March 27,] 
JOURXAL OF nORriCULrURE AND COTTAGE GARDEXER. 
£C3 
is not neglected either, for the more poetic part of gardening. Indeed 
the demand in these, particularly the latter department, seems to be as 
great as for flowers, and is as well supplied, judging from the vast and 
choice stocks that are always to be seen in the kitchen garden. Grapes, 
Peaches, Figs—“ the latter do well outdoors, and of which there are 
some fine specimens ”—have their share of attention, and, in common 
with other parts of his charge, testify to the untiring energy and ability 
of the unostentatious gardener, Mr. Ilhoderick, who is, by-the-by, a 
worthy pupil of Mr. David Thomson of Drumlanrig. —Bkadwen. 
The Value of Calantues. 
I WAS pleased to see, on page 200, Mr. Iggulden could speak so 
highly of the utility of the Calanthe flowers when cut ; and I can 
corroborate his assertion that Calanthes stand pre-eminent in many 
positions. One of the most effective displays I have seen was that 
in which C. Veitchi and C. vestita were freely employed in a group 
of miscellaneous plants at a Chrysanthemum show. But as I had 
promised to write a few lines on the cultivation of the Calanthe as 
practised here (before I saw Mr. Iggulden’s article), and as he 
speaks of a suspended shelf, I will begin with the supposition that 
the pots containing the pseudo-bulbs of C. Veitchi, C. vestita, 
C. lutea are now stored away high and dry on a suspended shelf, 
for in such a place they are always kept when at rest here, free 
from an accidental watering and in a temperature about (10°. 
Previous to potting I think it a good plan to start the pseudo-bulbs 
in the following way. After cleaning and trimming all the old 
roots off I set them in a box with about 1 inch of fine sifted leaves 
and sand, well mixed, spread evenly on the bottom of the box, 
arranging them according to size at the same time. The boxes are 
then placed back on the shelf in the stove for about two weeks, or 
until the young roots are 1 inch long ; then they are finally potted 
in .32 and 48-size pots, which we find quite large enough. Three 
of the largest pseudo-bulbs of C. vestita and four to five of the 
smaller are placed into a .S2-sized pot. The largest pseudo-bulbs of 
C. Veitchi we place into 48-size singly, that being a convenient size 
to drop in amongst Ferns and other foliage plants when in flower. 
The compost used is one-third each of good Orchid peat broken 
up with the hand, all fine particles being shaken out; one-third 
dried cow manure, fresh horse droppings as prepared for Mush¬ 
rooms, small charcoal, coarse silver sand, and leaves through a 
quarter-inch sieve. All these are well mixed together and warmed. 
The pots are well drained, but not excessively so. Just the same 
as a 48 or 32-pot would be drained for a Chrysanthemum, using the 
roughest part of the compost in the bottoms of the pots. Press 
the soil moderately firm with the hand, fill up to about 1 inch from 
the top, arrange the pseudo-bulbs that the young growths will have 
plpty of room, covering the young root with the fine part of the 
soil. The pseudo-bulbs are in no case raised above the rim of the 
pots, as I have seen them potted many times. With a gentle 
watering they are returned to head-quarters, the suspended shelf in 
the stove being carefully watered until the roots run freely, when 
they receive copious supplies of liquid manure prepared from fresh 
horse droppings and soot, w hich seems to give the desired result— 
viz., a grand display of flower spikes.—J. C. H. 
Seasonaele Treat.ment of Oncidiums. 
All Oncidiums that are growing with the Cattleyas may be 
top-dressed, except those that it is necessary to place into larcrer 
pots, pans, or baskets. These plants are less difficult to pot than 
Cattleyas, for their roots are not so easily destroyed. Many 
Oncidiums will flourish in the same basket for years provided they 
are top-dressed with moss and peat annually. When these plants 
are placed in baskets plenty of charcoal should be given them, and 
their roots will soon become attached to it; the compost used for 
them should be near the surface, so that it can be removed when 
decomposed. It is sometimes difficult to pick out the whole, but it 
can generally be washed out, and when this is done the baskets 
must be allowed to drain thoroughly before the new compost is 
applied. Those in pots or pans that need a larger size should have 
them most liberally drained, for these plants root most freely upon 
the surface. The majority do well in peat fibre and a little char¬ 
coal intermixed, with a good layer of moss on the surface. When 
repotting any plants decomposed soil should be removed and the 
roots washed clean in tepid water. If the material used for potting- 
is good, and too large shifts are not given, they will be in sweet 
condition in the space of two years, when they should requiro 
larger pots or pans. More water may now be given to the roots 
of those starting, white tho.se repotted must be watered very care¬ 
fully until they are growing and rooting freely. If these or any 
Orchids are overwatered after they have been repotted they are 
certain to suffer, but with care they will start freely and vigorously 
into growth. For the present make no attempt to grow the 
sphagnum on the surface of these plants ; they can be surfaced 
after they have commenced growing freely, and then the moss can 
be encouraged.—B. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
March 25th. 
As at the previous meeting in the Drill Hall, James Street, Westi- 
minster, the exhibits on Tuesday were both numerous and interesting in 
a more than ordinary degree. Nearly the whole of the available space 
was occupied. Hyacinths, Daffodils, spring flowers, Roses, Orchids, and 
Cinerarias forming the leading attractions in the floral department, the 
Fruit Committee’s business being necessarily more restricted, though 
several important features were provided. 
There was a large attendance of Fellows and visitors during the 
afternoon, when M. Henry de Vilmorin of Paris delivered an able lecture 
upon “ Salading,” briefly noted at the end of this report. The meeting 
altogether was highly satisfactory and creditable to the Society. 
Fruit Committee.— Present—Sir C. W. Strickland, B.9rt. (in the 
chair), with Mons. Henry de Vilmorin, Dr. Hogg, and Messrs. P. Crowley, 
R. D. Blackmore, Harrison Weir, J. Cheal, C. Ross, G. W. Cummins, Jl 
Smith, J. Willard, W. Warren, H. J. Pearson, G. Wythes. J. Hudson, 
F. Q. Lane, G. Bunyard, A. W. Sutton, A. Watkins, and J. Wright. 
Mr. Lockie sent fruits of Lockie’s Perfection Cucumber, a short- 
necked good variety, for which a vote of th.anks was recorded. Mr. .1. 
Smith, Mentmce, was accorded a similar mark of approval for a brace 
of Cucumbers in excellent condition. Mr. F. Q. Lane sent samples of 
different forms of Watercress, showing slight variations in colour and 
form of leaf. They were from cultivated beds in Hertfordshire, and ih 
was stated that the varieties did not thrive equally well in the same 
part of the stream. Mr. Willard remarked that the Brown Cress turned' 
green when grown at Highgate, and Mr. Wright said Watercress was 
very delicate and tender grown from seed or cuttings in rich moist soil 
in frames in early .=pring. Mr. W. 0. Leach, Albury Park Gardens, sent 
several heads of Veitch’s Standard Bearer Celery, as a good late variety 
continuing in use till May. The Celery was clear, firm, crisp, and of. 
good quality. A vote of thanks was accorded. 
Mr. J. Simms, gardener to W. Eastwood, Esq., Kingswood, Engle- 
field Green, sent very fine and well coloured fruits of La Grosse Sucree 
Strawberry, for which a cultural commendation was unanimousjy 
granted. Mr. W. Roupell sent a small collection of Apples grown 
within five miles of Charing Cross. Annie Elizabeth was particularly 
firm and fine ; Striped Beefing also very fine ; the Melon Apple and 
Bismarck having lost their freshness. The two Apples first mentioned 
must be regarded as among the best of late keeping varieties, and such 
samples as those in question would sell readily at good prices at this 
period of the year, excelling as they did the best of the American pro¬ 
duce now in the market. Mr. W. Lewis, South Lea.son9, Malvern, sent 
a dish of a seedling Apple, medium sized, Pearmain shaped, recom¬ 
mended by the e.xhibitor for late eating and cooking. It was not con¬ 
sidered quite good enough for dessert nor large enough for culinary 
purposes, hence no award was made. Mr. C. Ross, Welford, sent a 
seedling Apple of unknown parentage named Armorel, small, flattish 
fruit, firm and sweet. An award of merit was recommended, furthtr. 
experience being required to justify the award of a first class certificate.. 
Mr. C. Lye sent a seedling Apple which was passed, as also was Ashford 
Seedling, that w’as before the Committee on a former occasion. 
A collection of salads was sent by Mr. James Webber, including 
excellent Lettuces, Endive, Radishes, Chicory, Witloof, Cucumber.s, 
Beet and different varieties of Cress, for which a vote of thanks was 
unanimou.sly granted. 
Floral Committee. —Present: W. Marshall, Esq., in the chair, 
and Messrs. R. Dean, A. Truffaut, G. Paul, H. Herbst, B. Wynne, T, 
Baines, C. T. Druery, C. Jefferies, J. Walker, F. Ross, Harry Turner, 
W. C. Leach, R. B. Lowe, J. Fraser, H. Cannell, W. Holmes, Lewis 
Castle, an 1 the Rev. H. 11. Dombrain. 
The most extensive and handsome group of plants came from Messrs. 
B. S. Williams &; Son, Upper Holloway, for which the Committee unani¬ 
mously recommended a silver-gilt medal. The chief feature in this 
was formed by about a hundred even and admirable Hyacinths of the 
best varieties, and bearing massive spikes of varied colours. Clivia», 
another of the Holloway specialties, were equaliy fine, their bold rich 
green leaves and great trusses of flowers having a striking effect, suoli 
varieties as Baron Schriider, Martha Reimers, cruenta, and Meteor 
being conspicuous. Guelder Roses and dwarf Lilacs in pots were very 
notable for their compact habit and large numbers of flower trusses. 
Lilies of the Valley were well represented, as also was the fragrant 
Boronia megastigma. The whole of one side of a table extending the 
length of the Hall was devoted to this group, and even then room could 
not be found for all the plants. 
