416 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 26, 1887. 
in the nursery. Very notable are the handsome C. Schroederse, 
selligerum majus, ciliolare, barbatum Warneri, Lawrencianum caudatum, 
Morganine, grande, Veitchi, Druryi, Hooker®, superciliare, Stonei, and 
Schlimi album, some of which are represented by large specimens, and 
all by healthy vigorous plants flowering freely. Other houses in the 
same range contain Dendrobiums in variety, the gold and white 
D. thyrsiflorum being very handsome, bearing long racemes of large 
flowers. The white and orange D. Jamesianum, the delicately elegant 
L). Devonianum, the rich yellow 1). clirysotoxum, the distinct and pretty 
D. tortile, and the old useful favourite D. nobile are all in excellent con¬ 
dition, but the last named has been remarkably beautiful, large bush¬ 
like plants having masses of flowers, the varieties some of the best we 
have seen, suggestive in the richness of colouring of the celebrated 
D. nobile nobilius. Following this are the houses appropriated to 
Aerides, Vandas, Coelogynes, &c., one specimen of A. expansum Leonias 
being of a very remarkable character, a huge vigorous plant scrambling 
naturally over an old tree stump, and bearing twenty-four spikes of 
thirty to forty flowers each. This fine Orchid is not very generally 
known in gardens, its relative A. falcatum or Larpentfe being more 
frequently seen, but the species itself is very handsome, while the 
variety which first flowered in an Italiau collection is superior to many 
of the family usually cultivated, the flowers being large and of a delicate 
ro;y blush tint. Aerides curvifolium is also in good condition, together 
with Vanda Parishi Marriottiana, Coelogynes Massangeana, tomentosa, 
and Dayana with their long drooping spikes, Trichopilias, Phalaenopsis 
grandiflora, Odontoglossum vexillarium and Roezli, the floriferous 
white Aerantlius Leonis, the large-leaved Dendrochilum latifolium, the 
wax-like beautiful Epidendrum bicornutum, and the white Cypripedium 
niveum render the houses very attractive. Lycastes, Phalaenopses, 
Calanthes, and other important genera of Orchids are represented by 
houses of excellent plants. 
A profusion of flowers has rendered the cool house gay for some 
months, and almost every week there appears to be an increase in the 
number of attractions. Odontoglossum crispum in many varieties re¬ 
markable for their beautiful shape, broad petals and sepals, either pure 
white or heavily spotted ; 0. Pcscatorei, similarly varying from the 
superbly spotted 0. Pescatorei Veitchi, which was a representative 
recently in the collection, to the pure white forms ; O. gloriosum, 
O. cirrhosum, O. luteo-purpureum, 0. Cervantesi decorum, 0. Rossi 
majus, 0. Halli, O. constrictum, with many others, are flowering 
strongly, while with them are associated numerous plants of Oncidium 
Marshallianum, the clear yellow Oncidium concolor, and the bright 
orange-red Epidendrum vitellinum majus is employed with good effect. 
Very notable for its distinct colour is Odontoglossum Edwardi, which 
has now been in flower for two or three months, and has attracted much 
attention. Of this Orchid, which is destined to become very popular, 
nrs. J. Veitch have an uncommonly fine variety (fig. 72. page 415), 
,/.,h flowers much larger than in the ordinary type, and of a rich 
purplish lilac hue, contrasting capitally with the white forms of 0. 
crispum. The flowers are borne in very large panicles, last a surprising 
time in perfect condition, and are agreeably fragrant. 
In one of the houses devoted to seedling Orchids a most interesting 
hybrid Phakenopsis flowered last week, showing in a remarkable manner 
the characters of both parents. It was obtained from a cross between 
P. grandiflora and P. violacea, the former being the seed parent, and 
the seed was sown in January, 1882, this season being the first in which 
it has flowered. The leaves are plain green, much resembling P. gran¬ 
diflora, while the flower is more like an enlarged P. violacea, and it 
might be not inappropriately termed P. violacea grandiflora. The 
flower is nearly 3 inches in diameter, the petals about three-quarter-inch 
across, ovate, pale creamy white, stained with purple at the base, the 
sepals being similar in colour and size, but rather more acute in form. 
The tip has relatively large purplish-crimson wings, and a prolonged 
acute centre of a purple hue. It is a neat and attractive flower, and 
or.e of the most interesting of the few hybrid Phalasnopses yet ob¬ 
tained. 
In other houses there are hosts of flowering plants, including all the 
usual greenhouse and conservatory plants. Antliurium Schertzerianum 
is wonderfully tine, as also are the Gloxinias, while Ferns, Nepenthes, 
and miscellaneous fine-foliage plants are in their customary vigorous 
health. 
OPHRYS PR0VINCIALI3. 
Hardy Orchids, with the exception of one or two Cypripediums and 
Orchises, do not receive much attention in gardens, chiefly perhaps 
because they are rather difficult to grow satisfactorily, but there are 
several that might well be included in collections of hardy plants. One 
that was sent to me from France under the name of Ophrys provincialis 
is now flowering beautifully in a sheltered position, its clear yellow 
flowers being very pretty, and forming a compact spike 3 or 4 inches 
long. This ought to be more generally known, but I am not quite sure 
if the name is a correct one, as I have not been able to trace it. In 
Godron’s “ Flore de France,” a species is described under the name of 
Ophrys lutea from the south of France, which seems to correspond in 
some points with that I have as O. provincialis. Perhaps some of your 
readers may be able to clear up this matter for me. I see that 0. lutea 
is included in some of the trade lists, but I have never seen the plant 
itself unless mine be that.—H. H. M. 
MR. G. F. WILSON’S ORCHIDS. 
Visitors to Heatherbank, Weybridge, or to the meetings of the 
Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, have occasionally seen 
some of the Orchids which Mr. G. F. Wilson grows so well. The flower 
or plants shown have always been remarkable for their vigorous health, 
and like the hardy plant treasures at Heatherbank they seem to find the 
atmospheric or other conditions very satisfactory. It is now announced 
that owing to the large and increasing collections of hardy plants occu- 
pvingso much of his attention, Mr. Wilson has offered his Orchids for 
sale at Stevens’ Rooms, the date fixed being June 2nd, instead of May 
25th as stated last week. 
CULTURE OF DENDROBIUMS. 
I find that Doridrobes grow well on cork and suspended from the 
roof. I will describe how I do it. First find a piece of cork a suitable 
size, place it into boiling water to kill all woodlice or other vermin, then 
find two other pieces of thin cork, which are also placed into the hot 
water. There is a kind of moss that grows on the north side of tiled 
houses which I find superior to ordinary sphagnum. Place several 
pieces of this moss on the face of the cork, the Dendrobe on this moss, 
and apply the two thin pieces of cork on each side of the moss, fasten¬ 
ing the whole by passing a ligature of copper wire round, and secure the 
Dendrobium with the wire. The moss starts growing when moistened, 
and retains the moisture well. I never water my plants thus treated 
above three times a week in the hot weather when the plants are making 
their growth, and when they arc at rest only once a week—if., in the 
winter. Most of the Dendrobiums do well under this treatment. 
Another plan I find beneficial with the Dendrobiums that have small 
fibry roots, such as Dendrobium pulchellum and those with drooping 
pseudo-bulbs. I simply fasten these on to a piece of old cocoa-nut fibre 
mat, the piece of matting being fastened to a piece of cork as before, 
but without the side pieces of cork. Some of the Oncidiums do well 
under this treatment. If any readers will try my plan with some of 
the Dendrobiums they find difficult to grow I think they will be pleased 
with the results. Dendrobium heterocarpum, a plant that some cannot 
grow for long, succeeds well on the cocoa-nut mat (an old door mat I 
use). Vandas, Saccolabiums, Aerides, all grow and flower well with my 
moss-and-cork treatment. Another grand thing in my mode of treat¬ 
ment is that they do not want continual syringing. I immerse the plants 
in the tank, if not in bloom.— Spero, Daventnj. 
HORTICULTURAL SHOWS. 
The following are the principal Shows to be held in June of which 
we have received particulars, and we shall be glad to have 
schedules of any Societies not included. Mr. E. Mawley has promised 
us a revised list of Rose Shows, that will shortly be published. 
June 9th. South Essex, Leytonstone. 
June 14th. Royal Horticultural Society. Committee Meeting. 
June 15th. Royal Botanic Society, Regent’s Park. Second Summer 
Show. 
June 21st to 24th. Leeds. 
June 23rd and 24th. Bury St. Edmunds. 
June 28th. Royal Horticultural Society. Committee Meeting. 
June 29th. Richmond and Croydon. 
June 30th. East Gloucestershire (Roses). 
WORSLEY HALL GARDENS. 
While at Manchester some time since I visited these famous gardens, 
and saw much to admire. Worsley is only a few miles from Manchester. 
The Hall is a large handsome building in the ornamental Gothic style, 
its terraces and the beautiful design of the flower beds will always be 
kept in memory as forming one of the finest flower gardens in the 
country. Near the terrace gardens there is a large ornamental piece of 
water which is crowded with waterfowl, its banks planted with shrubs 
forming a pleasing picture. From the above point of view can be 
seen the famous Chat Moss, which is about 100 feet deep, and used to 
be at one time a mass of living sphagnum, but Mr. Upjohn tells me it is 
now almost dead, which he attributes to the smoke and fumes of 
Manchester. Passing from the Hall we noticed a great number of 
Rhododendrons which thrive in every conceivable position, being one of 
the few shrubs that will grow at Worsley. The Ash also flourishes, and 
also does the Oak, as may be judged from the growth of a young Oak 
which was planted by the Princess Royal during a visit she paid to 
Worsley. The kitchen garden contains the fruit houses, which are the 
chief attraction, for here we sec the results of Mr. Upjohn’s skill and 
energy in their best forms. Before entering the long range of vineries and 
Peach house we passed through a useful plant house, where Crotons and 
Dracaenas were remarkable for luxuriant growth, and were to be used 
as table plants. A stove near this is used for Pine suckers, and the prin¬ 
cipal varieties grown are Queens, Charlotte Rothschild, Smooth Cayenne, 
and Black Jamaica. The suckers were plunged in charcoal refuse, 
which has also been found useful for striking cuttings in. After admir¬ 
ing the healthy appearance of Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Straw¬ 
berries we passed to the Fig house, which was filled with large trees ot 
Osborne’s Prolific, Negro Largo, Brown Turkey, and Ischia Figs, giving 
every appearance of bearing a heavy crop. The early vinery is a hip- 
roofed structure, and although the Vines were very old they had broken 
very strongly indeed, and were showing some remarkably fine bunches. 
The next house is planted with Muscats and Madresfield Court Vines, 
and although these Vines were young they had ripened remarkably fine 
wood. The range of fruit houses Is over 300 feet in length. In the 
early Peach house was a remarkably fine crop of fruit. The names 
