Slay 24, 1888. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 421 
require, which it is impossible to do without injury to the flowers 
more or less when the whole are mixed together. Those growing 
and rooting freely should occupy the warmest position in the house 
where a close moist atmosphere can be maintained, and the plants 
sjTinged twice on fine days. During dull weather the syringe need 
not be used ; in fact, only when the water that lodges in the new 
growths can be evaporated ivith certainty once in every twenty-four 
hours. When this is done no injury to the young growths will 
result from w^ater lodging in them. On fine days this can be readily 
prevented by giving air early in the day at the top of the house. 
Those that have not yet started into growth should be watered 
carefully, but more liberal supplies will be needed from the present 
time. Plants growing in baskets and on blocks with little or no 
moisture-holding material about them must have constant atten¬ 
tion. Syringe plants in this condition liberally, so as to thoroughly 
soak the wood to which the roots cling ; merely dewdng them over 
is useless, for the moisture is gone very soon afterwards. Plants 
subjected to such treatment seldom make satisfactory progress^ 
but if well soaked and syringed they will do well and perfect 
strong stout pseudo-bulbs. 
COOL ORCHIDS. 
Artificial heat can be dispensed with for the occupants of the 
Odontoglossum house, except on solitary nights when the ther¬ 
mometer falls very low. The atmosphere must be kept moist by 
throwing abundance of water about every available part of the 
house. Dry atmospheric conditions are detrimental to these plants, 
and can be avoided if the house is kept close and shaded instead of 
admitting air liberally when drying winds prevail. More liberal 
ventilation will be needed than has been the case up to the present 
time, which will entail greater care in keeping the necessary 
quantity of moisture in the atmosphere. The plants should have 
abundance of water at their roots, and no harm will be done them 
if some is applied to the foliage. They must not be unduly shaded, 
but every ray of light possible should be admitted to them, so that 
their growth will be short and stout. It is necessary only to pro¬ 
tect the plants from bright sunshine. A close confined atmosphere 
combinecl with overshading will draw up the foliage so wmakly that 
it will not have strength to maintain an upright position. Pseudo¬ 
bulbs made under such conditions seldom flower satisfactorily.—N. Gr. 
EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
SUMMER SHOW IN THE TEMPLE GARDENS. 
May 17th and 18th. 
Last week we gave a brief indication of the character of this Show, 
but a few more detaiis of such a remarkable Exhibition will no doubt 
be welcomed by many of our readers. Most unfortunately the weather 
was of the worst possible character on the opening day, rain falling 
with scarcely any cessation. It was better on the second day, but 
showers were frequent. Exhibitors came forward in greater numbers 
than seemed to be likely at one time, and the exhibits throughout 
were of a most interesting description and high quality. Large as 
was the space provided it was adequately filled. 
The entrance marquee, 200 feet long and 30 feet wide, was devoted 
mainly to the groups of market plants in competition, hardy plants, cut 
flowers, and fruits. The groups were arranged upon the grass on the 
right hand side, and a very bright and varied effect they afforded. A 
stage upon the opposite side contained the cut flowers, while it w'as 
found necessary to have a central stage also for miscellaneous collections, 
and some groups of cut flowers which could not be accommodated at the 
side. This tent was remarkably well filled, and the inspection of the 
numerous exhibits occupied the visitors a considerable time. 
By far the most beautiful portion of the Exhibition was, however, 
contained in the spacious marquee at right angles with the one just men¬ 
tioned, and as this was 100 feet long by GO feet wide it afforded ample 
room both for plants and people. The central stage running the whole 
length of the marquee had one side filled with Orchids, one of the most 
extensive and handsome displays of these varied and beautiful plants 
that has ever been provided in the metropolis. Some of the im¬ 
portant amateur and trade collections were represented, anil the plants 
throughout were distinguished alike by their vigorous health and their 
profusion of flowers. The other side of the central stage was filled with 
miscellaneous groups. Pelargoniums, &c., while around the sides of the 
marquee were some scores of specimen Roses, from huge bushes 6 or 7 feet 
high to compact little plants in small pots, all bearing abundance of 
blooms. The Orchids, Roses, groups of plants, and the cut flowers were 
in fact the great features of the Exhibition, and were alone worth a long 
journey to see. 
On Thursday the Shoiv was visited by the Lord Mayor of London, 
accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, the Right Hon. . E. Gladstone, 
M.P., and J. Chamberlain, M.P., with many other di.stinguishcd persons, 
and the attendance was much better than could have been expected in 
such unfavourable wmather. 
ORCHIDS. 
A magnificent group of Orchids was contributed by Baron Schroder, 
The Dell, Egham (gardener, Mr. Ballantine), and the silver cup 
SCUTICARIA KEYSERIANA. 
At the Temple Show of the Royal Horticultural Society last 
week, Messrs. Sander & Co., St. Albans, exhibited a plant of a new 
Scuticaria from the Roraima district, and which was named in 
honour of the Lord Alayor of London, Scuticaria Keyseriana. It 
has the same habit as the other species, S. Steeli, S. Hadweni, and 
S- Dodgsoni, which are all South American, the leaves being 
FIG. 55.-SCUTICAEIA KEYSERIANA. 
several feet long, cylindrical or quill-like, and pendulous ; the 
flowers fleshy, with broad petals and sepals heavily spotted with 
purplish maroon on a yellowish ground ; the lip broad, open, and 
streaked with a similarly dark colour on a lighter base. _ The plant 
is a handsome one, owing to the clear well-defined markings. 
CATTLEYAS. 
All that are in flower should, if practicable, be arranged by 
themselves, so that their flowers can be kept perfectly dry. When 
mixed with the general stock of plants and the syi'inge used, it is 
very difficult to keep them from becoming spotted. They last 
longer in good condition when a cooler and drier atmosphere can 
be given them during the time they are in bloom. This provision 
is beneficial, not only as far as the lasting of the flowers is con¬ 
cerned, but those not in flower can be given the treatment they 
