Jilarch 22, 1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
219 
Phaius Marthas. 
Among the many Orchids exhibited at the meeting of the 
Hoyal Horticultural Society, on the 13th inst, but few attracted 
Tgreater attention than Phaius Marthse. This is a new hybrid, 
being the result of a cross between P. Blumei and P. tuberculosus, 
and was shown for the first time on the occasion mentioned by 
Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. Albans. The sepals and petals are 
huff coloured, the lip very pale pink with a yellow stripe extending 
into the throat, the sides being brown, veined yellow. 
Fig. 36 represents this beautiful Orchid. 
numbers and interest, but all including specimens possessing some 
attractions, and where specialities are made of particular genera 
displays of surpassing beauty are frequently seen.—A. C. 
PROPOSED VIOLA CONFERENCE. 
Communications have reached me as to the desirability of holding 
a conference of raisers and introducers of new Violas during the coming 
season, with a view to the exhibition of seedling varieties, to be adjudi¬ 
cated upon by specially appointed judges, who thoroughly understand 
the Viola, and have an acquaintance with varieties already in 
commerce. 
The very large number of new introductions yearly is a source of 
great anxiety to growers of these flowers, who feel strongly that many 
inferior forms are being introduced, and scarcely dissimilar to those in 
commerce. Although it cannot be made compulsory that all seedlings 
CORYANTHES MACRANTHA. 
In sending a flower of this remarkable Orchid a 
gardener requests us to publish a few notes concern¬ 
ing it, which we do with pleasure :—“ In this and 
'Others of the genus the lip is formed like a ‘ bucket,’ 
one portion of which secretes the fluid that falls into 
the lip and remains there until evaporated, or it 
sometimes fills the ‘bucket’ and overflows by a 
spout. C. macrantha has projections upon the lip, 
which tempt bees to gnaw them ; and Dr. Cruger 
has observed that ‘ the bees may be seen in great 
numbers, disputing with each other for a place on 
the edge of the hypochil. Partly by this contest, 
partly perhaps intoxicated by the matter they are 
indulging in, they tumble into the ‘ bucket ’ half 
full of fluid ; they then crawl along in the water 
towards the anterior side of the ‘bucket,’ where 
there is a passage for them between the opening 
of this and the column. If one is early on the 
look out, as these bees are early risers, one can see 
in every flower how fecundation is performed. The 
humble bee in forcing its way out of its involuntary 
bath has to exert itself considerably, as the mouth 
of the epichil and the face of the column fit together 
exactly, and are very stiff and elastic. The first 
bee, then, which is immersed will have the gland of 
the pollen mass glued to its back. It passes out 
with this, and perhaps enters the same or another 
flower, when the pollen masses are placed directly 
upon the stigma in coming out as before.” 
Orchids near Towns. 
PIG. 36.—PHAIUS MARTHA;. 
Now that the population of the country is so 
densely massed in great centres it becomes a matter 
of importance to sscure plants that will thrive in the neighbour¬ 
hood of the smoke-producing cities, and probably the adaptability 
of many Orchids for culture in such positions has tended largely 
to increase their popularity. In the suburbs of most of our largest 
towns collections of Orchids have been formed by wealthy 
merchants and others, in many cases of remarkable extent and 
value. Beyond these, smaller collections of cool house Orchids are 
very rapidly increasing in number, and the Odontoglossum house 
is becoming almost indispensable in many gardens. The dweller 
in towns certainly has more difflculties to contend with in the 
culture of Orchids than those who are favoured with a pure 
atmosphere free from the noxious smoke and fogs that prove so 
injurious to most plants. 
It is strange that the London nurseries, where Orchids receive 
special attention, are all within the smoke radius, yet visitors to 
those establishments are well aware of the cultural successes 
achieved in them. Some of the best grown Orchids that can be 
produced are there found, and amateurs have learned from this 
that in the suburbs, a few miles from the smokiest portions of the 
metropolis, they can readily satisfy themselves with a house of 
Orchids, and obtain their beautiful flowers with comparative ease. 
Many of these amateur growers frequent the sale rooms, purchasing 
both imported and established plants until their houses are filled or 
their purses exhausted ; then some are sold, and occasionally the 
whole collection is disposed of, finding a home with other rising 
orchidists. There is thus a constant change, but there is no 
question that the total number of Orchid collections has increased 
very greatly in recent years, and this is seen in a marked degree 
around the metropolis. In almost every direction, but especially 
to the south and west, are gardens containing Orchids in varying 
should be sent, still I hope that as Viola experts will be the judges, 
it will be at once seen that certificates granted to any seedlings would 
carry great weight from such a source. Some of the leading Viola 
growers have urged me to take the matter in hand, and I willingly do 
80 . I feel strongly that we are being overdone with new Violas, and 
those who have sterling new varieties would welcome the recognition of 
their merit from sach a conference, and the great publicity which would 
be given to these awards through the gardening Press. 
An admirable opportunity is afforded for such an Exhibition and 
Conference in connection with the Midland Counties Carnation and 
Picotee Society’s next Exhibition, which will take place on Saturday, 
August 4th, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens at Edgbaston ; but I 
suggest the Conference being held on the afternoon and evening of 
Friday, the day previous, and the flowers remaining for the Carnation 
Exhibition on the following day, thus affording those who attend the 
Conference from a distance an opportunity of seeing the superb display 
on Saturday, and returning to their homes in good time. Raisers of 
seedling Pansies are also invited to send blooms for certificates, as 
Pansy experts would be appointed to inspect and adjudicate upon them; 
three blooms of each variety would be necessary. 
I shall be glad if raisers and growers of Violas and Pansies will 
inform me by as early a post as possible if they will endeavour to attend 
such a Conference, and if we may count upon their support in sending 
seedlings, at least three blooms of each, as well as blooms of any new 
sorts recently introduced or raised by themselves or others. Flowers 
could be forwarded by post to reach the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, 
Birmingham, on the Friday morning by those who cannot make it 
convenient to attend, and every accommodation will be at hand for 
exhibiting the blooms. 
All exhibitors of seedlings and new flowers would have a copy of the 
report sent to them. Early replies will greatly oblige addressed to— 
William Dean, Dolphin Road, Sj>arhhill, Birmingham. 
