October 29, 1885. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
377 
and D. Waltoni, a rariety of the crassinode style, are growing most 
strongly, while large numbers of Calanthe Williamsi have made wonderful 
pseudo-bulbs in 60-size pots. Some of the pseudo-bulbs of this charming 
addition to the genus are 9 inches high and 3 inches in diameter. In 
the cool houses is an extensive stock of Masdevallias, Odontoglossum, the 
cool Oncidiums, and other plants. Varieties of Odontoglossum Alexandra, 
Pescatorei, Ruckerianum, Andersonianum, and naevium are flowering 
now. several being of great beauty. There is a surprising stock of 
Epidendrum vitellinum majus, at least 500 plants being suspended in one 
house, and there is about the same number of Barkerias. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
But there is much besides Orchids in Mr. B. S. Williams’ houses ; much 
more, indeed, than can be enumerated now. A few jottings may, however, 
basket Fern, Adiantum dolabriforme (fig. 58), which might well be added 
to any collection of Ferns. It is of similar habit to A. lunulatum, but 
instead of being deciduous, as that species is, it is evergreen. The 
pinnules are also rounder, and the fronds bear at their tips young plants 
like several other species of this section. The character of the plant is 
faithfully shown in the woodcut (furnished by Mr. B. S. Williams). 
The Nepenthes constitute a beautiful display in the long house devoted 
to them, there being some hundreds of pitchers of fine proportions and 
variously coloured, all the best forms being represented, and several pro¬ 
mising novelties are also coming forward. In other houses there are 
hosts of Ixoras, Dipladenias—which have long been a feature in this 
nursery—Tabernsemontanas, and Gardenias. Then in cooler houses are 
magnificent specimen Camellias, Rhododendrons, Ericas, and miscel¬ 
laneous hardwooded plants innumerable. The collection of Heaths is 
Fig. 58.— Adiantum dolabriforme. 
be given concerning the most prominent. Of general stove plants the 
stock is a very large one, comprising all the best of both the flowering 
and foliage types. The collection of Ferns is particularly rich, all the 
most ornamental genera being well represented by their best species, 
while those gems of the Fern world, the Filmy Fernp, Todeas, Tricho- 
manes, and Hymenophyllums, are especially strong in numbers, including 
many rare and choice species. Of Gleichenias there are some fine speci¬ 
mens, which, for clean healthy growth could scarcely be surpassed. 
Adiantums are also largely and well grown, all the old favourites and the 
new introductions being included. Amongst the latter is a very graceful 
an excellent one, the plants being just of a suitable size and in fitting 
condition for growing on into specimens for exhibition. It is regretable 
that so many handsome Ericas have lost favour in gardens, but it seems 
very probable that they will regain the popularity they so well deserve. 
EFFECTS OF EARLY PRUNING ON VINES. 
Several correspondents have touched upon this subject, and the 
balance of opinion at present rather favours the idea that moderately 
severe shortening of the laterals is beneficial rather than injurious.^Mr 
