September 24, 1831. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
26B 
rarity induced people to cut it up. I should think twenty plants 
the outside of cultivated plants previous to the recent importation.” 
With regard to the plants introduced through the Zoological 
hardens Mr. H. Williams gives these particulars. “Cattleya labiata 
’Vera was re-introduced by us from Brazil through Mr. Bartlett 
of the Zoological Gardens in 1882, and we purchased from him in 
1888 five plants, one of which was in flower, the remaining 
<plants subsequently flowering with us. He received them from 
«ome friends of his who were engaged upon railway work in 
^Brazil, and by the time the first plant had flowered had left the 
f?art where the plants came from ; you must understand these 
'people know nothing about Orchids, and they were sent home by 
chance, not even Mr. Bartlett suspecting what they were. We made 
all the inquiries possible to find the whereabouts of these plants 
in Brazil but without avail.” 
Such are the principal facts respecting the introduction of 
Cattleya labiata vera into this country, and though of course it 
cannot be expected that the recent importers will tell us where 
they find the plants, yet at some time we may hear a still more 
•entertaining history. 
Two Beautiful Hybrid Cypripediums. 
At the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on Tuesday 
last, Baron Schroder was awarded a first-class certificate for 
Cypripedium Antigone, a hybrid raised by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, 
Chelsea, to whom an award of merit was granted for the plant 
some months ago. The flower shown on this occasion (fig. 49) 
displayed so great an improvement in all its characters that the 
higher award was accorded. The whole flower has a soft pleasing 
appearance quite distinct from all others; the petals and dorsal 
sepal very broad, white suffused with a soft rosy tint ; the lip 
feeing rounded, and of a delicate blush white, deeper in the upper 
portion. 
The other hybrid, which was well exhibited on the same 
•occasion by the raisers, Messrs. F. Sander & Co , 
St. Albans, was C. hybridum Pollettianum (fig.50). 
It is a hybrid from C. calophyllum crossed with 
C. oenanthum superbum, and therefore possess¬ 
ing a most interesting parentage, both the forms 
named being themselves hybrids, C. calophyllum 
from C. barbatum and C. venustum, and C. 
oenanthum superbum from C. insigne Maulei 
.and C. Harrisianum. C. oenanthum superbum 
is generally regarded as one of the finest 
hybrids ever produced ; but some may probably 
consider the new comer as, in some respects, an 
improvement upon that in richness of colouring 
and general appearance. The dorsal sepal is 
feroad, rounded, margined with white, rich dark 
crimson, with chocolate spots. The petals are 
wery dark, with three dark dots on the upper 
margin, the lower half at the base being of 
a peculiar transparent green with a few dots ; 
the lip is very dark, and the whole surface of 
the flower has a polished shining appearance 
that in a bright light is very effective. It 
is undoubtedly a grand acquisition, and was 
.awarded a first-class certificate last year.— 
iL. Castle. 
mischief. This had better be looked for and destroyed. The pots 
should be carefully looked over and handled to see if they have got 
under any drip and so become soddened, for this is fatal to them. 
When the potting of the p’ants took place in May there were some 
offsets which had not rooted, and consequently were left on the 
plants, as I have found it very difficult to get them to grow unless 
they have a small portion of roots. On examining the plants now it 
will be found probably that they have emitted some roots, and that 
they can be taken off the parent plants. The best plan is to 
remove the earth and then break the offset off with the finger 
and thumb, tearing the main stem as little as possible. When 
taken off they should be labelled and potted. When more than 
one of a kind has to be potted it is well to put them round the edge 
of a 60-pot which has been half filled with drainage and then with 
the ordinary Auricula compost. Where the offset is a good size 
it may be potted singly in a small thumb. In the latter ca«e 
they will make perhaps more rapid progress, as they can b8 
shifted without disturbing the roots. After being potted they 
should be kept close for a few days. This is a good time 
to add fresh varieties -to collections ; such seifs as Heroine, 
Mrs. PoUs, and Black Bess, and such edged flowers as F. D. 
Hoiner, George Rudd, Mabel, and Mrs. Dodwell will be found 
useful additions. 
Carnations and Picotees —This is the most disastrous season 
I recollect for nnny years. There will be with many great diffi¬ 
culties in keeping up their collections, and where, as in my case, 
severe losses have been experienced it will be a good time now to look 
out for plants to supply their place. All layers should be carefully 
taken off when rooted, which will be, I think, late this year, for the 
weather has been cold and ungenial. With me the grass is stunted, 
and I have determined to cease growing the plants in pots, and 
to return to what was the universal custom in my boyish days— 
growing them in beds. I have no doubt many will consider th : s a 
proof of second childhood, but be it so. Such a shock as this 
SEASONABLE HINTS on FLORISTS’ 
FLOWERS. 
Auriculas. — I have not had (indeed, never 
have), the opportunity of seeing much of other 
growers’ Auriculas, the only collection, in fact, 
being that of Miss Woodhead’s, of which I have 
already written in the Journal ; indeed, as far 
as I know, mine is the only one in the county, 
and therefore my observations refer to that 
a’one ; but from what I hear of others, and 
from my own past experience, I imagine that it 
is a fair sample of the general condition of the 
flowers, for during a cold and wet season such 
as this, the Auricula is, I think, one of the few 
flowers that are benefited. They do not get so 
•dry, and do not require such constant watering, 
and the absence of hot sunlight seems rather to 
suit them. They require at this season of the year but little attention, 
keeping them free from aphis and picking off the dead leaves being 
the chief things necessary. Of aphis I have had very little anywhere 
in my garden this year, and have had consequently but little trouble 
with them. There is also a green caterpillar which sometimes gets 
into the heart, and before you are aware of its presence does much 
FIG. 50.—CSTPRIPEDIUM HYBRIDUM POLLETTIANUM. 
present season has given is not easily got over and I have not the 
hopefulness of youth now. 
Gladioli. —Here again I have had a bitter disappointment. 
For the first time for upwards of twenty years I have been unable 
to put in an appearance at the Crystal Palace, owing to the extreme 
lateness of the season with me. I have fine spikes coming on, but 
