298 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER 
[ April 15, 1888. 
HARDY 0RCHID3. 
The hints which have been previously given refer exclusively to 
the exotic Orchids, which require to be grown in glass houses in this 
country, but there is a large group of beautiful species, mostly 
terrestrial, which can be cultivated out of doors. Amongst them are 
several found wild in Britain, but none the less worthy of attention 
on that account, though we owe the showiest to North America, such 
as the beautiful rose and white Cypripedium spectabile, which, when 
well grown, is superior to many of its tropical brethren. Orchis 
foliosa and maculata, with crimson and spotted flowers in dense 
racemes, are also plants of great attraction, and admirably adapted 
for culture in pots. We have plenty structurally interesting in the 
genus Ophrys, which comprises the Bee, Spider, and Fly Orchids, and 
many are also sweetly scented. The situation most suitable to the 
greater number is at the foot of a rather shady bank or rockery, and 
then the other species which are found on higher lands, and require a 
chalky or sandy soil, can be accommodated upon the slope. For some 
a constantly damp soil of peat, leaf mould, and a little turfy loam is 
the best, such as Cypripedium spectabile, Epipactis palustris, Orchis 
foliosa, 0. latifolia, 0. maculata, and 0. Stabiana. Another group 
requires a slightly drier position and a small proportion of sand in 
the soil, such as Calopogon pulchellus, Cephalanthera grandiflora, 
C. rubra, Cypripediums acaulis, calceolus, candidum, japonicum, ma- 
cranthura, and pubescens ; Epipactis latifolia, Goodyera pubescens, 
Gymnadenia conopsea, Habenaria japonica, H. radiata, and H. 
viridis ; Orchis mascula, papilionacea, and spectabilis ; Serapias 
cordigeia, and longipetala. The third group require to be compara¬ 
tively dry during winter, but moist at other times, though not wet 
like the first named, and the soil should consist of loam or peat and 
chalk. The best for this position are the following : Aceras anthro- 
pophora, Habenaria bifolia, lutea, and ehlorantha ; Neottia spiralis, 
Ophrys arachnites, aranifera, apifera, speculum, tenthredinifera; 
Orchis atlantica, coriophora, longicornis, militaris, pyramidalis, and 
undulatifolia. Some of those named for the cool house can also be 
grown, like Bletiahyacinthina, and Disa grandiflora can also be grown 
in cold frames out of doors, and the former has proved hardy in a 
few sheltered districts. All the hardy Orchids deserve much more 
attention than they receive, and they are by no means so difficult to 
grow as some imagine, if strong roots are obtained when dormant, and 
planted either in late autumn or early spring, the latter being the best 
if the plants are giving no signs of growth. The greatest trouble is 
experienced with wild plants lifted when in growth and transferred to 
gardens, these almost invariably die. Most of the species enumerated 
can now be purchased cheaply at nurseries, where hardy plants are 
made a specialty. 
THE DURATION OF ORCHID FLOWERS. 
Many Orchids continue in flower for a great time, either from the 
duration of the individual flowers or their production in succession 
over an extended period. Some, like Cypripedium insigne, last for a 
remarkably long time when cut and placed in water, continuing fresh 
for two or three weeks. Dendrobiums of the nobile character are 
useful for cutting, as they can be employed in bouquets and button¬ 
holes with great advantage, though not lasting so well as the 
Cypripedium. To assist in the preservation of flowers on the plants 
avoid an excess of moisture in the air, and be careful not to damp 
the flowers when syringing. Some also remove the pollinia to 
prevent fertilisation, and where bees are numerous this is advantageous, 
as the flowers of most Orchids fade almost immediately after fertili¬ 
sation. The list appended gives the names of a selection of the 
Orchids which continue longest in flower 
Orchids lasting eight weeks in bloom — Vanda Sanderiana, 
Oncidiurn Jonesianum, and Coelogyne ocellata. Lasting twelve weeks 
—Cypripedium Argus, C. barbatum, C. Spicerianum, Dendrobium 
Dean, Lycaste Skinneri, and Masdevallia ignea. Lasting thirteen 
weeks Oncidiurn tigrinum, Odontoglossum cariniferum, 0. Rossi 
majus, Sophrqnitis grandiflora, and Vanda coerulea. Lasting sixteen 
wee: VCypripedium Harrieianum, Calanthe Regnieri, Epidendrum 
crassifolium, Laelia pumila Dayana, Odontoglossum cordatum, O 
bictonense, Oncidiurn cucullatum, 0. incurvum, Masdevallia tovarensis' 
Phalsenopsis grandiflora, and Vanda Batemani. Lasting twenty 
weeks—Epidendrum radiatum, O. vitellinum majus, Odontoglossum 
maculatum, 0. membranaceum, Oncidiurn flexuosum, and 0. linguee- 
forme. Lasting twenty-six weeks—Dendrobium bigibbum, Masde- 
vallia Normani, Odontoglossum L ro-Skinneri, and Phalsenopsis rosea. 
The Cymbidiums also last a long time, and others could be named, 
but those mentioned will suffice as examples, though one curious 
instance, Masdevallia octhoides, deserve notice, as a plant has been 
had in flower for five years. —An Amateur. 
ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY. 
April 14th. 
, secon< ^ Spring Show of the year was not quite so large as usual, 
Dut trie nurserymen’s and amateurs’ non-competing groups were numerous 
and occupied considerable space, most of the former being the same as those 
at Kensington on the previous day. 
Messrs. Paul A Son, Cheshunt, were awarded the first prize for nine 
Roses in pots, showing handsome healthy specimens, profusely flowered, 
the best varieties being Madame dc St. Joseph, Innocenti Pirola, Madame 
Lacharme, Villaret de Joyeuse, Souvenir d’un Ami, and Alba Rosea, some 
of which had several dozen flowers each. The White Baroness was also 
represented by a good plant, bearing full white or blush-tinted blooms. 
The amateurs’ prizes for Azaleas were gained by Messrs. Wheeler, W. 
Wesker, gardener to A. Heaver, Esq., Wandsworth Lodge, Tooting, and H. 
Eason, gardener to B. Noakes, Esq., Hope Cottage, Highgate, for plants of 
medium size well flowered. In the nurserymen’s class for six Azaleas, Mr. 
C. Turner, Slough, with superbly flowered plants of Jean Vervaene, Due de 
Nassau, Baron de Vriere, single, white, large, M. Thibaut, Madeleine, double, 
white, good, and Roi d’Holland, bright red. Messrs. H. Jame3 and Cutbush 
and Son were the other prizetakers. For twelve Amaryllises the same firm 
was first with extremely bright and varied coloured forms. 
Cinerarias were not of remarkable merit; they were shown by Messrs. 
Hill, Phillips, and H. Williams & Son. Both prizes for twelve Auriculas, 
Show and Alpine varieties, were gained by Mr. C. Turner, who had strong 
plants of the leading varieties. 
Pelargoniums were staged by Mr. R. Phillips and H. Williams A Son. 
Mr. T. S. Ware won the first prize for a choice collection of Alpine plants, 
and Messrs. Paul A Son gained a similar prize for twelve hardy herbaceous 
plants, also having some good plants, and they were second in the Alpine 
class with an interesting selection, Primula nivalis being especially note¬ 
worthy. Messrs. H. Lane A Son, Great Berkhampstead, were awarded the 
first prize for twelve hardy Azaleas of the mollis type, the varieties brightly 
coloured and flowers Urge. The same firm was also first with twelve Rho¬ 
dodendrons flowering profusely. 
The miscellaneous groups formed much the greater portion of the exhi¬ 
bition. Mr. B. S. Williams, Upper Holloway, had a very choice collection of 
Orchids, Amaryllises, Imantophyllums, Cinerarias, and fine-foliage plants 
(large silver medal). Daffodils and hardy flowers were shown by Messrs. 
Barr A Son, Covent Garden (silver medal); T. S. Ware, Tottenham (small 
silver medal), and Collins Bros. & Gabriel, Waterloo Road (small silver 
medal), the exhibits being similar to those at Kensington. 
Messrs. H. Lane A Son had a group of Rhododendrons and Azalea mollis 
(silver medal). H. Little, E3q., Hillingdon, Uxbridge, had a fine group of 
well-grown Lycaste Skinneri, Odontoglossums and Cattleyas (silver medal). 
Certificates were awarded as follows :—To Messrs. J. Veitch A Sons for 
Amaryllises Hedila, Pioneer, and Crown Princess of Germany; to Mr. B. S. 
Williams for Amaryllises Marshalli and Joseph Broome ; to Messrs. 
E. G. Henderson A Son for Adiantum fragrantissimum; to Mr. T. S. Ware 
for Cypripedium macranthum; and to Messrs. Paul A Son for Dentaria 
podophylla. 
DURHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND, AND NEWCASTLE-ON- 
TYNE BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The spring Show of the above Society was held on Wednesday and 
Thursday last in the Corn Exchange and Town Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 
and notwithstanding the extraordinary season was of a most satisfactory 
nature. A different method of arrangement was adopted this year. The 
visitors was agreeably surprised in entering the Exhibition to find three 
rows of plants in ribbon fashion 120 feet long, the base being Cinerarias, 
next row Spiraea japonica, and the top Dielytra spectabilis. This has a 
most pleasing effect, but had the Cinerarias been raised a little higher 
from the ground we think the effect would have been considerably enhanced, 
and the new feature consisted in placing tall plants and Palms amongst 
the Azaleas, which was desirable in breaking the monotony of their 
outline. 
The chief prize for plants, £5 and a silver medal, was won by Mr. Ford, 
Pieremont Gardens, Darlington. Rhododendron Veitchi, 6 feet across, well 
flowered, was splendid ; Genetyllis tuliplfera, one mass of flowers ; Clero- 
dendron Balfourianum, with every calyx perfect; and the best of all Erica 
Victoria Regina, about 5 feet across, ev.ry shoot flowered, and of an 
excellent colour, the whole forming a quartette, hard to beat by the most 
skilled cultivator. Mr. Noble, gardener to Theodore Fry, Esq., Woodside, 
Darlington, was second with Tetratheca hirsuta, Genetyllis Hookeri, 
G. fuchsioides, and a splendid plant of Cattleya Trianoe, with eleven spikes, 
but past its best. Mr. J. McIntyre, gardener to Mrs. Gumev Pease, 
Darlington, was first with Azaleas—viz , Oswald de Kerchove, Comtesse 
de Flandres, Apollon. Mr. Ford was second with neat plants of William 
Bull, Due de Nassau, and Roi d’Holland. For Palms Mr. Hunter, gardener 
to E. A. Walker, Esq., Low Elswick House, Newcastle, was first; Mr. J. 
Morris, Park Filling, being second. The Deutzias were an excellent show, 
Mr. F. C. Ford obtaining first prize, followed by Mr. Joseph Punton. Mr. 
Corbett, gardener to E. Liddell, Esq., Benwell Grange, was first for Genistas; 
and for Spiraeas, which were well represented, the prizes were awarded to 
Mr. Corbett and Mr. J. Morris respectively. For six Cinerarias Mr. J. 
McIntyre, J. Noble, and Messrs. Kennedy were awarded the honours as 
recorded ; and Messrs. W. Carrick, gardener to E. H. Ryott, Esq., Gates¬ 
head, and A. J. Brown for Primulas. For Lily of the Valley Mr. J. 
Mclut.yre and Clark A Co., nurserymen, North Shields, were first and 
second, in excellent condition. Hardy Primiuas were as usual good, Mr. 
W. L. Thompson, gardener to E. Bell, Esq., Wolsington, was first; and Mr. 
McIntyre showed splendid Cyclamens. Table plants were as usual a strong 
feature, and competition great. Mr. J. McIntyre secured his usual place of 
first with Aralia Veitchi, Pandanus Veitchi, Cocos Weddelliana, Croton 
interruptus, A’alia elegantissima, and Dracaena terminalis. Mr. Ford and Mr. 
Noble following. 
For twelve nine varieties of Auriculas (Alpines excluded) Mr. W. H. 
White, Killingworth, was first with Pizarro, Lancashire Hero, Sapphire, 
Lord of Lome, and Frank Simonite. Mr. Garret, Hindling Hall, was a good 
second. Mr. White was also first in other classes likewise, and for twelve 
Alpines. For Polyanthuses (gold-laced) not less than four varieties, Mr. 
Win. Sanderson, Walton, was first with Earl Beaconsfield, William IV., 
George IV., and Big Ben. Mr. Edward Adams, Swalwell, was second. 
For twenty-four Hyacinths Mr. W. J. Watson, nurseryman, Fenham,was 
