September 19, 1885. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
45 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
On resting Dendrobiums.— A great many 
Dendrobes will now be finishing up their growth, and 
will in their turns want putting into their resting quar¬ 
ters. If we consider the length of time which should 
elapse before the plants ought to start into growth 
again, the necessity for placing them in some position 
where, by the aid of proper treatment, they may be 
kept healthy and plump without being prematurely 
exeited into growth, must immediately present itself. 
It is well to let the pseudobulbs thoroughly finish up 
and begin to harden before removing the plants to a 
cooler house, but it is not well to leave them too long 
in heat for the earlier part of the resting season. 
The drier and airier the house in which the plants are 
placed to rest is kept, the better will they stand a cool 
temperature, and even benefit by it, but a cold, damp 
house often causes great injury. In some gardens a 
cool, dry vinery is used for resting the Dendrobes, and 
in others a cool intermediate house is set apart for that 
purpose. Wherever the plants are placed, it should be 
borne in mind that they want looking after just as 
much as they do when growing, although watering 
being much reduced, they need not take up so much 
time. The Dendrobes may be divided into several 
sections, the largest being that which includes D. nobile, 
D. lituiflorum, D. Wardianum, D. Bensonue, D. cras- 
sinode, and all those other Indian kinds which lose 
their leaves when at rest. These are the easiest 
managed, and simply require keeping cool and dry 
while at rest. 
The next division includes D. ehrysotoxum, D. ag- 
gregatum, D. Jenkinsi, D. densiflorum, D. Farmerii, 
&e., which are commonly called evergreen kinds ; these 
rest well with D. nobile, and only require a little 
water now and then to keep them plump. The D. ma- 
crophyllum (superbum) section, D. anosum, D. Day- 
anum, and all allied species, want well looking after to 
see that they do not get put in too cold a place while 
at rest; they should, therefore, be rested warmer than 
the nobile and Wardian um class, as they are liable to 
injury. 
The nigro-hirsute section, D. formosum, D. infundi¬ 
bulum, D. eburneum, D. Jamesianum, D. longicornu, 
D. hedyosmum, D. Lowii, &c., are perhaps the worst- 
managed of any section of Dendrobes. They refuse to 
be treated together, and only thrive when grown each 
separately, or with the one or two which requires 
similar treatment. With D. formosum, D. eburneum, 
D. longicornu, and D. hedyosmum, the most prolific 
cause of loss is growing the plants in pots. When so 
grown, they generally go on well until the resting time 
comes, and often seem right when the next growing 
time comes round, but frequently they are unable to 
grow again, as their eyes have decayed. A few growers 
do these well in pots, but, as a rule, they are only safe 
in baskets or on blocks. I have known them grown in 
pots, and successfully wintered by being shaken out of 
the pots and simply suspended in a cool house until 
the growing season came round again. They certainly 
resent having much stuff about them in winter, and 
are soon ruined if it is kept moist. 
D. Jamesianum and D. infundibulum thrive better 
in pots, and they should be wintered in a cool part of 
the Cattleya house or, as some do them, on a shelf in 
the cool house. D. Lowianum grows best in a pot, 
and it seems to require rather more heat than the others. 
There are also many other Dendrobes requiring special 
treatment, but which any reasonable person can soon 
master if he be careful to secure for each a good growth, 
and afterwards a fair rest before growing time comes 
again .—James O'Brien. 
Angrsecum Leoni. —The Angracums are among 
the most singular and interesting of the entire Orchid 
family. Whether we mention the large flowering 
A. sesquipedale with its spurs 12 ins. or 14 ins. long ; 
the singular shell-like flowers of A. pertusum, producing 
its blossoms on the upper part only of the spike ; or 
the pretty arching spikes of A. citratum, all are 
deserving of culture, and should have a place in every 
collection. A. bilobum too should not be forgotten, 
while A. caudatum is one that on no account should 
be omitted. With the exception of a slight tinge, 
greenish yellow, mixed with brown in A. caudatum, 
and a tinge of primrose-yellow in A. citratum, the 
flowers of all the species, so far as we have had them 
in cultivation, are of a clear ivory-white. In just one 
or two forms, however, a little green or brown may be 
observed in the spur, the invariable accompaniment to 
the flowers of this genera. 
I have before me now a flower of one of the most 
recent introductions, A. Leoni, and though it is 
not to be comjiared with A. sesquipedale as far as size 
is concerned, it is nevertheless a most beautiful thing. 
Pure white, ivory-like flowers, with a spur in. long, 
with a strange twist in the middle by which instead of 
the point of the spur pointing downwards, it just turns 
exactly in an opposite direction. The flower I have 
was just cut from one of the recently imported plants, 
and though not so large as I had expected to find it, 
yet I doubt not as the plants get stronger, push out 
new roots and become established, the blooms will also 
come larger and stouter. As it is, blooming so soon 
after importing, and, withal, so freely, it is a very 
desirable plant, and as it gets more known, will, I am 
sure be eagerly sought after. The bloom measures from 
the tip of the upper sepal to the tip of the labellum 
2 1 inches, and the same in width across the petals. I 
speak of the upper sepal, &c., as the flower is in my 
hand ; on the plant the flower stalk has just half a 
twist, and the labellum comes to the top, as in A. 
eburneum. Whether it will always come so remains 
to be seen. 
The thick leathery leaves curving downwards, are 
undivided, except just a little at their base, where they 
join the stem of the plant. The flowers are very 
sweetly scented, and as is the case with A. sesquipedale, 
it would appear to be more fragrant at night than 
during the day time. As it is stated to be found at an 
elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 ft. in the Comora Islands, 
it should succeed best in an intermediate house, but 
then that just depends on the season when it is first 
received ; if it should come in the summer, it would 
probably be quite warm enough. If, however, the 
plants come in early spring or autumn, perhaps it would 
be the best course to keep it in a light position in 
the East India house. When once established and 
new roots have appeared, then give it less heat, with 
an abundance of light and water whilst growing.— 
TV. Swan, Fallowfield. 
Orchids in Flower at Westbrook, Shef¬ 
field. —This is not the best time to inspect collections 
of Orchids, as it is now what is generally termed ‘ ‘ the 
slack season ; ” but where there is a good collection, as 
at Mrs. Wilson’s, one can always see something in¬ 
teresting. Amongst the clean and healthy Vandas 
may now be seen the rare and beautiful V. Sanderiana, 
with its erect spike of large flowers. V. Lowi is bear¬ 
ing a fine drooping spike of richly spotted flowers. 
These two new Vandas have another good quality ; 
they flower freely in their young state. Saccolabium 
Blumei majus, Phalaenopsis, Sanderiana, P. violacea, 
Odontoglossum Boezlii album, and O. Alexandra, 
several plants, some very fine, both in spikes and 
flowers. Poor varieties find no favour with Mrs. 
Wilson’s son,] Mr. A. Wilson, who is, without doubt, 
an excellent judge of these plants. O. Pescatorei, 
O. Lindleyana, O. vexillarium rubellum, Oncidium 
macranthum, 0. incurvum, Grammatophyllum Ellisii, 
Epidendruin vitellinum majus, Masdevallia ignea, 
Cattleya crispa, Miltonia Regnelli, Zygopetalum Gau- 
tieri are also in bloom. They are well arranged in a 
span-roofed flowering house, interspersed with tuberous 
Begonias, which have a very pleasing effect. The 
Orchids are all in a condition which reflects great credit 
upon Mr. Pidsley, the gardener.— J. TV., Sheffield. 
-> 35 <—- 
FLORICULTURE. 
The Hollyhock. —It was, indeed, pleasant to see 
the fine old Hollyhock so well and finely represented 
at the Crystal Palace Show. It is true that nearly all 
the exhibitors came from the north of England, where 
there must be a considerable revival of Hollyhock 
culture, and the specimens exhibited were so good that 
they recalled the palmy days of the Hollyhock, when 
Chater, Paul, Ward, Rake, and others, raised and 
exhibited in friendly rivalry. Happily for floriculture, 
no florists’ flower, however it may fall into neglect from 
some cause or the other, falls away utterly. Some one 
takes it to his heart, and grows it quietly, sometimes 
winning back again for it a constitutional vigour that 
it may have lost through excessive propagation. 
Eventually it is again shown in rare form, and then the 
forfeited popular fame is obtained for it once more. 
The Hollyhock has undergone some such vicissitude, 
but it is surely coming again to the fore, as was evi¬ 
denced at the late show. 
The principal exhibitor was Mr. Geo. Finlay, gardener 
to Mrs. M. Proud, East Layton Hall, Darlington, and 
not only is he a successful cultivator, but he is a raiser 
also, and appears destined to give us a batch of new 
and very fine flowers. Such varieties as Grace Darling, 
Mrs. Maynard, Octoroon, Pride of Layton, Favourite, 
John Finlay, Robert Ryle, Pollie Hogg, and Flora Mac¬ 
donald, appear to be quite new, and, in all probability, 
raised at Layton Hall. There were very fine examples 
of such grand old varieties as Hercules, Nobilis, Ruby 
Queen, Formosa, Majestic, Walden Queen, Conquest, 
Joshua Clarke, and Venus, mainly, if not wholly, 
raised by the late William Chater. 
Is the ravages of the disease gradually being over¬ 
come ? We think there are evidences that is so. We 
have this season seen some patches of plants, and in all 
cases, were they were being cultivated, they were 
greatly improved in appearance, and were less damaged 
by disease than has been usual for some years past. 
Let fanciers of the Hollyhock turn their attention to 
the production of vigorous growing seedlings. Let ro¬ 
bustness of habit be made a prime consideration, and 
quality of flower can follow. But let them also grow with 
the greatest care any fine named varieties they may 
possess, doing all that in them lies to neutralize the 
effects of the disease. This done, a revival will surely 
come with strength, and we may anticipate the time 
when spikes and blooms of Hollyhocks shall once more 
be a prime feature of our late summer exhibitions. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Derby Horticultural, September 9 th and 10th. 
—The annual show of this society was held in con¬ 
nection with the Agricultural Society’s Exhibition on 
the recreation ground ; but unlike the experience of 
previous years, the weather was very showery on the 
opening day. On the second day, however, it was 
gloriously fine, and consequently the show was largely 
attended, and was undoubtedly a success. The exhi¬ 
bition was held in three spacious marquees, a large 
round tent being used, as at Clay Cross and York, for 
the open competition, one for amateurs and cottagers. 
The leading prizes in all classes brought out strong com¬ 
petitions, and the various exhibits were quite up to the 
average. The principal prizes for stove and greenhouse 
plants brought together the old rivals, Messrs. Cypher 
and Tudgey, and the latter had again to lower his 
colours to the Cheltenham grower. Mr. Ward, Bid¬ 
dings House, was awarded the first prize in the 
amateur's class ; but in the opinion of several com¬ 
petent judges, the second prize lot, belonging to Mr. 
C. Roberts, of Leek, should have had this honour, his 
plants being fresh, bright, and healthier than the 
others. The same error of judgment occurred also in 
awarding the prizes for Black Grapes. Those exhibited 
by Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Gardens, and placed second, 
although not so large in bunch, were finer in berry 
and better finished, and should have held the premier 
position. The same thing occurred in the judging of 
Peaches. The committee, we think, would do well to 
consider this matter seriousty, for nothing injures an 
exhibition sooner than unsatisfactory judging. In 
his first prize group of twelve stove and greenhouse 
foliage and flowering plants, Mr. Cypher had Allamanda 
nobilis and Hendersoni, Clerodendron Balfourianum, 
Ericas, Irbyana and retorta major, Ixora Colei, Pha?no- 
coma prolifera, Kentia Forsteriana, Latania borbonica, 
Cycas circinalis, and Crotons, Sunset and Prince of 
Wales, a good dozen, but we have seen better ; Mr. 
Tudgey, who was second, showed Bougainvillea glabra, 
Ericas, Aitoni and Irbyana superba, Ixora amabilis, 
Statice profusa, Cycas revoluta, and C. circinalis, 
Kentia australis, Crotons, Johannis and Andreanum, 
and Pritchardia pacifiea, his weak point being the 
flowering plants ; Mr. Haslam, of Hartoft, whose 
plants were much smaller, but nice and clean, was 
third. For twelve stove and greenhouse flowering and 
foliage iflants, open to gentlemen’s gardeners, the first 
prize was awarded to Mr. Ward, Biddings House, 
Alfreton, who had Crotons, Mortii and Weismannii, 
Ericas, Iveryiana superba and Austiniana, Yallota 
purpurea (a good mass, very showy), Ixora Williamsii, 
