1881 . ] 
ODONTOGLOSSUM CERVANTESII.—TOMATOS FOR AMATEURS. 
43 
ODONTOGLOSSUM CERVANTESII. 
Cervantes Udontoglot is a native of 
Mexico, and was introduced into Eng- 
land about tlie year 1845 by, it is 
believed, tlio late Mr. Barker’s collector. It 
has, therefore, been for a long time an in¬ 
habitant of our stoves. It belongs to a group 
designated by Dr. Bindley as the white-lipped 
Odontoglots, and is, perhaps, one of the most 
beautiful of the group which, according to the 
same authority, comprises, amongst others, the 
following, namely, 0. mcixillare , O. rubescens, 
0 . Ttossii, and 0 . stellatum. 
These, with most of the other kinds of 
Orfontoglossum , are found to do best in a cool 
house. Tliej' should be potted in good fibrous 
peat, with an admixture of clean sphagnum- 
moss, the pots being quite half filled with 
clean crocks. Water may be liberally supplied 
during the growing season, and should not be 
entirely withheld even in the resting season. 
The temperature should range from 45° to 55° 
Fahr., when fire is used ; but with sun-heat, 
and in the growing season, a temperature of 70° 
or 80° will be quite congenial to them. In 
growing orchids of all kinds, it is all important 
that the plants and houses in which they are 
grown should be kept scrupulously clean. No 
green slime should ever be allowed to collect 
on the pots, or on the shelves of the house, 
and the plants should be kept free from insect 
pests. A clean house and a sweet, moist 
atmosphere, are amongst the greatest helps to 
successive Orchid-culture. 
The species whose name stands at the head 
of this paper is one of very pleasing char¬ 
acter, being of a neat habit, with ornamental 
flowers. Its ovate angulate pseudobulbs bear 
a solitary oblong leaf, and a few-flowered scape. 
The flowers are large, sweet-scented, bluish- 
white, with oblong-lanceolate sepals,broader and 
more ovate petals, and an ovate, cordate acute 
lip, which is self-coloured, while the bases of 
the sepals and petals are marked by concentric 
reddish-brown bands. The variety membrana- 
ccum has white flowers, with the lip deeply 
cordate and retuse, but otherwise much re¬ 
sembles the type. Both are desirable orchids 
for general cultivation.—G. Eyles, Kew. 
TOMATOS FOR AMATEURS. 
« HERE are hundreds of suburban and 
country residences in the gardens of 
which are to be found a small range 
of houses, comprising, perhaps, a vinery, plant- 
stove, and a greenhouse, or there may be but a 
vinery and a plant-house. In each of these 
houses a few Tomatos may be grown, and that 
without entailing the sacrifice of but few of or 
injury to the ordinary occupants. The houses 
being small, small-fruited varieties should be 
grown, and I know of none better for the pur¬ 
pose than Vick’s Criterion, which is well 
adapted for fruiting in small pots. 
For an early crop in a plant-stove or early 
vinery, sow the seed thinly early in February 
* From The Tomato, with Cultural Direct ions for Maintaining 
a Continuous Supply of Fruit. By W. Iggulden, gardener to 
the Right Hon. Earl of Cork and Orrery, K.P. (171 Fleet 
Street). A comprehensive treatise on the culture of this 
now popular esculent, and one which is likely to prove 
useful to those who may not have given particular attention 
to the subject, especially to amateur cultivators. 
(amateurs are apt to sow very thickly) in well- 
drained 6-in. pots or pans, using fine, light, 
sandy soil, and covering lightly with some of the 
soil. Water through a fine rose pot, cover 
with slips of glass, and place the pots either in 
a hotbed, or on a stage over the hot-water pipes. 
Do not allow the soil to become dry, and at the 
same time avoid saturating it. When the 
seedlings appear, take off the glass, and before 
they become drawn and weakly, transfer them 
to a warm shelf near the glass. Pot off when 
they have made leaves other than seed-leaves, 
using 4-in. pots (large sixties) and soil, previously 
warmed, consisting of equal parts of fine loam 
and sifted leaf-soil. Having shaken out the 
plants, select the best, and rather more than 
will eventually be required; and after having 
placed a little of the roughest of the soil over 
i) the drainage, put a single plant down the side 
