70 
THE FLORIST ‘AND POMOLOGIST. 
quarters of an inch to inches in length, 
and from one-third to half an inch in breadth, 
borne on very short petioles, the upper side 
covered with fine scattered hairs. The flow¬ 
ers, which are very numerous, are an inch in 
length, often produced in pairs, hut some¬ 
times singly ; the tube is reddish scarlet, the 
third nearest the mouth being orange yellow. 
The plant grows on an elevated district in 
the south of Brazil, but not within the tropics. 
Hence it is believed that it will require a 
greenhouse temperature and plenty of light 
in winter, but that it may be placed out of 
doors in summer. The genus is named after 
Joseph Libon, an ardent Belgian collector. 
Dendrobium Fytchianum. —This new and 
charming Orchid from Moulmein flowered for 
the first time in Europe at Pendlebury House, 
near Manchester, the seat of J. A spinal 
Turner, Esq., in December last. The flowers, 
which are produced ia racemes about 9 inches 
long, are an inch across, of dazzling white¬ 
ness, the lateral lobes of the lip tinged with 
crimson. 
The Pyramidal Robinia is merely a. 
variety of the common Robinia pseud-acacia, 
probably a chance seedling ; but at what time 
it was first produced is not known. It forms 
a slender compact head, and may attain 
36 feet in height. The shoots are very long 
and flexible, and the tree bends gracefully 
with the wind, but does not break. It is 
without spines, and the foliage is light and 
elegant. It is far preferable to the mono¬ 
tonous Lombardy Poplar, although the latter 
attains a greater height. It has been grown 
in the Botanic Garden at Liege for twenty 
years, and is one of the most ornamental trees 
in the garden. It is said to be easily pro¬ 
pagated by grafting on the roots of the com¬ 
mon Robinia.—(. Abridqed from “ La Belqiaue 
HorticoleP) 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 
conservatory. 
This ought to be now a blaze of flowers. 
Besides those plants mentioned before, Indian 
Azaleas, Cinerarias, Pelargoniums, Epacrises, 
Acacias, &c., will now be coming into flower. 
Begonia manicata is also a very useful plant 
at this season. Attend to the tying-up and 
training of climbers. Give air freely on mild 
days. More watering will now be required. 
Keep everything as clean as possible. 
greenhouse. 
Hardwooded Plants. —All young growing 
plants may now be shifted. Have the pots 
clean and well drained. When potted they 
will not require much watering for some 
time, and when they are watered it should be 
with the greatest care and attention. Syringe 
occasionally in bright sunny weather. It is 
not necessary to mention the several kinds of 
plants that ought now to be shifted, as all 
young growing stuff in small pots w r ill be 
benefited by it. A compost of peat, turfy 
loam, and a little silver sand will suit many 
kinds; but there are some families that re¬ 
quire more peat than others, and others that 
require more loam, &c. In shifting plants, 
if the old balls be very dry, they ought to be 
placed for a short time in a tub of water 
before they are potted. Heaths will now 
require shifting. All newly-potted plants 
should be kept rather close for a time; but 
they should have air freely when the weather 
is fine. Guard against cold currents of wind. 
Softwooded Plants. —Specimen Fuchsias will 
now require liberal supplies of water. Stop 
any loose straggling side shoots that may be 
taking the lead. Shift scarlet Pelargoniums 
intended for decorating; also Cupheas, Helio¬ 
tropes, Salvias, &c. Start Dielytra spectabilis. 
Hydrangeas are very little grown in the 
country, which has often been a matter of 
surprise to us, as they are grand objects, are 
very easy to grow, and last a considerable 
time in flower. Indeed, by having a good 
stock of plants, and introducing a few at a 
time into heat, they may be had in flower 
eight or nine months in the year. Azaleas .— 
Pot, if not already done, young plants. Stop 
and tie-out shoots, and place them in heat. 
Thrips are troublesome pests to Azaleas. 
Look out for them, and fumigate two or three 
evenings successively. This will rid the 
plants of them; but for small plants the best 
plan is to dip them for a few minutes into 
tobacco water; this will clear the plants of 
thrips. Attend carefully to the watering of 
large specimen plants. Give them plenty of 
air on fine days. Camellias. —Those plants 
that have been in a little heat will be done 
flowering and commencing growing. They 
should be syringed freely, and should occa¬ 
sionally be watered with liquid manure. Any 
plants in rather small pots which are full of 
roots may now be shifted, but this operation 
is in general better performed at a later 
period. Cinerarias. —Repot succession plants 
for late bloom. Few plants grow so rapidly 
as the Cineraria does at this season of the 
year, and in consequence require plenty of 
growing room, light, and air. To form good¬ 
shaped plants the principal shoots should be 
tied-out and arranged similar to the plan 
adopted for forming handsome plants of Pelar¬ 
goniums. The Cineraria will always please 
best if flowered early. Pelargoniums. —What 
an exciting time for the exhibitor! By the 
end of the month he will see if his plants will 
be in flower by the first show or not. If east 
winds prevail the “May” plants must be 
fired a little, but this must be done with 
