382 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER . 
[ (K tuber 25, 1888. 
friends in the editors of horticultural publications, but I am glad to see 
the general press of the country is now taking an interest in the 
question. Whilst many newspaper readers are evidently competent to 
take an intelligent view of the matter, there are some who seem to 
discern in the agitation something like the sectarian movement of a new 
faith, for which they have quickly set themselves to invent the name 
of the “Faddist.” Well, let it be so. 
If we are to get public attention called to the question, we may 
hope that the long-delayed interest will be fairly and fully aroused, 
and whilst we rejoice in the peace and prosperity of a nation pre¬ 
ferring pruning-hooks and ploughshares to swords and spears, we shall 
yet the more rejoice when we gain the greater victory and proclaim 
the wider conquest of the sickle and the spade. 
(For continuation of Conference matter, see next poge.) 
CYPRIPEDIUil TE13ELLATUM PORPHYREUM. 
This is one of the most handsome of the Veitchian hybrids, 
and as recently shown by Mr. B. S. Williams at a meeting of the 
Royal Horticultural Society its merits were very apparent. It was 
obtained from a cross between C. barbatum and C. concolor,. but 
the characters, as to colouring especially, of the former predominate 
with a slightly altered shape. The peculiarly rich purplish tint 
has however, become intensified, and renders C. tessellatum 
porphyreum conspicuous amongst the C. barbatum family. 
STANHOPEA TIGRINA. 
Stanhope as appear to be amongst the neglected Orchids, the 
short-lived character of their blooms fully accounting for this un¬ 
favourable attention ; but in spite of this failing they are worthy 
of some consideration, as their culture is of the easiest description, 
and their flowers never fail to command admiration. They are, 
moreover, what may be termed amateurs’ plants, for any ordinary 
stove will suit them, and they are not so easily killed by injudicious 
management as many exotics that are cultivated by the amateur 
grower. I recently noticed a vigorous specimen of the above 
species in the gardens of Fair Lawn, Frome, which had several 
branching spikes, the strongest producing eight of its richly marked 
and wax-like flowers that, together with those of four or five 
other clusters formed, quite an imposing picture. They are grow¬ 
ing.in a basket, the only convenient method of culture, as Stan- 
hopeas have the peculiarity of producing their blooms from the 
base of the pseudo-bulb, the pointed flower spike piercing its way 
through soil and hanging beneath at distances varying according to 
the strength of the plant. The blooming period can be consider¬ 
ably extended if several plants are grown. When in bloom they 
should be kept cool and dry, as this will tend to preserve the 
flowers to the fullest extent, but at the most they will only last a 
few days. They require suspending near the roof and abundant 
supplies of water given during the growing season, and they do not 
require frequent disturbance at the roots.—W. S. 
NARROW VINE BORDERS. 
• The article by your able correspondent “ Spectator ” on the 
above subject was most interesting, especially with reference to the 
materials used in the construction of borders confined to such 
narrow limits. A gardener with whom I am well acquainted, and 
who is an excellent Grape grower, recently wrote to me confirming 
the opinion of “ Spectator,” and says he has great faith in the use 
of broken bricks for Yine borders either when forming new or 
renovating old ones. It is, however, since he has adopted the 
narrow border principle that their value has been more particularly 
observed, these naturally affording greater conveniences for obser¬ 
vation. The top-dressing he applied for this season was a simple 
mixture of lime and broken bricks, in the proportion of two-thirds 
of the former to one of the latter ; and the surface of his 
borders are at the present time a perfect network of those large 
white roots, so desirable and pleasing to any Yine grower, and 
which “ Spectator ” describes as being so numerous in the sandy soil 
of one of the borders alluded to in his recent contribution. 
Another item which he attaches importance to is that of making 
the soil quite firm. Mallets are always brought into use when any 
additions are made, whether it is in making new or when a top¬ 
dressing only is applied ; and the Vines amply demonstrate the 
value of a firm soil, the canes produced in such being exceedingly 
short-jointed and sound in texture. This experience is not gained 
from one or two seasons’ observations, but has been the practice 
for many years, and that, too, with unvarying success. 
Abundant proof is given by “ Spectator ” that costly mixtures 
are unwarranted in the construction of Yine borders, and Ifliose 
who have such work in hand, or are contemplating it, are indebted 
to your correspondent for bringing forward these successful records 
of inexpensive Vine culture. No doubt further proof can be pro¬ 
duced by able writers who have expounded the Grape scalding 
question so thoroughly, and as the present is an important period 
of the year for the work in question we may yet be favoured 
with their opinions on this topic also. 
It would be interesting to know if the broken bricks or similar 
material have been used by other readers of the Journal, and with 
what results : the gardener under notice asserting that had he 
the necessity of making a new border he would not hesitate in 
using fully one-half of them if the soil was of a heavy or fibreless 
character.—W. S. 
RUDBECKIA PURPUREA. 
It gave me pleasure, as no doubt it did to many more, to see 
this fine perennial so faithfully illustrated in the last issue of the 
Journal. The peculiarly pleasing shade of colour which renders it 
so conspicuous in autumn is without a rival in the borders ; indeed 
so distinct is it, that I believe I am correct in saying the colour is 
unique among hardy herbaceous plants. The plant is a profuse 
flowerer, a fact which only enhances the value of one of our best 
border plants. I can readily imagine how such an uncommon 
colour would attract attention at Kew by the admiration which my 
own little stock has this season created, with hundreds of flower 
heads in all stages of development. It will be some years probably 
before it reaches the gardens of all who are anxious to have it, for its 
progress is rather slow. Bees are excessively fond of this species, 
and gather around it in great numbers on all bright days. Seeds, 
however, are rarely obtainable. Repeatedly have I endeavoured to 
procure some, but have not succeeded, and the very few which 
constitute a packet from foreign sources have never produced plants 
at all. Division, therefore, is the only safe method of increasing 
the stock, and as the rootstock is hard and woody, this must be 
done with care. Several of the species and forms of Rudbeckias 
possess a kind of rhizome, and are usually more or less evergreen. 
These creeping shoots root freely in their onward course, and thus 
afford ample means of increase. With the species under notice the 
rootstock is compact, very hard and brittle ; the roots also are 
wiry. 
I consider early spring the best time to increase R. purpurea, 
