February 4, 1886. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
91 
The Warscewiczellas are natives of Central America, but though from 
tropical regions they are more frequently inj ured by excessive heat than 
by any other cause, unless it be undue dryness. Like most Orchids that 
have no pseudo-bulbs, they do not need such a strongly marked season of 
rest as those which have stores of nutriment to support them, consequently 
a moderate supply of water is required at all times. In other respects 
they may he treated the same as Zygopetalums, growing them in pots in 
a compost of good peat and sphagnum moss, with adequate drainage to 
prevent any approach to stagnation. This is the simple treatment adopted 
by such experienced Orchid growers as Mr. B. S. Williams, and it has 
been found very successful. One of the best of the species is W. velata, 
represented in the woodcut (fig. 16) prepared from a sketch of a handsome 
well-grown plant at the Orchid Conference last year. It produces its 
flowers abundantly, clustering amongst the leaves or scarcely rising above 
them ; sepals and petals white or tinged with yellow, the lip similar in the 
ground colour, but streaked and stained with purplish crimson, lighter in 
the throat. Though not so showy as some other Orchids it is pretty, and 
the flowers have a very agreeable fragrance. Warscewiczella aromatica, 
with white and purple highly fragrant flowers, is another useful species ; 
W. Wailesiana creamy white with a purplish lip, W. Wendlandi white 
blotched with purple in the lip, and W. Candida, white, are other sp.‘cie3 
that are worthy of a place in large collections of Orchids. 
GARDENING IN CALIFORNIA. 
The following extracts from a letter just received from “ the Golden 
State ” may perhaps interest some of your numerous readers in this 
If your hear anyone speak of coming to this country advise them not to 
come. Hundreds, I might say thousands, are seeking work.” 
DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON. 
lx is with much regret that we have to record the death of one of the 
oldest contributors to these pages—Mr. John Robson, who was for 
many years gardener to the late Earl of Cornwallis and Viscountess 
Holmesdale at Linton Park, Maidstone. Mr. Robson was established at 
Linton Park when he was placed on the staff of the Cottage Gardener 
in 185), and was an indefatigable contributor to its pages and the Journal 
of Horticulture till 1875, when he relinquished his charge at Linton, a 
substantial pension being granted to him by Lady Holmesdale in con¬ 
sideration of his long and faithful services, but this pension ceased at her 
ladyship’s death. On Mr. Robson’s health somewhat improving he resumed 
his pen, and until within a comparatively recent period sent an occasional 
article for insertion. He was a regular contributor during a period of 
thirty years, and no sounder articles on practical gardening have been 
published than those in which he recorded his experience. He was 
thoroughly competent as well as mostgenial and obliging, one of his greatest 
pleasures being to assist all who needed advice on gardening matters. On 
this it will be fitting for those to speak who knew him best. 
An opportunity was afforded in 1876, for the termination of Mr. 
Robson’s labours at Linton Park was felt to be an appropriate time 
to recognise the merits of one who had done so much for gardening 
both by his work and pen. A committee was therefore formed and 
steps taken to carry out the project of a testimonial, and the labours 
Fig. 16. —’WARSCEWICZELLA VELATA. 
country. They are written by a friend who is head gardener to a gentle¬ 
man there.—W. H. Divers, Ketton Hall. 
“ We had a very dry summer. For five months there was not a drop 
of rain, and hot winds were blowing every day. We bad to water all 
plants with a hose, as we could not keep them moist enough, and we are 
now (Jan. 6th) getting very bright days and frosty nights. We have not 
a good thermometer outside, but I should judge the frost lately to have 
been from 7° to 10°. In the wet season it does not rain—it pours—not 
for a few hours, but for days, and sometimes a week, without stopping. 
Before the rain comes everything not irrigated is parched up. After a 
few days’ rain the fields and roadsides suddenly turn green again. 
“ Gardeners are not kept to look at here. We have to work hard, and 
have great difficulties to contend with. A gardener does not hold the 
position here that he does at home, and masters as a rule do not treat their 
servants well. The general style is, ‘ How much do I owe you ? Here’s 
your money. I do not require your services any longer.’’ -is gardener 
in a small place near here; he gets about £ 13 per mon tb, and his board extra 
for looking after the house during absence of the family. Everything here 
is very expensive, especially clothes. Doctors charge £1 per visit. Meat 
is the only thing that is cheaper than at home. 
“ I see by the papers things are very unsettled at home. “England is fast 
becoming a democratic country. They talk of the freedom of this country. 
I have not seen much of it yet, and on the whole a working man is better 
in England if he only gets a living. That is all he does here ; but there 
is one advantage here—he can buy a plot of land, build a house, and have a 
home of his own ; but a man is better off in England on half the money. 
of that committee closed in a pleasant manner on the evening of 
the 29th October in that year in the village inn at Linton. At 
a social meal there spread J. Philpott, Esq., as a principal pro¬ 
moter, presided, and after making a brief address vacated the chair in 
favour of J. Neve, Esq. (who was for many years Steward at Linton), 
and who was deputed to ask Mr. Robson’s acceptance of the offerings of 
his friends. After duly honouring the toast of the Qseen, Mr. Neve un¬ 
covered a handsome silver inkstand, and a purse containing £126, with a 
list of 160 subscribers, and presented them to Mr. Robson. In doing this 
Mr. Neve remarked that after having had close business connections with 
Mr. Robson for many years he desired to bear public testimony to his 
worth and ability. Not only as a gardener, but as an accountant and 
assistant Mr. Robson had rendered him invaluable aid, while his character 
for integrity, industry, and urbanity had won h'm the approbation of all 
around him. Mr. Neve dwelt with emphasis on the generosity of Mr. 
Robson’s disposition in ever seeking to impart knowledge and in being 
constantly ready to render assistance to all needing a helping hand, and 
his matured judgment had been of the greatest benefit, not only to the 
district, but also, through the press, to the general community. 
Mr. Robson’s acceptance of the gift well represented his character as 
a thoughtful generous-minded man. 
Wh n the applause had subsided, Mr. Robson, in the midst of an 
ovation almost overwhelming, in a modest speech and tremulous accents, 
accepted this one more mark of recognition which had been kindly 
rendered to him for “ trying to do his duty.” When he first became 
acquainted with the object of the committee his first desire was to stop 
