1370 . ] 
ONCIDIUM VAEICOSUM VaV. EOaBESII.-THE GAEDEN MENTOE. 
25 
ONCIDIUM VAKICOSUM var. EOGEESII. 
WITH AN ILLU8TEATION. 
species of tlie grand genus Oncidium have yet been met with, 
a more showy and ornamental character than that which we 
now figure, from a fine specimen which bloomed last autumn in 
the collection of the Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea. The flowers 
indeed are quite equal in size and beauty to those of 0. Marshallianum 
and 0. pectorale, while in brilliancy of colour they far surpass those of 0, 
macranthum. The plant was introduced into this country by Dr. Eogers, of East 
Grinstead, after whom it has been named ; and was exhibited by him for the 
£rst time when just going out of flower in November, 1868. Both 0. varicosum 
and the variety under notice, are natives of Brazil, the latter differing from the 
former chiefly in the larger size of its flowers, and in the fewer crests developed 
•on the disk. It is one of the more ornamental of its race, and all the more 
valuable for its habit of flowering during the late autumnal months. 
The habit of the plant resembles that of 0. hifolium. The pseudobulbs are 
of a long ovate form, and somewhat compressed and ribbed ; they support a pair 
of ligulate-lanceolate acute leaves, while from their base proceeds an ample 
branched nodding panicle of large yellow flowers. The sepals and petals are 
quite small, pale greenish-yellow, marked with brown bars. The lip is large, 
much crested at the base, where it is mottled with reddish brown ; it is furnished 
with rounded basal lobes, and has a large reniform middle lobe, which is up-\vards 
of 2 in. across, divided into four lobules, and of the purest and brightest yellow. 
The panicles attain about a couple of feet in length, are much branched, and 
bear sometimes as many as 170 flowers. Like 0. varicosum itself, this is 
one of the finest Oncids we have in cultivation. In gardens it bears the name 
of Oncidium Rogersii^ but Professor Eeichenbach is, no doubt, quite correct 
in referring it to 0. varicosum, the four-lobed front portion of the lip affording 
^n unmistakable characteristic. 
Being a native of Brazil, it should be cultivated in the Cattleya house ; it 
grows freely when suspended in a basket near the roof; and sphagnum, peat, 
and charcoal form a suitable compost for it.—^M. 
THE GAEDEN MENTOE. 
^EBEUAET is often subject to much rain, and snow, and to storms. When 
weather of this description prevails, the ground is generally too wet for 
working, and out-door operations should be suspended until it is in a fit ' 
state; but all kinds of in-door work should be prosecuted vigorously. 
Kitchen Gaeden, —If manuring, digging, trenching, and ridging have been 
attended to in favourable weather during the autumn, the ground will now be in 
a good state for cropping. A good deep soil, of such texture that it .can be 
3ed seeies. —III. a 
