1863 . ] 
GLADIOLUS LADY ALICE HILL-COOL ORCHIDS. 
241 
GLADIOLUS LADY ALICE HILL. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
iMONGST the most marked of the recent improvements which have 
been made in the Gladiolus, has been the introduction of numerous 
finely-striped varieties, a group of which the annexed figure serves 
as a good illustration. The variety there represented was raised by 
Mr. Standish, of Ascot, and was awarded a first-class certificate by 
the Floral Committee in October, 1867. It forms a fine hold spike, and 
the individual blossoms are not only stout, well-formed, and symmetrical, 
hut well-placed on the spike. The colour is a pale rosy tint, boldly flaked 
with purplish rose, the throat being flamed with deep rosy violet. Mr. 
Standish has been a most successful raiser of Gladioli, and the present 
variety, of an entirely novel character, will add to his well-earned reputation. 
M. 
COOL ORCHIDS. 
f HE past growing season has been peculiarly inimical to Alpine Orchids. 
The heat, so oppressive in July and August, aggravated by the most 
f vJJ intense and penetrating influence of Sol himself, had a great tendency 
p to pump up the sap from the pseudobulbs and leaves of certain Orchids 
such as Odontoglots, and disperse it in the artificial atmosphere. 
Cool temperature and shade were agreeable, and only where it has been 
possible to obtain anything at all approaching these conditions, can success 
have been attainable. North houses, or shady nooks out of doors, were the 
best situations for conserving health and promoting growth. Could we 
count upon similar seasons in years to come, it certainly would be wise to 
adopt the Messrs. Backhouses’ plan, and string up some, such as block 
plants, on clothes’ ropes in a shady place, and place others requiring ter¬ 
restrial treatment in such come-at-able places as are chosen for Camellias 
and Azaleas, after the buds have been formed—certainly they would luxu¬ 
riate in such an atmosphere better than if roasted up under glass, with a 
thermometer ranging from 80° to 90°. Such a practice as the above I have 
no hesitation in saying would be wise. Wliat a glorious wrinkle to know 
that certain of the coolest and most beautiful of the Orchids will thrive in 
summer better out than in-doors, provided we have a return of such a 
season as ’68. 
But a word of warning is necessary, and it may be proclaimed through 
the Florist, whose pages are generally well thumbed. It is this that, 
supposing the plants are grown out of doors in summer, they are not to 
have corresponding treatment in winter. Certainly not. The natural 
temperature of these Alpine regions, where the Orchids are found, does not 
3rd Series.— i. m 
