December 13,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
535 
more rational methods, with its rods well clothed with bark, 
having every appearance of promise. 
I always like to see Yine rods with abundance of bark on them, 
they seem to indicate there is something good to follow. Nature 
never provided bark to be peeled off annually, she placed it there 
for a purpose, that purpose being to protect the internal tissues, 
and the vital functions they perform. Even if I had to take 
charge of Vines infested with mealy bug I should be very reluctant 
to strip them much. I think several thorough washings with some 
approved insecticide, painting them afterwards (in such a bad case) 
would be my method, that is if the Vines were in good condition 
otherwise. Then I should keep a particularly sharp look out as 
soon as heat was applied the following season. That is the period 
to stamp mealy bug out of Vines. 
In my own practice the cleaning of Vines is entrusted only to 
my most experienced men. I never peel or scrape 
them, but only cut off the bark that is actually hanging 
loose, the spurs being carefully rubbed round with the 
hand. They are then washed with a solution of soapy 
water sufficient to create a lather, a partly worn spoke 
brush being handy for cleaning about the spurs. If 
they have been infested with more red spider than 
desirable repeat the washing as hitherto done. As 
each rod is finished it is syringed over with clean 
water. After this operation, as soon as the rods are 
dry enough, all holes are stopped with Gishurst com¬ 
pound. This is all that is done to them ; they are 
then finished, and ready for tying up. I never find 
it necessary to dress them in any other way. Painting 
Vine rods, except in very bad cases, I do not consider 
to be of any utility. It closes up the pores of the 
bark, which is detrimental, not to speak of the time 
taken in preparing and applying the mixture. It is 
not elaborate dressings at winter time that prevent the 
spread of insect pests so much, it is looking sharp 
after them immediately they make their appearance 
in the spring, and keeping them under. Of course, 
all other matters connected with the cleaning of the 
Vines must be thoroughly attended to. 
I may remark that when catting back young Vines 
it is a good plan to leave an additional foot of stem 
beyond that actually required, so that the young 
shoots from the succeeding year’s growth can be 
trained along it as soon as practicable. This method 
will ensure a fine straight rod from the base upwards. 
Young canes often break awkwardly, and it is difficult 
to train the young shoots straight, they having a tendency to 
curl away from the main stem.—J. J. Graven. 
Cypripedium Meteor. 
When this fine Cypripedium (fig. 84) was exhibited under the 
varietal name of “Meteor ” by Mons. Jules Hye at the Drill Hall, 
Westminster, in September last, a first-class certificate was awarded 
for it by the Orchid Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
It was described as being the result of a cross between C. bellatulum 
Marise and C. barbatum grandiflorum, and is a decided acquisition. 
The petals are very broad, and dull rosy red spotted dark brown, 
with hirsute edges. The upper sepal is of the same shade as the 
petals, and is margined white, while the pouch is reddish purple. 
Mr. R. I. Measures’ Cypripediums. 
Mr. R. I. Measures, Cambridge Lodge, Flodden Road, 
Camberwell, S.E., is, as most persons interested in Orchids know, the 
possessor of one of the most complete collections of Cypripediums 
in the world. He published a list of them a few years ago, which 
passed through two editions. A third issue is now ready for 
distribution, in the form of an extremely neat leather-bound gold- 
lettered brochure which can be carried in the waistcoat pocket. 
Yet the “ wee bookie ” contains a list of all the species and their 
native countries, as well as most of the hybrid varieties, with their 
parentage and raisers, up to date. They are arranged alphabetically, 
under every initial letter except “ Q ” and “ U,” no less than 
850 names being recorded with admirable clearness. The compilation 
has been no light task, yet Mr. Measures has no desire to profit 
by it, but, on the contrary, would prefer to lose a little on the sale 
of each copy, provided the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society 
and the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund may gain ; therefore this 
valuable list is sold for Ss. 6d., 2s. of this amount going to 
those charities. Copies are obtainable from Mr. H. J. Chapman 
(Mr. Measures’ gardener), at the above address. We hope the 
edition will soon be sold out. 
LiELIA ANCEPS. 
At this season a good supply of this Orchid alone in its many 
varieties is sufficient to make a fine display. It is one of those 
species we never seem to have too many plants, and of which we 
never tire. The ordinary varieties are cheap enough to be within 
the reach of all who aspire to a glass house, and if newly imported 
FIG. 84.—CYPRIPEDIUM METEOR. 
plants are procured it is very interesting to note the characteristics 
and beauties of the varying types as they flower. 
The cultivation of L. anceps is of the simplest description. The 
ordinary compost consisting of equal parts of peat and sphagnum 
will suit it. In potting the plants the leads should be kept as near 
the centre as possible, and elevated a little above the rims of the pots, 
which must be clean and well drained. As regards temperature it 
is a very accommodating plant, but thrives best in a little less heat 
than Cattleyas usually require ; it should have a light position not 
far from the roof glass. A copious supply of moisture is needed 
while making its growth, and the plants must be kept free of 
insects, especially aphides, which are often troublesome when the 
spikes are forming. 
The flowers last about three weeks in perfection, and in the 
type are about 3 inches across. The sepals and petals are warm 
rosy lilac, the lip deep purple in front, the side lobes creamy white 
veined with bright red. L. anceps alba, L. a. Stella, L. a. Amesiana, 
and L. a. Dawsoni are superb white varieties, the latter the best of 
all. This splendid variety originated in the once famous collection 
at Meadow Bank, Glasgow, more than a quarter of a century ago. 
Its distinguishing characteristics are great substance and width in 
the petals, size, and purity of colour being in these respects superior 
to any other. L. a. delicata produces six to eight flowers on a 
scape, is much lighter in colour than the type, and altogether a 
charming kind. L. a. Barkeriana is a splendid variety, very dark 
and rich in colour, and very scarce. L. a. Scottiana and L. a. 
grandiflora are all strong growing, deeply coloured forms. 
L. a. Warneri is a light variety, flowering usually much later than 
any other. 
These do not by any means exhaust the list of varieties, as 
upwards of thirty said to be distinct have been described. The 
white varieties are not usually so free-flowering as the darker 
coloured forms, although many cultivators now succeed in bloommg 
them annually. Abundance of sunlight and air are needed for 
these beautiful kinds, with a little more heat than the type, and if 
given these, and otherwise carefully grown, established plants will 
seldom fail to flower freely.—H. R. R. 
