86 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ February 4, 1886. 
are of a misleading nature. The first error I would refer to is that 
Lastrea dilatata is said to be known as the common Male Fern. The 
common Male Fern is the Lastrea Filix-mas, and L. dilatata is the Broad 
Buckler Fern. The next part of Mr. Newsham’s paper I will call attention 
to is as follows :—“ Of the forty-eight British Ferns we have twenty-one 
rock Ferns, twenty-one which inhabit rich soils, six marsh Ferns.” Now, 
I infer from the above that Mr. Newsham intended his hearers to under¬ 
stand that we have forty-eight distinct species of British Ferns. But the 
whole of the pteridologists are against him, for forty-three to forty-five 
are all that are accepted by any one of the writers on the subject. The 
following is a list of the species that are accepted as such by all who are 
considered authorities on the subjectAdiantum Capillus-Veneris, 1; 
Allosorus, 1; Asplenium, 9; Atbyrium, 1; Blechnum, 1; Botrychium, 
1; Ceterach, 1 ; Cystopteris, 3 ; Gymnogramma, 1 ; Hymenophyllum, 2 ; 
Lastrea, 8; Osmunda, 1; Ophioglossum, 1; Polystichums, 3; Polypo- 
diums, 4; Trichomanes, 1 ; Scolopendriums, 1 ; Pteris, 1 ; Woodsia, 2 ; in 
all 43 ; and I believe in no more that are worth the rank of species. 
The next part of the lecture in question is his reference to liquid 
manure. The following are his own words :—“ Liquid manure I rarely 
use. I look upon it as teetotallers look upon beer. It may be, in fact I 
believe it is, useful when given to a plant which is sickly ; but even then 
it must be very weak. If the Ferns thrive well, let well alone.” I 
wonder what a teetotaller would say to a doctor recommending beer to a 
sick patient and at the same time condemning the use of it by those in 
good health. I feel certain that such advice is not from experience. But 
I have reason to believe that healthy plants are benefited by occasional 
supplies of liquid manure, but I should withhold it from any plant in a 
sickly state.—A Constant Reader. 
WINTER DIGGING. 
As this is an important matter with most gardeners, and as opinions 
differ as to the best methods of ameliorating the soil, I beg to suggest a 
method which I have not seen advocated in your column 0 , but which has 
proved very beneficial. Some years ago I took charge of a garden at the 
commencement of the new year ; my predecessor had got the work up so 
far close by having had nearly all the vacant ground dug. The weather 
had been very wet; the soil was a strong clay. One of the labourers said, 
“ That ground is ruined for two or three years, but he (my predecessor) 
would have it dug let the weather be what it would,” and suggested that 
what vacant ground there was I should have ridged like Mr.-had 
them done years ago. Observing that he was a good workman and of 
good common sense I allowed him to lead and do it as he thought best. 
“ I suppose 2 feet 6 inches apart will do ; that will do for Peas and ’Taters 
both, also for Cauliflowers.” “ Just so,” said I, “ do the best you can.” 
He commenced by marking off the ground (being careful to see that it 
ranged with the adjoining quarters 2 feet 6 inches apart ; then taking the 
soil from alternate spaces and laying it on the solid soil similar to taking 
out the soil for a Celery trench, the moved soil, by being laid above the 
surface, was fully exposed to the action of the weather, and when the time 
came for planting the exposed soil was found to be very friable. The 
trenches were refilled, drills drawn, and Potatoes planted, the spaces 
between forked over, thus leaving all the ground in good condition. For 
Peas the same method was adopted with Spinach between, but prior to 
filling in the trenches a heavy coating of manure was put in and the soil 
filled in. For strong soils this is the best method I have ever practised. 
imot necessary in all places.—J. Gadd. 
THE PERCIVAL COLLECTION OF ORCHIDS. 
n HE ^ ar ^ e an< ^ renowned collection of Orchids formed by the late 
R P. Percival, Esq., Clevelands, Birkdale, Southport,have been entrusted 
to the Liverpool Horticultural Company for sale. Some idea of the 
extent of the collection may be formed when it is stated that the plants 
numbered over 4000, and comprised according to the catalogue 1352 
lots. This was much the largest collection of these plants in that part 
of the country, and was on view from January 25th to Tuesday, 
February 2nd, when the sale of the plants actually commenced. It 
would not be known until the following day or two who really became 
the owners of some of the most important plants that the collection con¬ 
tained, for although all the plants were priced it was provided that in 
case more orders than one arrived for each plant they would be placed 
on one side on the morning of the 2nd inst,, and after informing the 
buyers, not present, by telegram, would be sold by auction the following 
0n „ W, r dnesday > ,Januar y 27th, a large company was invited to inspec 
ine collection, and numbers of gentlemen and gardeners were presen 
from various parts of the country. An excellent lunch was provided, a 
which probably 150 or more persons were present, including amongs 
^ r ' G ’ BetheI ’ gardener to the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim 
Mr. E. Cooper, gardener to the Right Hon. Jos. Chamberlain, Highbury 
Birmingham ; Mr. Swan, gardener to E. G. Wrigley, Esq., Howie 
House, Preston ; Mr. Hathaway, gardener to the Earl of Latham, Lathar 
House, Ormskirk ; Mr. W. Moss, gardener to W. Holland, Esq., Mossle 
HUI ; Mr. Glover, gardener to Sir A. B. Walker, Bart., The Grange 
Woolton; Mr. W. Mease, gardener to C. W. Newmann, Esq., Wyncote 
Allerton ; and Mr. Bostock, gardener to Enoch Harvey, Esq , Riversdale 
Aigburth. The toast to Orchid growers and gardeners was suitabl 
responded to by Messrs. Swan, Cooper, Glover, and Mr. B. G. Waterman 
gardener to A. Tate, Esq. The two former Orchid growers both high! 
complimented Mr. Beddoes, who had grown this excellent collection for 
the late Mr. Percival, on the healthy condition of the plants ge nerally. 
It is indeed difficult in a large collection to maintain every plan t in the 
highest state of health, for both had found from experience that plants 
were very much like individuals, and some out of a large num her were 
sure to be on the sick list. It was clear from the remarks of these two 
able cultivators that they attributed much of the success that had been 
attained with this collection to starting with fresh healthy pi ants. Mr. 
Swan strongly advised beginners, in fact all who desired to have plants in 
a satisfactory state of health, to commence with strong healthy pieces. 
Their remarks fully bore out what has appeared in these pages that large 
established plants are liable to go back, at least for a time, when they pass 
into other hands. 
Mr. Swan raised the question of pruning and syringing for discussion. 
It is clear that the advocates of the former amongst Orchid growers 
are exceptions. Judging from what was said on this subject further 
pruning than the removal of spent pseudo-bulbs—that is, after they com¬ 
menced shrivelling, were not believed in. Much discussion was raised on 
syringing, and there were present strong advocates of both systems. Mr. 
Cooper strongly condemned the syringing of Phalaenopses, and stated that 
when this practice was adopted he could not keep them in good condition 
through the winter, but had succeeded admirably since he discontinued it. 
Mr. Cooper being an advocate of low temperatures preferred the plants to 
have moisture naturally deposited upon them in the morning. Mr. T. 
Moss advocated a free use of the syringe daily, and found that only bene¬ 
ficial results follow, provided care be taken to evaporate the moisture 
from the axils of the leaves and growths before evening. He also devised 
other means to attain this end, even if a piece of sponge were used for the 
purpose ; but this is too laborious an operation, and could not commend 
itself where large numbers of plants are grown. Mr. Swan’s remarks on 
this subject were general, believing, as he does, in a judicious use of the 
syringe, fully taking into consideration the weather, position and con¬ 
struction of the house in which the plants are grown, as well as other 
varying circumstances that the grower has to contend against. Liquid 
manure for Orchids was another topic raised by some whose names 1 
failed to obtain. It was generally agreed that liquid was beneficial for 
terrestrial Orchids, but for epiphytes it was not wise to use it farther than 
to stand it about the hou e to be evaporated in the atmosphere. It may 
be mentioned that the collection that had been under Mr. Beddoe’s charge 
had enjoyed a judicious u e of the syrnge, and no one could fail toadmire 
their clean healthy condition. 
To return to a brief notice of some of the leading plants in this collec¬ 
tion which filled four of the largest bouses in the Vineyard. The plants 
were arranged under numbers, and with the aid of the catalogue were 
easily found and examined. The Coelogynes were wonderfully healthy, 
and the plants'of C. cristata vaiied in price from 5 to 20 guinea 0 . Some 
of the pans in which the plants were growing were 33 inches in diameter, 
and contained no less than 320 pseudo-bulbs. A plant of C. Lemoniana 
(Trentham variety) in a 30-inch pan, remarkably fine, with 210 large 
pseudo-bulbs, and over 3 feet in diameter, was priced at 25 guineas. The 
variety makes an enormous difference in the price ; for instance, two 
other specimens, probably 6 inches more in diameter, were offered for 
8 guineas each. A very healthy plant of C. Massangeana with five leads 
was on view for 20 guineas ; C. Lowii, two leads, one flower spike, 
5 guineas. 
Lffilia anceps and its varieties were very numerous with quantities of 
flowers, but the house was not suitable for their opening. Some of these 
plants were really splendid, being most luxuriant in growth ; as an 
example, one plant with thirty-seven pseudo-bulbs and eight flower spikes 
may be mentioned. The growth was fully double the strength this 
variety is usually seen. Some idea can be formed when I state that the 
leaves were 3 inches wide and proportionately long. The plants of this 
variety, thirty-seven or thirty-eight in number, varied in price from 10s. 6d. 
to 12 guineas, while a plant of L. anceps Percivaliana, with ninety pseudo¬ 
bulbs and twenty-four flower spikes, was 100 guineas. Another plant, 
with thirty-nine pseudo-bulbs and eight spikes, 40 guineas. The next 
was a large plant of L. anceps mixed with Percivaliana, 20 guineas. L. 
Percivaliana delicata (this is the whole stock of this variety), twenty-eight 
pseudo-bulbs, three flower spikes, 20 guineas. Plants of L. Hilli, with 
three and four flower spikes, 10 guineas each. L. Dawsoni, twelve pseudo¬ 
bulbs and one spike, 17 guineas. Smaller plants, with three, six, and 
seven pseudo-bulbs, 3, 5, and 15 guineas each. A small plant in a 5-inch 
pot of L. D. alba (Bull’s variety), with eight small pseudo-bulbs, 10 
guineas. A plant of L. anceps Barkeri, with fifty-eight pseudo-bulbs and 
fourteen spikes, said to be a fine variety, 30 guineas ; and five smaller 
plants, varying from 5 to 10 guineas. There was a good stock of semi- 
established plants of L. a. nivalis, varying in price from 10s. 6d. to 58 
guineas. 
Cypripediums were not numerous, but all were in robust condition, 
and some of the plants remarkably large and well flowered. C. villosum 
(Rollinson’s variety), with fourteen flowers, 10 guineas. Another plant, 
with fifty-six flowers good variety, very fine, 12 guineas. C. superbiens 
(Prince Demidoff’s variety) was remarkably good, having ten growths, 
price 10 guineas. There was also a grand plant of C. ineigne punctatum 
violaceum, with twenty growths, 20 guineas. Smaller plants at 5 and 10 
guineas each. C. insigne Maulei, very strong, twelve growths, 5 guineas. 
A plant of C. Dominianum, fifteen growths, 10 guinea?. There were also 
fair plants of C. caudatum, 10 guineas. C. Sedeni, wih twenty-three 
growths, the same price. C. selligerum, fifteen growths, 8 guinea 0 . C. 
Spicerianum, with seventeen growths, 10 guineap. There were several 
plants of this variety all wonderful for their luxuriant growth. 
