says Mr. Watson in the 
“ Garden and Forest,” “ would not now take 1000 guineas for it. 
Only the one example of it is known, and this is now a splendid 
specimen. It flowers freely, having produced three very strong 
spikes last year. One of these spikes was exhibited among a group 
of Orchids shown some time ago by Baron Schroder. It bore 
seventeen grand flowers, each fully 5 inches across, powerfully 
fragrant, the elegant sepals an inch wide and nearly 4 inches long, 
and the lip as large as that of C. grandiflorum (Hookerianum), to 
which C. Traceyanum is closely allied. The colour of the sepals 
and petals is pale yellow, with streaks and dots of crimson, the lip 
being cream yellow, with crimson spots on the reflexed front lobe, 
and crimson lines on the upright rounded lateral lobes. The large 
waxy-Iooking column is cream white with a purple tip. This is 
a magnificent Orchid, and, compared with some high-priced 
favourites, I should say it is quite worth the value put upon it 
by its owner.” 
Orchids at Roselands. 
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the gardens of 
W. Furze, Esq., at Teddington. The day was a very wet one, 
but the warm welcome afforded both by Mr. Furze and his 
gardener, Mr. Coombs, quickly dispelled all depression on entering 
the structure devoted to Dendrobiums. Both master and man are 
Orchid enthusiasts, and devote many hours of thought and labour 
on their pets. But it must not be supposed that because they grow 
Orchids so well that other plants are neglected. Not at all. Mr. 
Coombs is well known as a successful exhibitor of Chrysanthemums, 
and there are now at Roselands upwards of 500 sturdy plants, 
which promise to afford some good blooms during the autumn 
months. Then there are Freesias in fine form. Hyacinths carrying 
strong trusses, Carnations, Primulas, and many other plants, all 
bearing the impress of skilful and persistent attention. The 
garden, too, looks clean and tidy. On the conservatory wall a 
plant of Pyrus japonica was literally covered with its brightly 
coloured blossoms, and formed a cheerful object for one to see on 
such a miserable day. 
But let us return to the Orchids. It was to see these that the 
visit was made, and it is intended to mention a few of those in 
flower, which appeared to be of more than ordinary merit and 
worthy of more than passing attention. The Dendrobes formed 
the gayest and perhaps the most interesting display, though in this 
latter respect they were closely followed by the Cypripediuins. 
No attempt will be made to describe minutely all the varieties 
in flower, as doubtless they will be well known to readers of the 
Journal. Prominent on entering the house were some handsome 
plants of Dendrobium Wardianum in variety, one of which, called 
by Mr. Furze D. W. giganteum roseum, was exceptionally good. 
The colours were that of the type, but were more highly developed, 
especially at the tips of the sepals and petals, which were of a 
bright rosy pink. D. nobile was represented by some charming 
forms, one or two of which were very fine. A plant of D. Domin- 
ianum was noticeable, as also was a specimen D. caulescens carrying 
