October 1, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
283 
spring and growing on throughout the summer months outside. 
Span-roofed frames are best for these plants where air can play 
freely amongst them, although good examples can be produced 
in ordinary lean-to frames. 
Those starting to grow Carnations may place their plants direct 
into the house in which they are to flower after their final potting. 
Let the pots stand on ashes or other suitable material, for they prefer 
a cool, moist base. Open trellis staging is too dry for them and 
necessitates the application of water more frequently than is good 
for the roots. When the plants commence to throw up their 
flower spikes they should be supplied with a neat stake to which 
the flower stems can be tied as they advance in growth. When 
particularly fine flowers are needed in preference to quantity dis¬ 
budding will be needed. Attention is also required in tying the 
flower buds to prevent their bursting. After the flowers com¬ 
mence to open light shade should be applied to protect them from 
the strong rays of the sun. Until they reach this stage no shade 
is needed, or the flower stems and growth from the base will draw 
up weakly. 
Red spider and aphides are the two worst insect pests that 
trouble the Carnation. If the plants are grown in a cool place, 
stood on a moisture-holding base, and carefully watered, the former 
will give very little trouble. Should it appear stir a 3-inch potful 
of sulphur into 3 gallons of rain water, and syringe the plants 
thoroughly. It should be left on three or four fine days, after 
which the foliage can be cleaned by syringing with clear water. 
Aphides are best destroyed by fumigating the house with tobacco 
or one of the patent fumigators provided for the purpose. It is 
important that aphides be stamped out directly they are observed, 
as if allowed to remain until they almost smother the plants injury 
and ruin result. 
The soil for Carnations may consist of good fibry loam, three 
parts, of a rather strong nature, the remaining part being composed 
of sand and leaf mould. To this may be added one-seventh of 
decayed manure. Cow manure that has been stored some months 
and passed through a sieve is best. The loam must be hand-picked 
if wire worms infest it, for they are deadly enemies of the Carna¬ 
tion. Any neglect in this matter will end in a considerable 
loss of plants. 
_ Carnations resent strong stimulants ; in fact, they are positively 
injurious. If potted as directed little feeding of any kind will be 
needed. A small portion of suitable artificial manure applied to 
the surface of the soil after the flowers have commenced to form 
will do no harm. One or two applications will be ample, and only 
a little should be given at one time. Two or three applications of 
soot water in a clear state is beneficial rather than the reverse. 
I shall not attempt to give a list of varieties, for a good selection 
of the very best was given by “A City Man” in the Journal only 
a short time age. Until a stock of the best named kinds can be 
obtained and raised in sufficient numbers, border varieties, or 
even good seedlings, may be potted and flowered under glass. 
— B. 0. 
Cattleya labiata veka. 
The most prominent place in current horticultural topics is 
still occupied by this remarkable Cattleya; indeed, the interest 
seems to increase, and the announcement that 2000 plants from 
Messrs. Sander & Co.’s large consignments are to be sold in Messrs. 
Protheroe & Morris’s Rooms, Cheapside, on Friday next, Octo¬ 
ber 2nd, has again concentrated attention on the long-lost Orchid. 
An outline of its history was given last week, but I have received 
so many letters on the subject that further and fuller reference 
has been rendered necessary. 
With regard to the general characteristics of Cattleya labiata 
vera, it is difficult to give a technical description which will dearly 
distinguish it from the numerous other forms of the labiata group, 
yet it is easily recognised when once known, just as readily as 
Mendeli, Mossise, Trianse, or gigas can be separated from each other. 
Some of the earlier illustrations scarcely do justice to the plant, 
notably that in the “ Botanical Register.” In Paxton’s “ Magazine 
of Botany ” for 1838, however, a coloured plate is given portraying 
the floral characters admirably, and indicating at a glance what 
a superb Orchid it is, and it is strange that though the plants 
in English collections have frequently flowered, a really good 
representation has not appeared since. The flowers are bold and 
handsome, well poised, with broad substantial petals, and a finely 
developed beautifully proportioned lip. There is also a great 
range of colours from pure white to deep crimson, with many 
delicate intermediate shades ; and though the light forms, such as 
pallida and Candida, have been rare in cultivation, it is said that 
pure white varieties are included amongst those recently found ; 
in fact, the collector stated there were “ plenty of whites ” amongst 
the others. 
Then, too, the time of flowering—namely, October and Novem¬ 
ber, is much in the favour of Cattleya labiata, for at that period 
there is a great scarcity of Orchid and other flowers. That the 
plant should have commanded such high prices in the past, when 
beautiful varieties of the other labiata types could be purchased 
for modest sums, is a sufficient indication of its sterling worth, for 
in such a rich and varied genus rarity alone would not increase 
the value so greatly. Now that this Cattleya is placed within the 
reach of all Orchid lovers, it is not surprising the sales have been 
almost sensational, and- Friday will probably bring as large a 
gathering as a fortnight ago, and that has scarcely ever been 
equalled in the annals of the horticultural auction rooms. 
One correspondent asks, “ How is it that such a fine Orchid 
should have been left undisturbed for something like seventy years, 
as the few plants received hitherto could not have been brought 
direct from its native habitat.” This is a difficult question to 
answer, and one upon which the successful collector could throw 
more light than any other person. The plant may be restricted to 
a comparatively small area and the position difficult of access. 
Then, too, it may be out of the ordinary routes of botanical and 
horticultural travellers. At any rate it is quite clear there must 
be some great difficulties in the way, for strenuous efforts have 
been made for many years to find the plant. Experienced col¬ 
lectors have been repeatedly dispatched with that object mainly in 
view, and nothing but failure had been hitherto the result. It is 
not surprising, therefore, an opinion had become confirmed respect¬ 
ing the extinction of the Cattleya. Happily this does not seem to 
be the case, but I have the most earnest assurance that no collector 
from Europe has been recently known to visit the particular 
spot where the plants sent to St. Albans were found. 
This brings us to another point raised by an Orchid amateur, 
who writes to this effect, “ It is said that Cattleya Warocqueana 
and C. labiata vera are identical. What is your opinion in the 
matter ? ” In replying to this it will be necessary to review a 
few of the facts in connection with the appearance of Cattleya 
Warocqueana in England. The first time I saw the plant was at 
the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on May 13th, 
1890, when specimens in flower were submitted to the Orchid 
Committee. As newly imported plants which had come into flower 
on the way, it was found they were not in condition to obtain an 
award, and none was made ; but I remember distinctly that several 
expressed the opinion that it was like C. labiata Warneri. The 
next appearance was at the same place on October 14th, when 
plants were shown in much better form ; the flowers bright and 
varied in colour, and two varieties were selected for first-class 
certificates. It was regarded as a distinct and beautiful form of 
C. labiata, but no one ventured to suggest that it was Cattleya 
labiata vera. The plant was welcomed as an acquisition of con¬ 
siderable value, and it was freely praised as such. It was in this 
light I regarded it, and judging only by what has come before my 
notice I cannot alter the opinion then formed. Further evidence 
may be forthcoming that cannot be ignored, but up to the present 
time I have not seen a Cattleya Warocqueana which I could 
consider identical with the old C. labiata vera, with which I have 
long been familiar in English collections. 
I am aware that Mr. Rolfe has pleaded guilty to a mistake, in 
describing and naming it as a distinct variety, but I cannot imagine 
how so skilful a botanist and careful an observer could be led astray ; 
and though his readiness to admit an error is highly commendable, 
yet I am reluctant to accept his recantation, and, perhaps, after all 
he may find his first opinion was the correct one. 
A third inquirer wishes to know what evidence we have that 
11 the plants now being offered at the Sale Rooms as Cattleya labiata 
vera are the true thing ? ” With regard to that we have first the 
credit of a great firm at stake, which has pledged itself to the 
matter by guaranteeing all the plants sold, and this will suffice for 
