February 17, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
139 
by substituting decayed manure for tbe peat. I fear that this useful 
plant is not cultivated so extensively as its merits deserve, and hence I 
ask the insertion of these notes.—A Conseevatoby Fobeman. 
REVIEW OF BOOK. 
A Manual of Orchidaceous Plants Cultivated under Glass in Great 
Britain. Part I: Odontoglossum,. By James Veitch Sc Sons, 
Royal Exotic Nursery, 544, King’s Road, Chelsea, S.W. 1887. 
Consideeable interest was excited by the announcement, some time 
since, that Messrs. Veitch & Sons had a work on Orchids in preparation, 
and its appearance has been eagerly awaited by numbers of growers. 
The name of the firm has been so long identified with Orchids, they 
have been the means of introducing so many to commerce, either by 
importation from abroad or by raising hybrids at home, that it was 
confidently expected a work from such a source would possess far more 
than ordinary value. Judging from the first part now before us these 
expectations will be fully realised, and the work will take a high position 
amongst Orchid literature. The form adopted is quite distinct from any 
similar work previously issued, an admirable monographical method 
being followed, useful alike for general reading and special reference. 
The first part is devoted to the genus Odontoglossum, and it is announced 
that this will be followed by Cattleya and Laslia, Dendrobium, Cypri- 
pedium, &c., and it can be imagined that, as eighty pages are occupied 
with the comparatively small genus Odontoglossum, it will form some 
substantial volumes before it is completed—-that is, if it is intended to 
treat all the genera in the same way. 
In selecting the Odontoglossums as an introduction to their work, 
Messrs. Veitch & Sons have acted boldly, and have also performed a most 
useful service. Probably no genus has hitherto furnished such a complex 
and unsatisfactory system of nomenclature as this. The recognised 
well-marked species are mostly extremely variable ; in many cases all 
lines of demarcation between species have been broken down by inter¬ 
crossing in a state of nature, and scores of forms are being continually 
introduced that puzzle both botanists and horticulturists as to their 
correct position. As a result, several have been assigned the rank of 
species, which further examination and the introduction of other inter¬ 
mediate forms have proved to be unreliable. Again, almost every slight 
variation has been dignified with a name of some kind, until a deplorable 
confusion has been created that the best directed efforts can now only 
partially remove. The authors of the Manual now under notice have, 
however, taken a decided step towards the rectification of the nomen¬ 
clature, which, if consistently followed, will certainly simplify the 
matter. The principle adopted is to assign all natural hybrid or cross¬ 
bred forms to the species which they most nearly resemble, the deter¬ 
mination of which could only result from an extended experience and 
close observation of the various types. Then, again, in placing these 
under their respective species, the rank of variety has been confined to 
those which exhibit some definite characters other than those of only 
size and colour, the last-named being denominated sub-varieties, and 
including the majority of those which are so frequently appearing in 
collections, generally to receive the names of their respective owners. 
In regard to the sub-varieties, in some cases the ordinary botanical 
names are retained, but with others, like Odontoglossum Pescatorei 
Veitchianum, the form of name has been altered to 0. Pescatorei, 
Veitch’s variety. Where they are so distinct as this, and have, more¬ 
over, been both figured and described under the title, we doubt if this 
innovation is a wise one, for it gives an awkward form to a name that 
was otherwise quite consistent. With this exception, we consider the 
system of nomenclature adopted one that can be highly commended, 
and which might be advantageously generally adopted. 
The book is uniform in size of page with the “ Manual of the Coni¬ 
fer®,” from the same firm, and is illustrated with thirty-eight woodcut 
illustrations, some occupying the full page, showing the habit of the 
plants, as in the frontispiece representing Baron Schroder’s plant of 
“ Odontoglossum Pescatorei, Veitch’s variety,” others giving the single 
flowers of natural size with a profile view of the column and lip. Two 
excellent maps are also given showing the geographical distribution of 
the species in both North and South America, the names of the species 
being printed in the regions where they are most abundant, the extremes 
being O. maxillare in Mexico, about lat. 20° N., to 0. compactum in 
Peru, in about lat. 13° S. 
The introductory chapters deal with the generic characters, which 
are described very fully, and the geographical distribution including many 
interesting facts as to localities, climate, &c. A short concise chapter is 
devoted to culture, and then the description of species and varieties is 
commenced on page 13, taking them in alphabetical order. A condensed 
botanical description (in English) is given of each species, with refer¬ 
ences to the principal works where they have been described or figured, 
either under their accepted name or synonyms. This is useful, but from a 
printer’s mistake probably, the first reference given is incorrect, the figure 
of 0. bictonense appearing in the “Botanical Register” in 1840—not 
1846 as there stated. The botanical authorities for the names is not 
given immediately after the names, as is usual in such works, but is 
placed first' in the references following the description. With each 
species the varieties and sub-varieties are named, references also being 
given to works where they are specially noted. Much interesting 
historical and cultural information is furnished with the descriptions. 
The index gives both accepted names and synonyms, the latter in italics, 
but a word of explanation was needed respecting this, as the excluded 
species, 0. Phahenopsis, 0. vexillarium, See., which are now referred to 
Miltonia, are given in the ordinary Roman type. The work is well 
printed in bold clear type, on substantial slightly toned paper, and con¬ 
siderable care has evidently been exercised in its production to render 
it accurate, reliable, and exhaustive. 
SEASONABLE HINTS ON FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
The worst of the winter is, we hope, over, and the lengthening days 
remind us of work to be done in all departments of the gardens, and 
this month especially is a busy one with florists. Collections have to be 
overhauled, repotting done, and many, what some people would call 
“ fiddling,” operations to be carried out, but these little attentions are 
very essential to the well-being of our favourites. 
Aubiculas. —Among the many changes which have taken place in 
the cultivation of the Auricula there has been none more radical than 
that of spring top-dressing. It used to be considered as one of the most 
necessary operations for successful cultivation, that at this season the 
soil should be removed with a blunt stick to the depth of an inch or 
more, and fresh compost supplied. It was supposed that this was 
absolutely necessary to give strength to the plants, as it was argued that 
the grist of the soil had been washed out by watering since they were 
potted—a period of eight or nine months. There is some reason in this, 
but when we find growers like Mr. Horner and Mr. Douglas saying it is 
unnecessary, one cannot say that we must do it. I did not top-dress last 
year, and I do not think that the plants suffered ; but I am hesitating 
about it this season, and shall probably try some both ways. When it is 
done care must be taken not to disturb the roots, and the compost used 
should not be too rich—say two parts loam and one part well decayed 
manure. The pots should not be filled too much, as then water is apt 
to run over the edges without entering the soil. Where top-dressing is 
not done the collection should be carefully gone over, the soil stirred, 
and care taken that there is no space between the soil and sides of the 
pot ; otherwise watering will be a useless operation, as the water, 
instead of entering the ball of soil, will run down the sides. Small 
offsets which were taken off last summer may now be potted in small 
pots, and so their size will be increased before the potting time comes 
round, as I have found in former years a cold winter such as we have 
had is by no means so injurious as a moist damp one. 
Caenations and Picotees. —It will be too early to do anything 
with these except where they are grown in beds. These should be 
examined and the plants firmly pressed into the soil, and small sticks had 
better be put to them, unless this has already been done. Those in pots 
should be looked over and any decayed leaves pulled off, and the soil of 
the pot stirred up. Many have been troubled with the Carnation 
maggot. I am glad to say that I have not seen it amongst my small lot. 
Compost should be turned over, and if there is any danger of wireworm 
being in it should be carefully hand-picked, as one of these will quickly 
destroy a plant, and as they are very fond of fresh turves, which forms 
the best ingredient for compost, a good search will generally be re¬ 
warded by “ a find.” 
Pinks. —The beds on which these have been grown should be care¬ 
fully gone over when the weather is dry enough for the operation, and 
the plants, which have probably been a good deal loosened by frost, 
should be firmly pressed into the soil, and the surface of the bed 
generally stirred up. It is remarkable how very little this sweet and 
pretty flower is now cultivated in the south of England, but it is very rare 
to find any collection now, in or around the Metropolis or the south 
generally. The complaint of want of variety in them has no doubt 
something to say to it, but one cannot forget that those two old and 
thorough florists of the past, John Keynes and Charles Turner, won their 
spurs as exhibitors of Pinks. 
Pansies. —This has been a trying winter for these where they have 
been grown in beds. The snow, frost, and wind have been alike hurtful to 
them, and many gaps will be found, and many cripples, I fear, amongst 
the survivors. They will now require to be carefully gone over, pressed 
firmly into the soil, and when the weather is dry the beds ought to be 
top-dressed with well decayed manure and leaf mould. 
Gladiolus.— It will be too early to do anything with these, 
although I generally begin to plant mine early in March. It has been 
a good winter for mellowing the soil, and the beds ought to be in a good 
condition for planting. Collections should be examined, and if varieties 
are required no time should be lost in procuring them. I may here say 
that the most remarkable corms I have ever seen are some which were 
grown by Mr. Burrell of Cambridge. They averaged most of them from 
10 to 12 inches in circumference, and were exceedingly healthy, having 
that silvery coated appearance so characteristic of the French corms. I 
have never in my thirty-years experience of Gladiolus growing seen 
such corms, showing not merely good cultivation but also how favourable 
the soil and climate of Cambridge are for their culture. 
Ranunculus. —The season so far has been especially favourable for 
the beds which had been prepared for these pretty flowers. There has 
been abundance of moisture and sufficient frost to thoroughly sweeten 
the soil, and now the weather is dry, so that the soil is in a thoroughly 
good condition for planting, which should be done at the fust favourable 
opportunity. The rows should be about 5 inches apart, and the roots, 
about the same distance in the rows ; they should not be more than 
about 1{ inch in depth, and the tubers should be pressed firmly into the 
ground, so that they may not easily be thrown out by worms. There 
can be no second opinion, I think, as to the beauty of these old fashioned 
