August 18, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
135 
proportioned, rounded, polished, and of a rosy purple hue, giving 
much character to the flower. The illustration (fig. 1 (!) represents 
a flower from the plant shown by F. G-. Tautz, Esq., Studley 
■nouse, Hammersmith (gardener, Mr. Cawley). 
COLLECTING ORCHIDS. 
An Indian paper recently stated that Mr. Curnon, a collector 
employed by Messrs. H. Low & Co., Clapton, landed some time 
since at Buitenzorg with a view of collecting 10,000 Phalamopsis 
grandiflora in the South Preanger districts, and that he was also 
prepared to receive 5000 plants of Yanda tricolor and Renanthera 
■coccinea. Much difficulty has always been experienced in the 
importation of Phalamopses, as they suffer considerably on the 
journey, and a large proportion are usually dead before they can be 
placed in the cultivators hands. More success has been attained in 
recent years, but even now the losses are often heavy. Frequently 
the collectors now accompany their cases of plants on the journey 
to this country, and this has been found to diminish the risk to 
some extent.—L. C. 
NOTES ON TOMATOES. 
The sale of this choice vegetable is still increasing. There is not 
enough grown to meet the demand, and a good profit can be made if the 
water, and when in full bearing a little liquid manure made of soot and 
sheep droppings will help them, and to have the fruit firm and of good 
colour a little fire heat on cold nights will be a valuable assistance, 
leaving a little ventilation in front and at the top of the house — 
J. Wallace. 1 
1 liN 1 XT ill fclJUln. 
Under a scorching midsummer sun, rendered more oppressive by the 
parched state of the ground from the long-continued drought, I set out for 
a ramble in the Isle of Wight and a few other places in the south of 
England. The state of the weather and the time of the year were not the 
most favourable that one would choose whose time was limited and 
consequently would be obliged to make the best of his way through all 
hours of the day. Fortunately, or unfortunately, force of circum¬ 
stances did not make this imperative on me this time, consequently I 
have been able to make a few jottings which may be of passing interest 
to some of your readers. The forebodings about the heat soon disap¬ 
peared as we sped on our way through the beautiful counties of Surrey 
and Hants and across the silvery Solent from Portsmouth to Ryde, passing 
close to the still stately looking wooden walls of Old England_“ The 
Victory,” “St. Vincent,” and “Duke of Wellington.” Once on the 
island at Ryde, and passing through by rail to Ventnor, I noticed the 
hay harvest was not in such a forward state there as in most parts of 
Surrey, although many garden crops were in a more forward state 
Fig. 16.—Cvpbipedium Okphanum. 
right sorts are well grown. I am as fond of trying new varieties as any 
one, but I always do this with care, and I am still growing my old 
favourite, a selected Old Red. This ought to have been named Royal 
■Standard, for I find by looking at the markets it still keeps its ground in 
quantity above all other varieties, and in quality as well. There is no 
cracking with the Old Red, no shy setting of fruit, and I find it will 
ripen its fruit much sooner than such varieties as Trophy and Dedham 
Favourite. A new variety named Mikado I am trying this season ; the 
fruit and growth are much like Trophy. These are very firm fleshed 
varieties, so take much longer to ripen their fruits. I do not wish to say 
a word against the smaller sorts of Tomatoes, such as the Grapes, Green 
Gage, and Vick’s Criterion. These are very useful for dishing up for 
dessert, but they will never pay the grower for market, I have been 
cutting from outside three weeks from the Old Red planted against a 
south wall. This season is very favourable for outdoor Tomatoes, and I 
daresay many will wish they had planted more out. “ H. W. G.” (in 
correspondents column) had better not trv the express system with 
Tomatoes, for they are far different from Cucumbers in their require¬ 
ments. If he wishes for good fruit he must plant in a good loam, 
cither in boxes, pots, or borders. Two feet apart I find is enough in 
the straight line, but if he has a span-roof house they might be planted 
on each side, or in a lean-to, having one row in front, another row near the 
path, and a third row on the back wall, placing the plants so that they 
are not opposite each. Keep them well pinched in, leaving only the 
main rod. Give plenty of air on all favourable occasions, plenty of 
I can only account for this by the fact that the under grass keeps 
growing later. In the open parts the earth never strikes so hot here, 
and naturally seems much more pleasant than on the Surrey side of 
London. 
Ventnor is known so well, and has been described by so many, that I 
shall not attempt any details of the place. It must be seen, not merely 
the main streets, but the ins and outs and nooks and corners, to get at 
the true character of the place, and to see the different kinds of vege¬ 
tation that grow there. It is many years since I have been there at this 
season to see the Valerian at its best. It is at present the most striking 
feature io the place. It seems indigenous to the—I was going to say 
soil—but from stone walls and rocky cliffs it sends down long fleshy 
roots, in many cases to displace huge stones from the walls, and 
branches out in large bushy heads, ablaze with bright crimson or light 
red flowers ; in some cases forming large banks of colour in front of 
lodging houses or hotels, and in others fringing the edges of rocks or 
cliffs with such vigour that one would marvel how it could be sustained 
—a plant of such a succulent nature. Ventnor has made many strides 
lately, and the Park and Recreation Ground form a great addition and 
attraction for resident visitors, but the approach from the Esplanade to 
the town is sadly marred by the unsightly piece of rubbishy ground, 
by the side of which gushes the mill stream, that might be turned to a 
profitable account, and be made one of the features of the town. But, 
of course, those that are familiar with it “ can’t see it.” It is only the 
visitors that smile at their want of energy in this and other directions 
