August 18, 1388. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
149 
S 
0D0NT03-L033U1I MA.CULATU.VL 
This must be placed amongst the most useful of easily grown 
Orchids, and the woodcut (fig. 17) represents a specimen that well 
shows what can be done with the plant when it is properly treated. 
Yaiieties are numerous, and they differ greatly in merit, the one 
here depicted being in the style of the interesting 0. Humeanum, 
afford suitable quarters. The admission of dry hot air directly on 
to the leaves is injurious, but in the summer months it is well to 
afford all the ventilation that can safely be provided, and a mode¬ 
rate exposure to sun to mature the growths will assist the plants.— 
Orchidist. 
THE WEATHER AND GARDEN CROPS. 
Im response to our invitation last week numerous correspondents 
have obliged us with notes on the weather of June and July, with its 
effects on garden crops. A portion of these communications appear in 
the present issue, and we are reluctantly compelled to withhold many 
of equal interest until next week. 
CHESHIRE. 
The months of June an l July were unusually wet and cold for 
Fig. 17.-0D0NT0GL0SSUM MACULATUil. 
'which has been supposed to be a natural hybrid between 0. cor- 
•ditum and 0. Rossi. The greenish brown sepals, the yellow brown 
■dotted petals, and lip afford a peculiar combination of tints, want¬ 
ing perhaps in the brightness some appreciate, but carefully 
arranged with other flowers they have a good appearance. One 
valuable character is the length of time the flowers last either cut 
or on the plant, and as growth is made at different seasons of the 
year a succession of flowers is obtained over a long period. 
Odontoglossum maculatum will stand much rough treatment, 
but its demands are so small upon the attention of a cultivator that 
there is no excuse for neglect. A little good fibrous peat, plenty of 
sphagnum, a cool well ventilated position, and plenty of water from 
: spring to autumn are the chief points to be noted. Any ordinary 
<cool Orchid house will suit the plant, and during the summer a 
iframe not much exposed to the sun and a moist base of ashes will 
the time of the year, though the actual rainfall here we have not 
measured. The effects of the want of sunshine and cold are that the 
season is unusually late, and as a proof of this we have not yet cut a 
Vegetable Marrow nor gathered a dish of Runner or French Beans, 
when last year we were using them long ere this date. Potato crops 
are pretty good both in bulk and quality, though amongst the haulms 
there are indications of disease. The Pea crops have been good too, ex¬ 
cepting the dwarf varieties, which have not done nearly so well as the 
taller ones. Ne Plus Ultra has grown to about 9 feet high, and a tine 
crop, giving complete satisfaction at the table. If we have fine weather 
throughout this mouth the season may be classed as fair, as the bulk of 
crops are good. 
Amongst annuals Stocks and Asters are good ; the former are better 
than last jear, though the latter are scarcely so far advanced as to write 
with certainty on the comparison. I have grown the East Lothian 
Stocks for many years, and this season I may say they have been very 
