January 14, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
31 
suffered much more than the Elders, the Golden one standing really the 
beat. In this case we were given damages without any litigation whatever. 
When you have to apply to chemical companies for damages litigation is 
troublesome to whoever is in charge, and causes much thought and care, as 
chemical companies generally know how to look after their interests. What 
I have generally done here is to use! litmus paper. Take the wind once or 
twice a day, you can generally tell by your nose if alkalian sulphuric acid 
is present in the air. At the same time when the wind is blowing on your 
place see that smoke is issuing from the chimneys, put out your litmus 
papnr. If you use the red and it turns blue of course alkali is present. If 
the blue turns red, then it is sure presence of sulphureous acid, which kinds 
are both injurious to vegetable life. Do not leave the paper out too long, 
as there is always carbon in the air, which would naturally turn the red 
paper blue. We are situated about three-quarters of a mile from the 
factory which did us the most harm. The distance that alkali will do harm 
depends considerab’y on the height of the chimney. The higher it is the 
further the alkali travels before it spreads and does harm. A certain well- 
known chemical company, close to their factory, bought all the ground and 
made it into gardens, and when any of the adjoining farmers complained 
they brought them to see how their gardens were flourishing close to their 
factories. Of cour e, the height of their chimneys were such as to carry 
the gases away some distance, but workmen have got a habit lately 
of letting the gas out of the chambers at night for their own ease and 
comfort. This often causes the most unpleasant results to vegetation. I 
have found plants growing near the ground line, hut not nearly so much 
affected. Plants, after a dose of it, look as if they were burned, and in the 
early stages of growth is worse, and are not apt to get over it for that year. 
There is also another strong fact. Plants and trees that have been long 
established will stand it much better than those of two or three years old, 
which have not the strong hold of the ground, so that when damaged to the 
ground line, there is one fact which goes far to prove wh it I have said as to 
the length or distance chemical fumes will be injurious is that we have on 
the south avenue I mentioned, where the walk is 9 feet, the trees on one 
side are killed, that is the nearest one. and the other side they were doing 
remarkably well. The same kinds of deciduous trees that I have mentioned 
do to plant where alkali abounds, but Elders are the bast. In fact a good 
plan would be to insert Elder cuttings of sorts 3 or 4 feet thick in the 
direction the alkali comes, so as to break the effect of it. Nothing does so 
well as the Elder. It will thrive if the soil is well prepared, as has been 
described, so as to cause a quick growth, and even where alkali is strong a 
pleasing effect may be made of the few kinds of trees I have briefly 
mentioned, providing they are carefully looked after. In many open spaceB 
we plant Elders to relieve the monotony ; these we can either train as 
pyramids or pyriform as we may wish. We generally place the Golden and 
common alternately, which has a most pleasing effect. 
CCELOGYNE CRISTATA. 
This Orchid is remarkable for its easy culture, freedom of flowering, 
and endurance of a cool dry atmosphere when in flower, being indeed 
one that may be removed to the drawing-room or boudoir without fear of 
injury, and forming a most attractive plant for a period extending over 
three weeks. It produces drooping racemes of pure white flowers 
3 or 4 inches in diameter, with a large blotch of rich yellow in the 
middle, the veins having a golden crest-like fringe, and being withal 
fragrant it is in every respect desirable. 
It may be grown in pots, in baskets, and on blocks. Plants in small 
pots or saucers (perforated), and baskets, the latter when neatly mossed 
being suitable for the table. The pots or baskets should be well drained ; 
half the depth may be occupied with crocks, and the material may consist 
of equal parts live sphagnum, rough pieces of peat, and charcoal, with a 
sprinkling of sand, raised in a moderately high cone in the centre, and well 
pressed down. The pseudo-bulbs maybe placed about their own diameter 
apart, and pegged to the surface, using galvanised pegs, which are quickly 
made of No. 14 gauge wire. The pseudo-bulbs should not be buried, their 
base merely resting on the surface of the material. A little live sphag¬ 
num may be placed between them, which gives a neat finish. The time 
to repot or resurface is just after the flowering is over, or, as a rule, the 
early part of February. In resurfacing the old sphagnum should be 
picked out, being careful not to damage the bud at the base of the 
pseudo-bulbs, and supply fresh lumpy peat and live sphagnum. 
I prefer to grow this plant on blocks of wood. The size used is 
18 inches long and about 9 inches diameter, taking off about one-third 
longitudinally, so as to form a flat side for suspending against a wall or 
the end of a house, If the blocks can be suspended clear there is no reason 
why they should not be round and covered with the pseudo-bulbs, 
so as to allow little if any more than their own diameter between them. 
The blocks are of Elm stripped of the bark, I cover them with a little rough 
peat, then introduce the Ccelogyne along with the sphagnum, and secure 
with galvanised nails and copper or galvanised wire. They are suspended 
anywhere in the stove where there is room and light. The effect of these 
blocks when the Gcelogynes are in bloom is charming. The blocks are 
easily kept moist, as the water needs only to be poured on the top of the 
blocks, and there is no fear of water lodging in the young shoots and 
causing their decay. Water will, of course, find its way to the bottom 
of the block, so that the upper part will be driest, and the watering 
must be regulated in quantity so as to saturate the blocks as low down 
only as required. 
During growth the plants must not be allowed to become dry, and 
copious supplies of water are necessary, keeping them constantly wet 
from the time the plants begin to grow in spring, and I give a light dash 
from the syringe twice a day after the pseudo-bulbs begin forming. 
From February to October they require plenty of water, but when they 
are of good size water only need be given to keep them from shrivelling. 
Whilst growing a stove temperature is necessary, or that of the Cattleya 
house, but in winter they may be kept cool or in a temperature of 50° to 
55°, though they will do well enough in a stove temperature, only do not 
keep them very moist, or premature growth may commence. 
Ccelogyne cristata does well in an ordinary stove, and excellently in 
an intermediate house ; notwithstanding, it is all the better if encouraged 
when making growth, as a dry atmosphere causes the leaves to become 
stunted, and as these are so are the pseudo-bulbs and flowers. 
Theft are at least two varieties—viz., C. cristata alba and C. cristata 
Lemoniana, the former being puro white and the other citron yellow.—G. 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY. 
January 13th. 
The Exhibition of late Chrysanthemums provided by this Society at the 
Westminster Aquarium on Tuesday last proved a welcome surprise to most 
visitors, for there was a general opinion that the attempt would prove an 
unsuccessful one. Happily the result indicated in a more convincing 
manner that it is possible to obtain an exhibition of much beauty at a time 
which has hitherto been the dullest in the whole year from a horticultural 
point of view. The Society deserves great praise for their efforts to extend 
the season of the Chrysanthemum, and the most pleasing success of their 
first January display will give them encouragement to organise a show on a 
still more extensive scale another season. 
The schedule provided six classes, in which first and second prizes 
were offered, varying from £2 to 10s., and in several cases third prizes 
were also awarded. The incurved blooms were the least satisfactory, neither 
of the classes for twelve or six blooms being well represented, and it is 
evident that the Japanese varieties must be principally depended upon for late 
shows of this character. A second prize was awarded to Mr. Bettisworth, 
gardener to R. Ewing, Esq., Burton Grange, Cheshunt, for twelve incurved 
blooms, eight being Miss Marechaux and four Princess Teck. A similar 
prize was awarded to Mr. J. Walker, Thame, Oxon, for small blooms of 
White Venus, Duchess of Teck, and Jardin des Plantes in the clas3 for six 
incurved. 
With twelve Japanese R. Falconer Jameson, Esq., Hessle, Hull, secured 
first honours, showing fine full blooms of Triomphe de la rue des Chalets, 
Mad. Augustine Gautheraut, Sceptre Toulousain, and Bend Or, all bright 
fresh blooms. Mons. Comte, Japonais, and Boule d’Or, in duplicate, were 
also noticeable for their good quality. Mr. H. Lister, gardener to Lord Brooke, 
Easton Lodge, D unmow, was a close second with very bright fresh blooms 
of Triomphe de la rue des Chalets, Grandiflora, Comtesse de Beauregards, 
Thunberg, Meg Merrilees, Fanny Boucharlat, and Mad. C. Andiguier. Mr. 
Bettisworth was placed third with Ceres and Meg Merrilees, especially fine, 
and an extra prize was awarded to Mr. Sullivan, gardener to D. B. Chapman, 
Esq., Downshire House, Roehampton, for a number of varieties, but rather 
small blooms. The last-named exhibitor was, however, first with six 
Japanese, showing Mad. A. Tezier, Ceres, and a Yellow sport from Khedive, 
Mr. J. Walter following with small examples of Peter the Great, Blaine, 
and Ethel. 
A class was devoted to a collection of twelve blooms oE any Chysanthe- 
murns distinct varieties, and this brought a pretty display. Mr. Falconer 
Jameson was again the most successful, taking the first place with good 
examples of Golden Christine, Souvenir de l’Ardennes, Marquis of Lome, 
Triomphe de la rue des Chdlets, Roseum superbum, Jeanne d’Arc, Mons. 
Comte, Mad. Berthie Pigmy, Pink Christine, and Mad. Cabrol. Mr. G. Bolas, 
gardener to N.Chandos Pole Gill, Esq., HoptonHall, Wirks worth, was second, 
the best blooms being Mons. C. Hubert and Source d’Or. Mr. Bettisworth 
was third with Fanny Boucharlat in good condition, and the bright yellow 
large Anemone Sunflower was equally fine. An extra prize was awarded 
to Mr. Walker for small blooms similar to those he had in other classes. 
The most effective portion of the display was that in the class for a col¬ 
lection not restricted as to number of blooms or varieties, in which Mr. 
Joseph Lowe, Uxbridge,won first honours with six boxes, containing twelve 
dozen blooms. There were two boxes of Princess Teck, and the same num¬ 
ber of Grandiflora, one box of a beautiful bronze and bright red Japanese 
named Lowe’s Late Bronze, and a box of mixed varieties, such as Fair Maid 
of Guernsey, L’Africaine, Fulton, and Lady Marguerite. Mr. R. Owen, 
Maidenhead, was a very close second with fewer blooms, but some were of 
excellent size and substance, and all were as fresh as possible. The prin¬ 
cipal sorts represented were Boule de Neige, Belle Paule, Ethel, Sarnia, 
Mad. Deveille, Etiole Fleuri, Dr. Macary, Colibri, Fabian de Medians, 
L’Incomparable, Mrs. Mahood, Nuit d’Automne, Golden Queen, M. Delaux, 
and Fanny Boucharlat. Mr. Bettisworth was awarded an extra prize. 
The non-competing exhibits added to the extent and interest of the 
Show, certificates of merit being awarded to the following :—To Mr. F. 
Taylor, gardener to Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., High Elms, Beckenham, 
for a bright and pretty collection ; to Mr. E. Beckett, Alderney Park, 
Elstree, for a collection of handsome blooms representing some of the best 
varieties; and to Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, for a group of 
Primulas and small Oranges in pots, well fruited and most ornamental. Mr. 
G. Sinclair, East Linton Gardens, Peebleshire, N.B., sent a wreath of Elaine 
which was highly commended, as were also three fine blooms of Boule d’Or 
from Mr. Horrocks, Withingten, Manchester. Messrs. W. & G. Drover, 
Fareham, Hants, showed blooms of a Japanese variety named Syrin a, 
which the Committee would like to see again in the autumn. The florets 
were blush-tinted, fluted, and incurved, forming a good solid bloom. 
There was a good attendance of visitors during the afternoon and even¬ 
ing, and considerable satisfaction was exprt ssed at the Society’s first venture 
in a new direction. 
Large Spring Onions. —For exhibition in July and August there is 
always a demand for large spring-sown Onions. Here is a good way of 
securing them. Get some very tough turf, soak it in liquid manure, dry 
it, then cut it into pieces 2 inches square, make a little hole in the centre 
of each with the forefinger, drop two or three seeds into each hole, and 
then place the turves in a layer close together in a shallow box. Shake 
a very little soil over the turf to fill the holes, and then place the boxes 
near the glass in a gentle heat. The seed will soon germinate, and a fine 
