54 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ April, 
nerianum, is one of the most beautiful and distinct 
forms yet known. The plant has flowered for many 
years in succession in the Broomfield collection, and 
■was exhibited at the grand International show at 
St. Petersburg in 1869, when it was very much ad¬ 
mired ; it then bore about fifty of its richly-coloured 
blossoms, and travelled from London to St. Peters¬ 
burg and back without sustaining the least injury. 
This fact that it is capable of bearing long journeys, 
and of its lasting a long time in beauty, makes it 
equally valuable for exhibition and also for home 
decorative purposes. No other Cypripedium blooms 
so freely or in so small a state. The leaves are 
very prettily tesselated, oblong acute, aDd from 3 in. 
to 4 in. in length. The flowers are elevated on a stalk 
about 10 in. in height, two blossoms being some¬ 
times produced on the same scape ; the dorsal sepal 
is broad and very handsomely marked, the upper 
part being of a clear and brilliant white, and the 
lower part of a rich purplish-crimson; the other 
parts of the flower are of a purplish-brown colour 
of various shades. The flowers are produced during 
the spring months, and continue from six to eight 
weeks in perfection. 
The tropical species of Cypripedium are, for the 
most part, dwarf and compact in growth, and ever¬ 
green in habit, so that they are always interesting 
objects to the cultivator, whether in or out of bloom. 
The variety now under notice requires the same 
treatment as the other forms of C. barbatum. These 
thrive best in pots, well drained with broken crocks, 
or crocks mixed with charcoal, and should be potted 
in good, rough, fibrous peat, with a little sand. The 
base of the plant should be placed well above the 
pot, two inches above the rim would not be too 
high, as they are generally free-rooting plants, 
spreading their roots about the surface of the peat. 
They require a liberal supply of water at the roots 
during their growing season ; moreover, they require 
but little rest, and while resting should not be allowed 
to get dry, since they have no thick fleshy pseudo¬ 
bulbs from which to draw sustenance. They will 
thrive either in the Cattleya or East India House, 
and are therefore very accommodating. We have 
seen them doing well in a house along with mixed 
stove plants, where there has not been a house set 
apart for Orchids. Being compact and dwarf, they 
occujiy but little space, while the number of blos¬ 
soms they produce is very considerable, in conse¬ 
quence of which they are a real acquisition to those 
who are fond of flowers. Indeed, the Cypripediums 
should be much more generally grown, as, by secur¬ 
ing various kinds, a succession of blossoms may be 
arranged. The flow r ers are especially useful when 
cut, as they will last for six weeks in water, if atten¬ 
tion be given them. They are also among the best 
of Orchids for exhibition purposes, as they may be 
used twenty times over, if not bruised by packing. 
The insects that attack these plants are the thrips 
and the scale, which may be kept under by careful 
hand-washing. The plants are propagated by divid¬ 
ing the growths after they are matured, or just as 
they are starting afresh, which takes place soon 
after the blooming season is over; the divisions 
should be placed in small pots, using the same ma¬ 
terial at the roots as that recommended for the 
established specimens.—B. S. Williams. 
Whether for its pictorial illustrations or its 
cultural instructions, we can heartily recom¬ 
mend Mr. Warner’s Select Orchidaceous Plants 
as a book which will be appreciated on the 
table of either the drawing-room or the garden 
library. The variety of C. barbatum , to which 
the above remarks refer, differs in the more 
distinct tesselation of its variegated leaves, in 
the larger flowers, and in the brighter vinous 
crimson tints which pervade the flowers, espe¬ 
cially remarkable on the dorsal sepal.—T. M. 
VIOLETS. 
ITH the return of bright sunshine, 
those universal favourites, the Violets, 
are now in full beauty. The past 
weather has been anything but favourable, as 
those in frames required so much covering-up 
that their progress was but slow ; and when 
the blossoms formed, they could not expand, 
owing to the weather being so dull and cold ; 
while those planted in borders outside suffered 
severely, and will consequently flower late. 
As soon as they have done flowering 
("during April), will be the time to lay the 
foundation for next season. The old plants 
should be taken up and divided into single 
crowns, with some of the old roots attached. 
Plant them 1 ft. apart each way, on a north 
border of rich soil, not too light, as the Violet 
succeeds best in a moist situation, where it is 
protected from the glare of the summer sun. 
They should be well watered in dry weather 
—in fact, a slight watering every evening will 
be beneficial, as they too often fall a prey to 
red-spider, especially so the Neapolitan. All 
runners should be cut off, the plants kept clear 
of weeds, and the surface of the soil loosened. 
In September prepare a frame ; one that has 
been used for cucumbers or melons will do 
very well. If the soil is dry, give a good 
soaking of water, and put in some good soil, 
a mixture of loam and dung, so as "to bring 
the plants near the glass. Do not put the plants 
in too thickly, as during winter damp is their 
greatest enemy. In favourable weather, the 
lights are best off altogether, and should be 
tilted back and front at all times, when not 
freezing; protect them well in severe weather, 
but let them have all the daylight possible. 
If any are desired in pots, a frame may be 
cleared about February, and the plants potted 
up in 6-in. (32) or 5-in. (48) pots, according to 
size, and introduced into a gentle heat. They 
must be kept near the glass, or they will be¬ 
come drawn and pale in colour; and all de¬ 
caying leaves must be picked off. When in 
flower, they make nice subjects for indoor 
decoration. I find they do much better 
