DECEMBER. 
261 
CAMELLIA CONTESSA LAVINIA MAGGI ROSEA. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
We are indebted to Mr. Bull for the opportunity of figuring this very 
beautiful new Camellia, a self-coloured sport, we believe, from the favourite 
striped variety to which the name was first applied, and which is one of the 
finest of modern varieties. The form now figured was shown in great 
beauty by Mr. Bull at one of the Regent’s Park shows of last spring, and 
was a source of very great attraction. In the general character of the plant, 
and in the build of the flower, it resembles the striped kind, but the colour 
is throughout of a rich and peculiarly bright carmine rose—more brilliant, 
as it appeared to us, than that of any other variety of this class of colour. 
When to the size and quality of flower presented by the original Lavinia 
Maggi, this lovely and brilliant hue is superadded, no further praise is 
needed. Without doubt it will take rank as one of the finest varieties in 
cultivation. M. 
COOL ORCHIDS. 
It is interesting to know that many of our Cool Orchids will not only 
live in the open air in summer, but will actually thrive and grow. • 
This autumn, at the latter end of September, I visited the nursery of 
Messrs. Backhouse & Son, of York, and there I saw hung on an iron rail, 
in a very sheltered and partially shaded spot, rows of Orchids fastened on little 
blocks of wood, and I must confess I was rather surprised to see these inter¬ 
esting plants growing so far north in the open air. They had been placed 
out at the latter end of June, and many of them had made such growths 
as would have perfectly satisfied an Orchid grower if produced in a house. 
I was informed that no protection whatever had been used. Amongst the 
most promising were the well-known Lselias—autumnalis, furfuracea, 
majalis, and superbiens. Epidendrum erubescens was also doing well, and 
E. vitelliniun was in flower. Barkeria Skinneri and Dendrobium speciosum 
were looking well, and a variety of what is supposed to be Odontoglossum 
ramosissimum had made fine growths, and was rooting freely. Odonto¬ 
glossum grande was also amongst the number, but had not apparently made 
much progress. This, with several others, was under the shade of some Fir 
trees, and placed in zinc pans containing water to prevent slugs and other 
vermin getting to them. The bottom of the pots was placed just above the 
water level. 
Although perhaps there is not much advantage in growing Orchids out 
of doors, still it is highly interesting to know that they will not only exist, 
but thrive under such treatment. I believe Mr. Standish has treated 
Epidendrum erubescens much in the same way, and it was six weeks ago 
showing flower finely. It is quite a common practice to place Dendrobium 
speciosum and Cypripedium insigne out during the summer months with 
the greenhouse plants, and with very good results; and wdien we are 
repeatedly told that many of these plants are gathered from localities where 
frost occurs, there can be no reason why such out-door treatment should act 
injuriously. 
In growing Cool Orchids in houses, I find that some species which grow 
perfectly well, require to be moved into a warmer atmosphere to perfect 
their flowers. This is particularly the case with Oncidium flexuosum ; it 
grows luxuriantly, but the flower stems prove abortive until moved into heat, 
VOL. VI. N 
