4 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 7, 1886. 
tion is Amaryllis Comte de Germiny. This is one of the winter-flowering 
group obtained from crosses with A. reticulata. One handsome form of this 
type, Mrs. Garfield, has already secured much favour, which the Comte de 
Germiny is likely to share. It has flowers of good size, veined and 
streaked with rich crimson, and having a clearly defined white bar in the 
centre of each petal. They are borne on good heads on stout scapes, the 
leaves being much broader than A. reticulata, but with a white midrib, 
riants are now flowering in the Holloway Nursery, and continue attractive 
for some months during the dullest season. All the plants of the type 
are thoroughly useful, easily grown, and flower lreely. 
Amongst the Calanthes a section is being formed of species or varieties 
that flower much later than the ordinary C. vesti'a or Veitchi, thus con¬ 
siderably prolonging the season during which their pleasing blooms can 
be supplied. One of the latest introductions in this group is C. San- 
deriana, for which Mr. Williams has been awarded first-class certificates 
both at Regent’s Park and South Kensington. It may be termed a highly 
coloured late C. vestita, but is much superior to most forms of that Orchid, 
comes next in order, Dendrobium nobile var. nobilius, and although so 
much has been written in its favour it amply merits all the praise. The 
colour is exceedingly rich, far surpassing all other forms of this useful 
Orchid, and the flowers also are unusually fine in size and of good form. 
A tr o of other good Orchids may be added to this—namely, Lselia pur- 
purata Williamsi, Masdevallia Harryana lateritia, and Odontoglossum 
hystrix magnificum. The Laelia is a superb variety with flowers of great 
size, the sepals and petals crimson purple, the lip intensely rich dark 
crimson ; it is one of the most magnificent Laslias in cultivation. The Mas¬ 
devallia is remarkable for its glaring crimson colour, and the Odontoglos¬ 
sum for its beautifully formed flowers,bro wn tipped and marked with yellow. 
Hymenocallis macrostephana is gradually becoming recognised in 
gardens as a useful stove flowering bulb, and its increasing popularity is 
no doubt due in a great measure to the specimens shown by Mr. Wood- 
bridge, gardener at Sion House, who grows and flowers it admirably. 
The flowers are pure white, in the way of the Pancratiums, and are borne 
on stout scapes in umbels of good size. Nepenthes Excelsior is a hybiii 
Fig. 1.— Davallia fcenicplacea. 
the flowers being very bright crimson with broad lips. Two other notable 
Orchids are Chysis lsevis superba, a grand variefy with rich brown and 
yellow flowers in strong spikes, and Cymbidium elegans, which has long 
tubular yellowish bufi flowers in dense pendulous racemes. The foliage is 
somewhat like C. Lowianum, and it resembles that in strength of habit. 
Though not one of the certificated plants of 1885, a Fern which has 
previously received dual honours may be mentioned, more especially as its 
merits do not seem to be fully recognised at present by those who give 
particular attention to Ferns, but who can only have those that are free in 
growth and graceful inhabit. This is Davallia fceniculacea, the Fennel- 
Tike Davallia, a most elegant, easily grown Fern, alike pleasing in a small 
or a large state. It is a native of the Fiji Islands, and produces fronds 
which at their full size are about 2 feet long and 1 foot brood, very finely 
divided and gracefully arching or Plum-like. As may be judged from its 
native home, it requires a stove temperature, but it is readily obtained in 
good condition, young plants being exceedingly useful for decorative pur¬ 
poses reminding us of some of the more elegant Aspleniums. The wood- 
cut with which Mr. Williams has favoured us truthfully represents a 
specimen of medium size. 
Returning again to the plants of the present year, a famed Orchid 
between N. Hookeriana and N. Rafflesiana, and bears abundant medium- i 
pitchers mottled with bright red, a useful Pitcher Plant to be recommen 
both for its habit and colour. Pavetta montana'is a stove plant ot s ru y 
habit, bearing clusters of white flowers in the axils of the leaves, an 
will be useful, as it flowers in a small state. To conclude our se ec l 
we may mention Sarracenia Buchani, a hybrid between S. ru r ?l „ 
S. purpurea, producing pitchers 8 inches high, with broad rounde 1 
a daik red colour. , 
Nurseries are seldom very gay in January, but Mr. Williams 
number of attractions in his Orchid houses, and many more advanci g, 
that in the course of a week or two, with fine weather, there will e a 
dance of flowers. The general stock of fine-foliage and other plan s 
as healthy flourishing condition as could be wished, while the increasi g 
activity in all departments indicates the approach of the busy season. 
TAR IN FRUIT HOUSES. 
Many years ago I had much difficulty in keeping early Peaches from 
being entirely destroyed by woodlice. Among numerous remedies 
adopted tar, but, like others, did not eradicate the woodlice, and it was m 
