December 27,1894. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
579 
damp atmosphere, and is indeed often worse in frames, where the 
atmosphere is close and humid, than outdoors, even though there 
far more subject to excessive rainfalls. It is very doubtful whether 
when gardens are low lying, and the soil stiff and retentive, con¬ 
ditions always inimical to Carnations in the winter, it is not better 
to keep the young plants from layers in pots and near the glass in 
a cool greenhouse, where plenty of air can be given, then to plant 
them out in the autumn even under the most favourable conditions 
of site and soil, with open breezy surroundings. Carnations cannot 
escape from the frequent rains and mists that always prevail during 
a mild winter. Frosts, if dry, are far less harmful to the plants 
than continuous moisture. 
The Carnation is naturally alpine in its constitution, and 
prefers a fairly porous soil, a slightly elevated position, and plenty 
of air. One of the best wintered lot of plants I ever saw was some 
two years since in a nursery at Winchester. There were several 
hundreds of previous season’s layers in 48’s standing along on one 
side of a cart road running north and south, and very high, so that 
intensely cold winds must have swept over them. The sorts were 
of the best border forms, all strong, sturdy, and as good as could 
be desired. That was at the close of a severe winter. Probably 
many persons would have thought such rough exposure would have 
killed the plants, but so far from that being the case they could 
hardly have looked better. 
However, the chief matter for consideration is that the fungus 
may soon become very prevalent, even if it be not already so, and 
absence of sunshine and so much rain has made the leafage 
somewhat soft and sappy, hence it is more than usual likely to fall 
a prey to the fungus. What is to be done to check the pest, for if 
not checked these plants will be destroyed wholesale ? Has any 
remedy been found ? Soot and sulphur dustings have been tried, 
but these soon wash off, and are also very offensive in appearance. 
Has anyone tried the Bordeaux mixture of sulphate of copper and 
lime ? This compound seems to be the most efficacious of all anti- 
fungoid materials, and if mixed with treacle, Gishurst compound, 
or softsoap, should be fairly adhesive, even daring the winter. 
Such a mixture, if occasionally given to Carnations, might not only 
check the fungus, but also that other dread pest, the maggot. It 
is so often the case that both these troubles to Carnations are 
found operating, and nothing is done to provide a remedy. If even 
such a compound as hellebore powder be destructive to cater¬ 
pillars, why not also to the Carnation maggot ? In any case the 
copper and lime mixture should be tested for both of these pests. 
—A. D. 
SNOWDROPS. 
It is a moot question whether the Snowdrops which bloom in 
late autumn or early winter should be called early or late flowering 
species. As forerunners of the ordinary Galanthus nivalis they 
are, I think, entitled to be called early bloomers. This year they 
are unusually late, and the disappointment of those who admire 
the chaste Snowdrop is correspondingly great. 
The first with me this year is one of a few bulbs which I 
received for G. montanus, but which appears to be related to 
G. corcyrensis or octobrensis. This drooped its flower on Novem¬ 
ber 23rd, and is considerably in advance of all others in my garden, 
although some of these are showing their flowers through the 
spathe. I have several varieties or so-called species under various 
names, and have come to the conclusion that there are too many 
names, so little is the difference in flower or leaf. These kinds do 
well in my garden without lifting and drying as has been recom¬ 
mended by some whose soil is not so congenial to their welfare. 
The wet season we had may have delayed their flowering, but it 
does not appear to have injured the bulbs, although I think I have 
lost a very weakly root of G. Rachel®. The white line down the 
centre of the leaf, which is a distinguishing feature of nearly all 
these early kinds, is very marked and, in my eyes, is also orna¬ 
mental. 
Among those which will shortly be in flower are G. Els®, 
G. octobrensis (?) from Albania, and G. corcyrensis. These will be 
closely followed by G. Elwesii from Bithynia, the newly imported 
bulbs flowering earlier than those established for a year or two. 
Several others, including some of the varieties of G. nivalis, are 
through the soil, so that if we have mild weather there is every 
appearance of an early blooming season of the bulk of the Snow¬ 
drops. There are not many novelties among those offered for sale 
this year, buc we shall be able to form a better estimate of the 
value of some of Mr. Whittall’s introductions of last year. The 
re discovered G. Olg® Regin® has made its appearance through the 
soil, but I fear will not flower with me this season, although the 
price paid for my solitary bulb should have secured one of a 
flowering size.— S. Arnott. 
SCHOMBURGHKIA SaNDERIANA. 
Like other Schomburghkias the above-mentioned species is not 
often seen in cultivation, although when properly managed a few 
plants usually form quite a feature in a collection of Orchids.. 
S. Sanderiana (fig. 98) was introduced a few years ago, and 
probably has not yet found its way into many gardens. The 
flower is about 3 inches in diameter, the sepals lanceolate, half an 
inch apart at the widest part, Ij inch long, and pale rosy purple. 
The petals are broader and less tapering, the same length as the 
sepals, but deeper in colour. The lip is 1^ inch long, the centre 
lobe rounded, an inch across, and slightly cut at the margin, rich 
crimson-purple, like the lateral lobes, which are folded over the 
column, and the white blotch in the throat brings the colour into 
bold relief. In general appearance the lip is suggestive of a small 
Sobralia. 
The plant produces hollow pseudo-bulbs like its relative, the 
“ Cow Horn Orchid,” as S. tibicinis is sometimes termed, and it is 
supposed that these cavities are utilised for a similar purpose by 
the ants of the districts in tropical South America, where the plants 
are found. The flowers are produced in short racemes of four or 
five each ; but it is said to be very free, and its colour renders it a 
favourite where grown. 
Masdevallia tovarensis. 
Like all the other members of the genus, the flowers of this 
Orchid are more remarkable for their quaint appearance than for 
size or showiness. Being such a pure white, they are, however, 
always useful, and the fact of their lasting so well when cut is 
an additional recommendation. It is, moreover, one of the freest 
blooming Orchids in existence, small plants in 3-inch pots producing 
as many as a dozen spikes, these almost hiding the foliage. The 
cultivation of this species is quite simple, and as it thrives in a cool 
house may be cultivated by all. It should be grown in pots in a 
compost consisting of the best fibry peat and clean sphagnum in 
equal proportions with small crocks freely intermixed. The tem¬ 
perature and atmospheric conditions of the Odontoglossum house 
will suit it admirably, but in the winter it must not fall much 
below 50°. The spikes usually bear the flowers in pairs, and these 
should be removed without cutting the spikes, as they continue 
to produce the blossoms several years in succession.—H. R. R. 
Orchids in a Plant Case. 
I SHALL be glad if jou can inform me if it is possible to induce 
Orchids to flower in a large size plant case in a room close to the 
window. I have been trying to grow them in a plant case, but not 
with much success. They seem to want something besides heat 
and moisture, which can easily be supplied. I have had evidence 
