398 
’JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 18, 1839. 
Twickenham, exhibited a new Japanese Calanthe named Tracyana, 
having mauve and purplish flowers (botanical certificate). Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, showed a hybrid Masdevallia from caudata 
(Shuttleworthi) and Estradae, the latter being the seed parent, and the 
hybrid resembles that greatly in the colour and shape of the flowers. 
Mr. W. Hall, 14, Upper Tulse Hill, also exhibited some fine Cattleya 
flowers. 
CEBTIFICATED PLANTS. 
Lcclia D ig by ana-Moss i a (J. Veitch & Sons).—One of the most 
beautiful and distinct of the numerous Sedenian hybrids raised at 
Chelsea, It is the result of a cross between Lrelia (Brassavola) Digbyana 
and Cattleya Mossiae, the former being the seed parent, and it presents 
a remarkable fusion of characters. The flowers are C or 7 inches in 
diameter, the sepals three-quarters of an inch across, and the petals 
1J inch, the colour being a delicate clear rosy mauve tint. The lip is 
the most striking portion of the flower, being 3 inches in diameter, 
slightly inclined to oblong but nearly round. It is deeply and finely 
fringed at the margin, as in the Brassavola, of a bright jet soft rosy 
tint, with a few crimson streaks in the centre, a golden throat, and 
some duller crimson streaks at the base. The whole flower has a hand¬ 
some appearance, and possesses an agreeable fragrance. The leaves are 
of moderate size, with narrow flattish pseudo-bulbs. In addition to a 
unanimous first-class certificate a silver medal was awarded for this 
Orchid. 
Odontoglossum eg r eg rum (F. G. Tautz, Esq.).—The sepals and petals 
in this Orchid are much undulated and densely dotted with brown on 
white, occasionally with a purplish tint. 
Botanical certificates were also awarded for Ponthieva maculata, 
Acineta maculata, and Saccolabum cerinum. 
Events of the Week. —The chief horticultural event of the week 
will be the Gardeners’ Orphan Fete in Covent Garden Market on Wed¬ 
nesday evening next, particulars of which are given on another page 
Sales will also be held both in King Street and Cheapside of Orchids 
and other plants. 
- At a general meeting of the Fellows of the Royal Horticul- 
TURAL Society held on May 14th, in the Drill Hall, L.S.R.V., James 
Street, Westminster, W. T. Thiselton Dyer, Esq., C.M.G., F.R.S., in the 
chair, the following candidates were elected Fellows of the Society— 
viz., John Walter Addington, Dr. E. Bonavia, W. G. Clark, Thomas 
Grange, John liaise, Miss Alice Hardcastle, W. G. Hazell, A. J. Hem- 
merde, Ernest J. Howell, W. H. Hutchinson, Mrs. Hutchinson, AVilliam 
Kaye, Mrs. Keller, Walter G. Lindup, Mrs. Miles, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. 
Morrison, Rev. C. A. Rosser, Leveson Scarth, Richard Bowdler Sharpe, 
Mrs. Vincent, R. E. West, Wm. Whitley, Mrs. Whitley, and James 
Willcox. 
-The Weather. —Drizzling days with occasional rather heavy 
falls of rain and local thunder showers, have characterised the weather 
in the south for several days past. The temperature has fluctuated 
somewhat, but has generally been most favourable to growth, and a 
finer “ bedding out time ” could scarcely be desired. Reports of the 
setting of fruit blossoms vary, some being favourable, others the reverse. 
There has been, and is, an unusual expanse of foliage with the blossom, 
but there is some conflict of opinion as to whether this is favourable to 
the setting and swelling of fruit or not. Writing from Perthshire on 
the 13th inst., “ B. D.” observes :—“ Since the beginning of May there 
has been much rain, comparatively little sunshine, easterly winds, and 
a good deal of thunder. An alarming thunderstorm occurred in the 
afternoon of the 7th. The 10th was a day of continuous heavy rain, 
and Sunday, the 13th, one of the best days we have had. Complaints 
are rife of destruction by snails and birds in gardens. Roses are break¬ 
ing but slowly. The country is looking fresh and green.” 
- As we are preparing for press we are informed of a remarkable 
series of awards at the Melbourne Exhibition to Messrs. Sutton 
and Sons of Reading. These comprize five “First orders of merit” 
or highest awards for seeds, models of vegetables, and garden tools : for 
Sutton's new seed germinator, and reliable system of determining the 
growth of all kinds of seed ; for educational cabinet of natural Grasses 
and agricultural seeds, with special mention for originality and com¬ 
pleteness ; for Mr. Martin John Sutton’s book, “ Permanent and Tempo¬ 
rary Pastures,’’ and other agricultural and horticultural works; for 
Fodder and Ensilage Plants, with special mention of splendid examples 
of Tall Fescue, Sutton’s Giant Italian Rye Grass, Sorghum, Schroeder’s 
Brome Grass ; also for Flax, with honourable mention for Tobacco. 
Such signal success needs no comment, 
- Cuprolene ASA Weed Killer.—W e are requested to direct 
attention to the effectiveness of this preparation for the purpose indi¬ 
cated, and readily comply. The number of testimonials from persons 
who have used it sufficiently attest its value, and no more garden 
walks and carriage drives should be spoiled by the use of salt. It is 
advertised periodically in the Journal. When used as directed, it is 
said to kill all kinds of weeds to which it is applied, “ never to live 
again.” 
- Gardening Appointment. —Mr. Thos. Greenway, late fore¬ 
man at the Hon. F. Leveson Gower's, Holmbury, Dorking, has been 
appointed head gardener to Mrs. Clive, Perrystone Court, Ross, Here¬ 
fordshire. 
- Plants of Begonia manicata that have been flowering in 
the conservatory may be cut back at the present time, and placed in a 
vinery or similar structure until they commence growth, where 
the temperature ranges from 55° to GO 0 . Cuttings may be inserted 
singly in 3-inch pots in sandy soil, placing a little sand at the base of 
each cutting. They will strike freely in the temperature suited for the 
old plants. The best decorative p’ants are produced by throwing away 
the old plants and raising the stock annually from cuttings. 
- Another useful plant, Begonia hydrocotylifolia, has 
not yet ceased flowering in the conservatory, but the majority are past 
their best and may be subjected to the same treatment as B. manicata- 
For conservatory decoration B. hydrocotylifolia is the more showy of 
the two. Its pink flower stems and flowers are very conspicuous standing 
above other flowering plants.—B. 
- Wood Wool. —Under the above designation Mr. J. George 
of Putney sends us a sample of very fine wood shavings, which he 
thinks will be found superior to either wadding or dry moss for packing 
Peaches, Plums, and such like fruit. He describes it as being “ much 
lighter than either, also elastic, clean, durable, free from smell, and 
cheap, the cost being about one-third the price of wadding.” He has 
shown it to several fruit growers who have a high opinion of it. It is 
certainly very light, clean, and elastic, but is not odourless, though 
with the fruits wrapped in paper the “ wood wool ” might perhaps be 
a suitable medium for packing. 
- A Showy Bed. —In the pleasure grounds connected with The 
Elms, Frome, of which E. R. Trotman, Esq., is the proprietor, there has 
been a grand bed of Polyanthuses in full bloom for several weeks past. 
All were obtained from a single packet of seed sown in gentle heat in 
April, 1888, the seedlings being duly hardened off, pricked out in an 
open border, and transplanted to where they now are in succession to 
Asters. Being strong when finally planted, and given a rich loamy root 
run, they have grown and flowered surprising'y well, the bed, 12 feet 
across, being a mass of flowers. The strain is especially rich in rich 
yellow and lighter shades, and these contrast beautifully with the 
velvety crimson hues. All produce fine bold trusses, and basketfuls of 
flowers could be cut without being missed. 
- Proposed Testimonial to Mr. Arthur Blick. —We are 
requested to state that several gentlemen propose the present time as a 
fitting opportunity for the large body of nurserymen, gardeners, and 
others who have been in the habit of exhibiting at the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s shows for many years past, to make some little 
recognition of the services of Mr. Blick, who for the past twenty-eight 
years has been employed at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South 
Kensington, and who is now, owing to the collapse of those gardens, 
thrown out of a situation on the shady side of his life. The following 
gentlemen have kindly consented to form a Committee to carry out the 
above proposal—viz., Mr. W. Bull, King's Road, Chelsea ; Messrs. 
Carter & Co., High Holborn ; Messrs. W. Paul k. Son, Waltham Cross ; 
Mr. H. Turner, Slough ; Mr. John Wills, South Kensington ; Mr. F. 
Sander, St. Albans ; Mr. F. Q. Lane, Great Berkhampstead ; Mr. H. 
Herbst, Richmond ; Mr. H. Hawkins, Twickenham. The smallest sub¬ 
scription will be thankfully received by—Mr. J. Aldous, Florist, Glou¬ 
cester Road, S.W. (Hon. Treasurer), or Mr. S. M. Segar, Royal Exotic 
Nursery, South Kensington (Hon. Secretary). The subscriptions limited 
to one guinea. 
- The Cape of Good Hope yields us many useful greenhouse 
plants, and amongst them the members of the Rue family are fairly 
