THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
125 
! May 30.] 
| deep crimson. It is slightly fragrant, and is a fine 
J species. Native of the Philippine Isles. 105s. 
Aerides roseum (Rose-coloured Air-plant).—This is a 
' lovely species, with the stems and leaves spotted slightly 
with brownish purple ; a dwarf grower, with flowers of 
■ a rich rose colour. Native of Java. 105s. 
Aerides tesselatum (Checquered Air-plant).—A scarce 
j species, with flowers lined and streaked with green, white, 
and purple. Native of the East Indies. 
Aerides virens (Deep-green Air-plant).—The leaves of 
j this plant are of a lively green; ground of the flower 
: delicate peach, spotted with rich purple ; labellum or lip 
spotted with crimson; very fragrant. Native of Java. 
63s. 
Such are the characteristics of this truly lovely genus. 
It will be observed they all come from the East Indies, 
and consequently require the hottest house. The baskets 
should be filled with sphagnum, or white bog moss, 
which should not be pressed down tightly. Whilst the 
plants are young and small they should be suspended 
near the roof, but when large they maybe set upon pots 
elevated, so as still to be near the glass. There are 
plants of Aerides odoratum in some of the best collections 
so largo as to measure five feet high, and four feet 
through. We have seen a specimen with more than 
sixty spikes upon it. 
(To he continued.) 
Routine Culture for June. —During this month, 
orchids, with very few exceptions, will be growing 
vigorously, and will require a proportionate increase of 
moisture. The first thing every morning let the pipes, 
walls, and paths be thoroughly wetted, so as to create a 
large volume of atmospheric moisture. Then look over 
the plauts in pots, and water freely all that are growing 
and appear dry, observing that Gattleyas and Lcelicis re¬ 
quire less wator than most of the others. Examine the 
baskets of Stmhopeas, and of similar plants, and if found 
to be light and dry let them be dipped up to the leaves 
in a cistern in the house, the water to be new milk-warm. 
Let the peat or moss be thoroughly wetted. The syringe 
must then be used freely, especially to the plants on 
logs. By the time this is done, the sun, on fine morn¬ 
ings, will be shining brightly. The shades then must be 
let down’ to protect the leaves from its strong burning 
rays. The thermometer in the India house may be 
allowed to rise to 85° the maximum, and then ah- ought 
to be given by opening the ventilators, care being taken 
that no strong current of cold air passes directly upon 
or over the plants. Lay this down as a law, like that 
of the Medes and Persians, which altered not, that the 
plants must he dry once a day. By letting in the dry air 
of the external atmosphere this will be effected. To- 
I wards the middle of the afternoon you will find the paths 
j and walls, and the plants, completely dried. Then close 
the ventilators, wet the walls, &c., and renew the in¬ 
ternal moisture to the air. This will, as it were, be 
giving the plants their second supply of food for the 
day. In the evening syringe the blocks, and close up 
the house in a comfortable moist state for the night. 
Allow the temperature to fall during that season of re¬ 
pose, and in the morning you will find the plants looking 
happy and comfortable, and growing freely, to reward 
you for all your care. During the whole of this month 
this daily treatment must be faithfully followed. 
Should any of tire early growing species have fully 
formed their annual growth, place them in a situation by 
themselves, either in the same house or, which is far 
better, in another cooler and drier house. Plants that 
are in flower would preserve their bloom much longer if 
they too could be placed in a similar situation; but as 
soon as they are out of flower, if they have not fully com¬ 
pleted their yearly growth, let them be removed into 
their moist quarters again. 
FLORISTS’ FLOWERS. 
Pansey. —These cheerful flowers will now be in grand 
feather, and if intended for exhibition will require shad¬ 
ing from the midday sun, and protecting from wind and 
rain. We are very partial to layering the long strong 
shoots, as they, by obtaining a fresh supply of feeders, 
thrive amazingly, besides affording a supply of nice 
cuttings from the centre. Put in cuttings of all the sorts 
worth propagating, in the way we have often directed; 
that is, short cuttings placed under a hand-glass in a 
shady place, but not under the drip of a hedge or trees. 
Pinks. —This class of florists’ flowers are particular 
favourites with us; we think them a very genteel race, 
and then they smell so sweet! They are now preparing 
to reward us for the pains we have bestowed upon them, 
by sending up their slender flower-stems, calling forth 
more care to protect them from wind and heavy 
rains, which otherwise would mar their beauty greatly. 
Pipings, as they are termed, may yet be put in, either 
under hand-glasses or in pots placed under glass upon a 
gentle hotbed. T. Appleby. 
THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 
Cauliflowers. —Select and mark for seed a few of the 
handsomest and finest quality, that is to say, those that 
have short thick stems, and well-shaped smooth leaves, 
with the flower showing milk-white and perfectly firm; 
free from spot, blemish, or frothiness. Spring-sown 
plants, which have been pricked out, should be taken up 
with a trowel, and planted in rather cold and shady 
situations at this season, such as on the north side 
of late-sown peas, between the asparagus-beds, when 
ample room has been allowed, or on a north border. 
Another sowing should also be made, if there is space 
to spare, at this season. It is best to sow thinly in 
drills, and to hoe out for the crop to remain, without 
transplanting; or a part of the plants may be taken up 
carefully, when thinning, and planted, as the check thus 
given would secure a succession if well supplied with 
water. Chimney soot-water, with soapsuds, is a capital 
stimulator for cauliflowers, as well as a protection against 
the destructive maggot to which this excellent vegetable 
is so liable throughout the summer months. 
Sea-kale. —-To secure good sea-kale for the next winter 
and spring, it must be attended to at this season. In the 
first place, if the crowns have not had their final thin¬ 
ning of all small and spurious shoots, no time should be 
lost in performing this operation; and that too with 
great care, so as not to break about and loosen the shoots 
intended to remain, or then- leaves. The soil about them, 
as previously directed, should, whilst there is space not 
covered with its foliage, be constantly loosened by 
hand-scarifying, and manure-water should be applied in 
abundance. Any kind of sewerage or cesspool-water is 
valuable for this purpose; or auy liquid brewed from 
the excrements of pigs, poultry, horse, cow, deer, or 
sheep, to which soot and salt added is an improvement. 
Guano-liquid is also well known as a good stimulant, 
but if any of the first-named manures are procurable, 
the expense of guano may very properly be saved; as 
we consider no work well done, at any time or season, if 
waste of any kind is permitted, and if those things which 
we have at command are not turned to good account. 
Economy in every respect must always be placed fore¬ 
most in the mind’s eye. Soot and salt may at all times I 
be added with certain advantage to any of the Brassica j 
family; and asparagus and sea-hale especially delight in 
it. The stronger the plants are, of course, the stronger j 
the liquid may be applied. No one would allow a child 
to make use of beef, beer, and brandy, in which a brewer’s 
drayman, or other strong hearty working biped, taking 
16 or 18 hours of daily exercise, might indulge. 
