148 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[October, 
evil during dry and hot summers ; the manure 
which may have been moist and otherwise 
suitable for its purpose when applied often 
becomes a mass of dry inert litter which 
throws off rain when it should go directly to 
the roots of the plants ; but when covered 
with soil it gradually decaj T S, retains its 
virtues, and induces the roots of plants to 
grow near to the surface. During last 
November and December we moved a large 
number of trees, fruit bushes, and also roses 
to more suitable positions. Most of them 
were of great age, but they have not only 
carried full crops of fruit but made growth of 
great vigour; and though no watering has 
been done during the past unusually dry 
season, the roots are moist, fresh, and 
vigorous, immediately under the well-rotted 
mulching. Numerous experiments with de¬ 
ciduous forest trees, coniferoe, evergreen 
shrubs, &c., have long since convinced me 
that mulching is of great advantage, but the 
benefit is much greater when the manure is 
covered with soil.—M. Temple. 
ADA AURANTIACA. 
¥ E have in this, the only known species 
of Ada, a well-marked decorative 
plant of no mean order, and one 
' which is found most useful in our 
Orchid houses. It is an evergreen dwarfish 
epiphyte, of a remarkably free habit of growth; 
indeed, we have had specimens in the Victoria 
Nursery bearing as many as twenty of its 
graceful and brilliantly-coloured spikes of 
flowers. The flower spikes appear with the 
leaves on the young growths during the winter 
and spring months. The racemes are droop¬ 
ing towards their extremity, and the flowers 
of a brilliant orange-scarlet, which is very 
striking and effective. 
When successfully cultivated no one could 
fail to admire the Ada aurantiaca, the more 
so as it is one of the Orchids which thrive in 
a cool house, and plants are by no means 
costly. The flowers last for several weeks in 
perfection. 
The species is a native of the Andes of 
Colombia, where it is found at the great eleva¬ 
tion of 8,000 feet, consequently it will grow 
well with Odontoglots under cool treatment. 
Some years ago it was very rare, but it is 
now, thanks to our collectors, more plentiful, 
and more popular. It is a most important 
decorative plant; indeed we have no colour 
like it among our cool Orchids, and when 
brought into association with the delicate 
colours of 0. Alexandra: and 0. Pescatorei 
the effect obtained by the intermixture is 
altogether charming. There is a good figure 
published in the Orchid Album. 
The Ada requires the same treatment as 
the Odontoglossums just referred to. The 
potting material best suited to its growth is 
a good fibrous peat, with plenty of drainage. 
It will thrive either in a pot or in a basket. 
In potting it should be well elevated above 
the rim, so that the roots can work freely 
among the material in which it is potted. 
The soil should be kept moist during the 
growing season, but on no account must the 
moisture be allowed to become stagnant, a 
condition -which can be prevented by using 
charcoal mixed with the peat, wTiich will keep 
the drainage open, and allow the waste water 
to pass off. If the soil should by any mis¬ 
chance become soddened it must be removed 
and fresh soil made use of, the roots being 
well -washed previously to repotting. 
Shade is very essential to the well-being of 
the foliage, as the leaves are apt to go spotted 
if the sun is permitted to shine strongly upon 
them. In its native country it is found in 
shady places, and hence it will not bear full 
exposure, though in its artificial home it needs 
all the light that can be given to it.—B. S. 
Williams, Victoria Nursery, Upper Holloway. 
DYSON’S STOCK. 
"NDER this name in May last I saw 
growing in Mr. Samuel Barlow's gar¬ 
den at Stake Hill a very fine large- 
flowered Crimson Stock of great 
beauty and brilliant in colour. This is a 
local name given to it, but I fancy it is iden¬ 
tical with the new Giant Crimson ten-week, 
known to growers in the South. It throws up 
magnificent spikes of double flowers, and, 
indeed, a considerable proportion of the plants 
are double. Mr. Barlow sows the seed early 
in the year, and grows on his first batch of 
flowering plants in pots, and when I saw 
them they were beginning to bloom in his cold 
house. A later sowing is made for bedding 
