THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[May 2. 
70 
this method is followed, it is necessary that the pot in 
which the plant is grown should be several inches less 
in diameter than that of the vase or basket; as then earth 
is not only introduced below the pot, but around its 
side; and into that part little trailers are planted to hang 
over the sides—generally of a colour contrasting with 
the main mass in the centre. The same system is adopted 
with pots or baskets intended to remain for the season. 
(Contrasted with the old pot and box system, the advan¬ 
tages are chiefly these: the plants and their containing 
vessels present a more astistic appearance; the flowers 
are placed on nearly a level with the eye, or a little above, 
or a little below, where they can be more thoroughly and 
easily examined; and many little trailers just appear 
in their element and most striking beauty when thus 
festooning the sides of the vase or basket. ” How beau¬ 
tiful, for instance, is a mass of scarlet geraniums thus 
edged with the White verbena; aud how more beautiful 
still, to see the lower scarlet flowers of the geranium 
blended with the blue Lobelia speciosa and Grandijiora, 
or the pretty Anagallis Phillipsii, while they garland 
the sides of the box or vase with their dense mass of 
flowers almost to the ground—presenting a power of rich 
colour which never can be obtained, unless when the 
plants are allowed to fall in a pendent position. And 
then how pretty a vase of yellow calceolarias, with an 
edging of purple Senecio blended with hangers of purple 
verbenas, or an old lilac, named Pulchella, which answers 
well for this hanging, drooping position. Another, not 
to go farther—there is the Salvia patens, so rich in its 
azure blue, which we had full in flower, and in the same 
vase from May to October, by merely giving the plant 
top-dressing, and manure watering. How nice it looks 
with dependers of the Hschsclioltzia, or the Tropceolum 
Ganariense; or for a change, the fine large red Anagallis. 
“ 0, but ’—says a friend—“ it is all very well to speak 
oi these raised boxes, and vases, but how are we humble 
folk to get them ?” We reply, that a neat ornamental 
wood box may be made out of the same wood, and at a 
[io great degree of expense more, than is now necessary 
lor the long green boxes—for they may surely be painted 
a stone colour, at least as cheaply as being daubed 
green; and not only may they thus be made of a stone 
colour, but so like the real article, that it will almost 
require examination to enable you to decide that they 
are not really stone. Thus—when painted, throw over 
as much as the paint will take on of dry silver sand, and 
when dry, it will have all the appearance of rough sand¬ 
stone. The common pot may also be served in a similar 
manner ; and though composition vases are still dear, 
there is no reason why the red ware common pot should 
not be made more artistic, which it will be, whenever 
there is a demand fora superior article; and then, when 
thus painted and sanded, they would answer the purpose, 
so far as gratifying the eye was concerned, as well as 
the more costly and valuable compositions. Even the 
common pot, w r hen large, may be made somewhat elevated 
and artistic, by giving it a plinth of wood, painted and 
sanded, to rest upon. The plinth may be formed in the 
shape of a square box, with one side, that to go next the 
floor, open, aud the upper side on which the pot stands 
with a circular hole to allow the drainage to pass, which 
may be received in a vessel placed in the plinth, and 
thus completely concealed. Some such temporary plinths 
have lasted with me many years. Pots so painted and 
sanded I have found to answer well for the generality of 
piants. , ^ R. Eish. 
(To be resumed.) 
HOTHOUSE DEPARTMENT. 
EXOTIC ORCHID ACE Al. 
Routine Work for May. —The growing season for | 
these plants has now arrived. They will require abun- j 
dance of moisture both in the air of the house and at the i 
root; a liberal supply must be given. Plants in baskets, 
such as Stanliopeas, Gongoras, Aerides, aud Saccola- 
biums, should be taken down once a week and soaked in 
the cistern; the time they should be kept in the water 
will depend upon the state they are in. If very dry they 
will require half an hour to thoroughly wet them; if 
moderately moist in the centre a single dip, and out 
again directly, will be sufficient. Keep a good look-out 
for woodlice, and crush them as they rise to the surface. 
As the sun will now be powerful, the shades must be 
let down whenever there is strong, clear sunshine; if 
this is neglected the leaves will turn yellow, the growths 
will be crippled, and the flowers will fade, besides, the ] 
moisture will sooner evaporate and the roots will lack i 
support: all these evils may be prevented by a judicious 
use of shades. 
Air and Heat. —The giving of air will depend upon j 
the heat inside; refer to the table, and give air accord¬ 
ingly, always remembering to keep the night tempera¬ 
ture lower than the day by six or eight degrees, or even 
more. Read attentively our remarks upon the mode of 
giving air. If the house is so ventilated that the air 
rushes into the house direct amongst the plants, hang 
up some gauze to break the current, so as to mollify it 
before it comes in contact with the plants. Continue to 
pot all plants that have not undergone that operation as 
they begin to grow. Several that were potted early in 
the year will be benefited by a top-dressing now; re¬ 
move part of the old peat carefully, taking great care 
not to injure the young, growing roots, for they are very 
brittle, and as tender as young asparagus. In conse 
quence of so much moisture the pots will begin to be 
covered with green scum ; this is injurious to the health 
of the plants, and the pots must be washed frequently. 
Insects : Woodlice. —This tribe of insects is almost 
as destructive as the cockroach, but, happily, it is more 
easily come at and destroyed. In writing upon the de¬ 
struction of that formidable enemy, mention was made of 
using sliced potatoes and turnips as good traps for 
woodlice and small shell-snails; we need only now 
remind our readers of those useful traps, and of the con¬ 
stant attention every morning to crushing any insects 
that may lodge under them. It will be necessary, also, 
to scrape off the skin that will form on the cut under 
side of each slice, or it will prevent the insects feeding 
upon them. Another excellent way of destroying these 
pests is that of sinking the pots and baskets up to the 
level in water; the woodlice will rise to the surface out 
of the compost to escape drowning, and then may be 
easily caught. 
Large Shell-Snails, and the common Black and 
Grey Snails, or Slugs. —When these obtain an entrance 
into the orchid house they are very destructive. About 
two years ago we had a very line specimen of Aerides 
odoratum major, which one morning had the undersido 
of two of its large leaves completely eaten away; search 
was made at night for cockroaches (they being blamed 1 
for the mischief done), but not one could be seen. The 
next morning two more leaves were eaten half through ; 
the evil now became alarming, as the plant was, on 
account of its size, a valuable one, and we had had 25 
guineas bid for it. Again, at night, but an hour or two 
later, the search was renewed, and fortunately this time 
with success—an enormous shell-snail was discovered 
feeding very quietly, but voraciously, upon his dainty 
food; of course he paid the forfeit for his unwitting 
offences. There is no other way of catching these large 
