406 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDEUER. 
[ May 20, 1886. 
Falconeri on a block, and representing one of the best varieties we have seen. 
The flowers were over 4 inches in diameter, with a fine expanded lip, which 
with the sepals and petals was deeply tipped with an intensely rich 
■crimson. Other remarkable plants were the beautiful but rather trouble¬ 
some Laelia majalis, with three large flowers, the pure white Dendrobium 
Dearei, Masdevallia amabilis, a good variety of Odontoglossum nebulosum, 
Dendrobiutn chrysanthum, and Epidendrum vitellinum majus exceedingly 
'bright. 
The second class in the schedule was for ten Orchids from amateur 
growers, and the prizes in this were the most keenly contested of all, four 
good collections being entered. The well-known Birmingham amateur, 
C. Winn, Esq. (gardener, Mr. G. Barnes), secured the premier honours for 
most creditable plants, the strong growth, fresh green foliage, and bright 
clean flowers of which afforded the best testimony of the treatment they 
received being well adapted to their requirements. The plants shown 
were as follows—Cypripedium barbatum, three dozen flowers; Masdevallia 
Harryana, twenty brightly coloured large flowers; Odontoglossum Roezli, 
fifteen flowers ; Oncidium Marshallianum, very bright ; Cattleya Mendeli, 
eight flowers ; Odontoglossum Alexandra ; 0. vexillarium, one of the plants 
that are especially happy in Mr. Winn’s collection, the specimen staged 
having racemes of six or more flowers each, of fine size, form, and colour ; 
Cypripedium Lawrencianum, Lffilia purpurata, and Cattleya Mossim being 
other notable plants. Following very closely in this class was the Right 
Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P. (gardener, Mr. E. Cooper), whose plants 
were healthy, well flowered, and fine varieties; Oncidium Marshallianum, 
O. concolor, with six large racemes ; Cattleya Mossiae, Dendrobium thyrsi- 
fiorum, and Cattleya citrina, with eleven large yellow fragrant flowers ware 
the leading specimens; Odontoglossum Halli leucoglossum, with large 
flowers, a very pretty variety, also being notable. The third place was 
accorded to Joshua Fellows, Esq., his examples of Lielia purpurata, Ada 
aurantiaca, Phalmnopsis Luddemanniana, and the wax-like Chysis brae- 
tescens were scarcely equalled in the Show. An extra prize was deservedly 
awarded to E. Wright, E-:q. (gardener, Mr. Hodges), for well-grown plants 
of useful varieties. A c'ass for ten Orchids was also allotted to nurserymen, 
but Mr. Cypher was the only exhibitor, and won the premier prize for 
plants of similar merit to those he had in the open class. They were as 
follows Dendrobium crystallinum, seven racemes ; Lrelia purpurata, eight 
large flowers ; Dendrobium Bjnsonife, mo 3 t profusely flowered; Calanthe 
veratrifolia, Cattleya Mossiae, Oncidium sphacelatum, Cattleya Mendeli, ten 
flowers; Vanda suavis, Cattleya Skinneri, a handsome specimen with six 
racemes of twenty-three richly tinted flowers ; and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum 
with six long racemes, very beautiful. 
Two classes were devoted to groups of six Orchids, the premier position 
amongst the amateurs being gained by the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain for 
capital specimens of the following—Dendrobium deusiflorum, forty racemes 
of flowers; Laelia purpurata, seven racemes, three to five flowers each; 
Cattleya Mossiae, nine flowers; Laelia elegans, good variety; Odontoglossum 
AlexandrEe, large flower ; Aerides Lobbi, three long racemes, and Oncidium 
Marshallianum with three spreading panicles of brilliant yellow flowers. 
Mr. C. Winn and Mr. E. Wright were placed second and third, both showing 
fresh and well-grown plants. Mr. J. Cypher had the nurserymen’s class to 
himself, and again secured the first prize. 
The Odontoglossums were not so numerously shown as might have been 
expected considering the large number grown. The best amateur's col¬ 
lection of ten distinct Odontoglossums were contributed by Mr. C. Winn, 
the plants of medium size, but well flowtred, and including fine varieties of 
cirrhosum, triumphams,citrosmum, Alexandras, Cervantesi, praenitens, luteo- 
purpureum, vexillarium, tripudians, and Roezli album. Mr. J. Fellows was 
awarded the second prize for some well-grown plants in pans and baskets, 
admirably flow red, and of excellent varieties. The best were citrosmum, 
vexillarium album, Oerstedi, Rossi majus, Cervantesi, and Alexandria. Mr. 
Cypher s plants, which ware first in the nurserymen’s class, were larger and 
finely flowered, representing Roezli and Roezli album, the latter with fifteen 
flowers, triumphans, very richly coloured, vexillarium, Alexandras, Rossi, 
dark co.oured, citrosmum, Halli, Pescatorei, and Cervantesi. 
Cattleyas and Laelias were provided for in two classes like the prec'ding, 
Mr. C. Winn secured first honours in the amiteurs’ class with half a dozen 
medium-sized but healthy and profusely flowered plants of L. purpurata, 
eight large flowers, L. cinnabarina and L. elegans, C. Mendeli, C. Mossiae in 
first-rate condition, and the new C. Lawrenciana, which is fast becoming a 
favourite. Mr. Chamberlain’s second prize collection comprised larger and 
more showy plants, but they were not so distinct as the first, there being 
two varieties each of C. Mossiae and Mendeli, L. elegans alba also being a 
noteworthy plant. Mr. Cypher followed up his good fortune by gaining 
another first prize, without any competition, in the class for six Cattleyas or 
Laelias, the best of all being a charming example of C. citrina on a raft, the 
plant bearing nine handsome flowers. D. Mendeli and Mossiae were both 
good, as were the varieties of L. purpurata, alba and prasiata. 
Masdevallias were shown by two exhibitors, and the difference was similar 
to that in the amateurs’ class for Cattleyas—namely, one had a collection of 
well-grown and profusely flowered plants, but less distinct, and the other 
had Bmaller plants of less effective species but all distinct. As the prizes 
were offered for “ twelve distinct species,” the last-named complied more 
nearly with the terms of the schedule, but this consideration was overruled 
in regard to the superior attractions of the others, and Mr. C. Winn was 
placed first with some beautiful varieties of M. Harryana and M. Lindeni, 
some bearing twenty flowers or more, with M. Veitchi and a f;w others. 
Mr. J. hellows, Who was second, had good examples of Harryana, trianyu- 
laris, Estradae, Schlimi, ludibunda, Houttiana,Veitchi, Lindeni, ignea splen- 
dens, and amabilis lineata. 
The prizes for twelve cut spikes or bunches of Orchid flowers were 
awarded to Mr. J. Cypher, Mr. C. Winn, and Mr. J. Chamberlain in the order 
named, the species represented in the first-named collection, which were 
tastefully arranged in ornamental glasses, being as follows :—Cattleyas 
okinnen, Mossiae, intermedia, citrina and Trianse, Dendrobiums formosum, 
3 u J3, 0 ° l . > Odontoglossum Pescatorei, Oncidium ampliatum, Vanda suavis, 
Cypripedium Dominyanum. Mr. Winn’s flowers were chiefly Cattleyas, 
Dendrobiums, Cypripediums, Odontoglossums, and Masdevallias, Mr. Cham¬ 
plain having Cattleya citrina and Thunia Marshalli very fine. 
Ihe non-competing exhibits comprised several groups of Orchids and 
other plants, for which extra prizes and certificates of merit were awarded. 
Mr. C. Winn had a choice group of Orchids tastefully arranged and repre¬ 
senting a number of species. Mr. Hugh Nettlefold, Hall Field, Edgbaston, 
also contributed a group of Orchids, a specimen of Dendrobium nobite 
being very large, and the variety an excellent one. Mr. J. Chamberlain 
exhibited a small collection of choice Orchids, amongst which the distinct 
aud curiously coloured Epidendrum Wallisi was very notable. J. E. 
Wilson, Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. Jenks) had a magnificent example of Den¬ 
drobium nobile, over 4 feet in diameter and loaded with flowers, amply 
meriting the prize awarded for it. Mr. Hans Niemand, Harborne Road, 
Edgbaston, showed a light and graceful group of plants admirably arranged 
by Mr. Spinks, Lilies, Roses, Richardias, and Azaleas forming the founda¬ 
tion of the group, with a groundwork of Ferns and Isolepis and bands of 
the Hoop Petticoat Narciss. Mr. R. H. Vertegan3 showed a collection of 
Alpine plants in many varieties, including some neat and pretty varieties. 
First-class certificates were awarded for the following :— 
Dendrobium, Wardianum Wrighti (E. Wright, Esq.).—A variety with 
exceedingly large flowers, the sepals and petals broad, the lip deeply tinged 
with crimson. 
Gymnogramma Lathamce (Mr. W. B. Latham).—An extremely handsome 
graceful Fern, with long broad fronds very finely divided into linear seg¬ 
ments like some of the dimorphous Aspleniums. It is of strong habit and 
one of the most ornamental forms of the genus. It is said to be of hybrid 
origin, and originated in the Birmingham Botanic Garden since this has 
been under Mr. Latham’s charge. 
MIGNONETTE IN POTS. 
(Continued from page 377.} 
It is not always convenient to affix the trellises to plants before 
branches extend, pressure of other work and want of space prevents this 
being done. At this stage two persons are then required instead of one to 
do the work, and the shoots are often broken in the operation. To remedy 
this the central wirework should be dispensed with, and the trellis com¬ 
posed of two circular hoops, instead of four or five, as is usual. When 
this is done the continuations of the stem must be longer, so that they will 
reach the outer circle, which leaves the centre entirely open. The plants, 
even if they have branched freely, can be placed on this trellis without 
any fear of breaking the shoots, and by one person in less time than two 
could manage the others. 
When the plants are once placed on the trellis, the flowers as they 
appear should be removed, aud the shoots tied down to bring them to the 
base as early as possible. If a good branching strain is grown they will 
branch freely enough by the removal of the flowers without having to 
pinch the shoots. Another matter of some importance at this stage, when 
a regular head of bloom is required, is to stop the whole of the shoots, 
not only those that are showing flower, but those that are not so, that the 
whole will break again and come into flower together. When trained 
bush-shape, considerable care is necessary in order to have well furnished 
specimens. The shoots from time to time must be pinched until the 
whole plant has been well furnished with growing shoots. They may 
then be allowed to extend and produce their flowers. Before these open, 
however, some shoots will need re-tying, for they are certain to take the 
lead of ocheis, and if this is attended to there is no difficulty in having a 
bush well furnished with spikes from the base to the top. 
From the time the plants are established in their largest pots and 
have been furnished with their trellises they may be grown in deep 
frames. They appear to do better in such positions with their heads close 
to the glass than in the greenhouse. They will do very well in the latter 
structure if they have plenty of light from above, but in whatever position 
they are grown the pots should stand on ashes or some similar moisture¬ 
holding material. If the pots stand upon a dry base the plants do not 
make satisfactory progress. They are better in frames, because the pots 
in a large measure can be shielded from drying influences, and evaporation 
is not so great. Air should be freely admitted on all favourable occasions 
after the plants are once growing freely, for these plants cannot endure a 
close confined atmosphere in any stage of growth. Without abundance of 
air they grow weakly, and no after treatment will enable them to produce 
large fine spikes. The object to be attained is a strong sturdy growth in 
all stages of development. When drying winds prevail it is very much 
better to keep the frame comparatively close and apply a light shade than 
expose the plants to its withering influence. 
By the end of September the earliest plants will have furnished their 
trellises, and should be removed from the frame to a light cool position 
in the greenhouse. The plants should be arranged close to the glass, and 
where a circulation of air can be freely admitted to them. Even during 
the winter the pots should not stand upon a dry base, and the plants must 
be kept cool, using as little fire heat as possible. They will do very well 
in a night temperature of about 40°, on mild occasions 5° more will do no 
harm, but if sharp the temperature had much better be 2° lower than 
above. With this treatment the plants will remain in good condition, and 
the growth they make will be sturdy and strong. From the first batch 
a succession of flowering plants can be maintained from November until 
the end of May, or even longer. They are readily retarded by the 
removal of the flowers. Even those that flower first after they fade and 
are removed, or cut for use in vases, soon break again into growth, and in 
due time flower profusely. 
During bright sunshine light shade should be provided, yet care must 
be taken that light is not excluded by the material used. Every ray 
possible must be admitted them. The growths of the plants are certaiu 
to flag if exposed to the full force of the sun during summer, and also 
during the months of April and May, when the plants are flowering under 
glass. 
