236 
THE HARDENING WORLD. 
December 12, 1885, 
English hedgerows. The latter is a most attractive 
little plant, presenting a tuft of rich glossy leaves, out 
of the centre of which rises the flower, or more properly 
aggregation of flowers, for it is a family or group of 
them, collected about the base of an erect and club- 
shaped pillar or column, known as the spadix, that 
in turn is protected by an envelope or sheath, all 
growing from an extremely small tuber. Curiously 
enough, in the olden times, it was not the flower that 
was appreciated, but the starch that was obtained from 
the tuber, being used in the time of Queen Elizabeth 
for starching the ruffles that characterised the apparel 
of the Court gallants. 
The Sumatra Arum is a wake robin of mammoth 
proportions, and it is said that the first European that 
observed it at first refused to believe that it was a 
flower. This was before the time of Beecari, who 
brought the plant before the scientific world. A party 
was travelling through Sumatra with native guides, 
when one of the latter brought into camp a huge object 
of evidently vegetable structure,,at least 6 ft. in length, 
and endeavoured to make the white men believe that 
it was a flower, or part of one. The story, however, 
was not credited, and was forgotten until the real 
discovery was made by the Italian botanist mentioned. 
He found the plant growing in secluded parts of the 
country, and considered it to be a most remarkable 
example of vegetable growth. Imagine, if you can, a 
tuber 5 ft., and .sometimes more, in circumference ; 
from this, growing leaves on foot stalks 10 ft. in length, 
divided and torn by the wind, yet covering an area of 
45 ft. or 50 ft. in circumference. Above this towered 
the gigantic flower, impressing the beholder not only 
with its size, but by its peculiar colouring. The central 
column or spadix, that in the wake robin is used as a 
button-hole bouquet, is in this tropical cousin 6 ft. in 
height, and proportionately stout. The spadix from 
which this rose was about 3 ft. in diameter, of a bell 
shape, the edges richly crumpled and toothed in a 
fantastic manner, and coloured a pale greenish tint 
upon the inside, and a rich black metallic purple 
without. 
A group of these plants would present a remarkable 
sight, their enormous leaves, the large masses of colour, 
and the huge waving central column resembling more 
the creatures of some vivid imagination than the reality. 
If we consider diameter, the discovery of Sir Stamford 
Baffles in the same country is indeed a greater marvel. 
The plant now known as the Rafflesia Arnoldi is an 
enormous parasite, uncouth and fleshy, seemingly at¬ 
taining its huge dimensions by literally absorbing the 
juices of its neighbours. It is invariably found growing 
upon the roots of other plants, leafless, rootless itself, 
represented only by the gigantic flower, from which 
rises an odour sickening and foetid in the extreme. 
The plant first observed was considered an enormous 
fungus or agaric, but it was soon shown to be flower. 
Imagine a Bose blasted and swollen, weighing 15 lbs. 
or 20 lbs., its petals reduced to five in number, the 
thickness of each being over 1 in., each one measuring 
1 ft. from the base to the apex, and some idea can be 
gained of this monstrosity of plants. It measured over 
3 ft. across the surface, and the nectary, a vessel 
capable of holding six quarts, was filled with a reeking 
fluid that gave out an odour like tainted beef, and was 
a trap, containing the bodies of myriads of insects. 
The flower was first discovered on the Manna Biver, 
Sumatra, where it is known as the “ Devil’s Siri Box,” 
and is calculated to create a decided impression on the 
mind of the observer. Dr. Arnold, after whom it is 
also named, says of the effect it had upon him when 
coming upon it, “To tell the truth, had I been alone, 
and had there been no witnesses, I should, I think, 
have been fearful of mentioning the dimensions of this 
flower, so much does it exceed every flower that I have 
ever seen or heard of.” 
In the Island of Java another of these giants has 
been found, differing but little specifically, and being 
nearly as large as its Sumatra ally. In the South 
American jungles are found many flowers remarkable 
for their extreme size. On the Magdalena Biver there 
grows a climbing Aristolochia that attracts the voyager 
to the shore by the wonderful size and structure of its 
blossoms, each one of which measures 4 ft. in circum¬ 
ference. The specific name is Grandiflora, and it is 
probably similar to what is known as the “pelican 
plant” in the West Indies, where the blossoms so 
resemble a pelican’s head. The great flowers are often 
used by the native children as caps, being quite large and 
stout enough for the purpose. Miers, who observed 
them in Brazil, says that as they appeared hanging 
upon the vine, he was reminded of coloured handker¬ 
chiefs spread out to dry. 
None but a native would think of approaching near 
them, much less utilizing them as a headgear, as the 
odour is so feetid as to drive away large animals from 
their near proximity. Not only this, but they are 
poisonous when eaten. Tussac is authority for the 
statement that a whole herd of swine that had eaten 
the roots and leaves were destroyed. A species of this 
plant A. Goldieana, found on the old Calabar Biver and 
Sierra Leone, is quite as remarkable. The flower is over 
2 ft. in length, and 11 ins. in diameter at the mouth. 
It has all the richness of colouring and disagreeable 
qualities of odour that characterise its ally of the South 
American Continent. 
Our familiar night-blooming Cereus may well be 
grouped with the phenomenal plants, having a flower 
that, when fully expanded, measures 1 ft. in diameter. 
Exceeding this in beauty and size is the Lilium giganteum 
that constitutes one of the most gorgeous displays in the 
floral kingdom. This is represented at the museum at 
Kew by a stem that was over 1 ft. in circumference at 
the base, and that rose to twice the height of the tallest 
man, or nearly 14 ft., and was covered with blossoms 
each as large as a large goblet. 
The delicate ferns that are the types of grace and 
beauty in our woods, have gigantic representatives in 
other countries. That known as the “Silver King” 
(Cyathea dealbata) has leaves 7 ft. in length. This 
may be considered its normal size, but in the silent 
forests of New Zealand the delicate Fern assumes at 
once the proportions of a tree, and is met with 
leaves 42 ft. in length. Yet these were probably 
insignificant when compared to their ancestors in the 
past ages of the world’s history .—Scientific A merican. 
-- 
ORCHID ROT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
Orchids at Misarden Park.— There is now 
in bloom in the select collection of Orchids formed by 
E. A. I.eatham, Esq., M.P., a grand plant of Vanda 
Sanderiana, bearing two large handsome spikes, one 
with twelve and the other with ten blooms ; it is one 
of the finest specimens in the kingdom. The strongest 
growth is 2 ft. 8 ins. high from the pot, and there are 
four smaller growths. In the same house there is also 
a good specimen of Angriecum sesquipedale bearing two 
handsome spikes of three blooms each, some good 
spikes of Calanthe Yeitchii, Odontoglossum Boezlii with 
very large flowers, and a splendid variety of C'attleya 
superba with a spike of three large blooms. Amongst 
other good plants not in bloom I noticed Cattleya Wal- 
lisii (true), a plant with over twenty bulbs with leaves; 
good specimens of Vanda tricolor and V. suavis, several 
Dendrobium Wardianum with well ripened bulbs, and 
some good plants of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum.— J. 
Cypher, Cheltenham. 
.ZErides Sanderianum. —Several fine specimens 
of this are now in flower at Messrs. F. Sander & Co.’s 
Orchid nursery at St. Albans, and the best character 
that can be given to it is to say that it is a worthy com¬ 
panion to the superb A. Lawrencise, which the same 
firm first imported. A. Sanderianum has the same 
stout flower spikes, first ascending and then arching 
over as in A. Lawrencise, and the size and form of the 
flowers are also similar, but the ground colour in A. 
Sanderianum is light yellow, and the heavy blotches on 
the tips of the segments dark crimson. It is a noble 
plant and still very rare. 
Calanthe porphyrea. —This pretty new hybrid 
exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence at the last meeting 
of the Royal Horticultural Society, marks the beginning 
of a new race of C'alantlies, to which the rich collection 
of hybrids at Burford Lodge will, no doubt, add many 
still finer things. C. porphyrea is the result of crossing 
Limatodes labrosa with C. vestita rubro oculata, and 
the offspring has taken a new form with curiously in¬ 
volved lip and flowers of a charming bright purplish 
rose. The base of the lip is yellow dotted with crim¬ 
son. The plant was awarded a Fust Class Certificate 
on account of its pleasing colour and pretty form. 
Laelia autumnalis atrorubens.— A superb 
form of this is now in flower at Mr. Sander’s nursery at 
St. Albans, and by comparison with the many weedy 
and pale forms we have seen about, it seems a treasure 
to be coveted. Its flowers are very large, and of the 
most intense violet-crimson. Locality has all to do 
with the quality of imported Orchids, and Mr. Sander 
says that the whole of this small importation which 
have flowered, were equally good. In the same house 
(the long Mexican house) are some very fine forms of 
Odontoglossum Insleayi Leopardinum, Oncidium tig- 
rinum, and various other Mexican Orchids in bloom. 
-->£-<-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Winter Treatment of Ferns.— In the stove any 
sorts that are liable to damp ■will be better on a dry 
stage during the winter, or they may be stood up on 
inverted pots if on a moist bottom ; any young plants 
that are in a growing state may be potted on as they 
require it, or where it is desirable to restrict them to a 
certain size pot, they should have a little liquid manure 
from time to time, or a slight sprinkle of Clay’s Fertilizer 
will be found very beneficial, especially to Adiantum 
cuneatum, or any kindred sorts ; it is not advisable, 
however, to use artificial manures at this season of the 
year, unless a good temperature can be maintained. It is 
very important that the plants should have plenty of room; 
anythinglike crowding is sure to produce weakly growth, 
besides which they are more liable to damp. Over watering 
must be carefully avoided, at the same time Ferns 
should never be allowed to become dust dry. Many of 
the greenhouse sorts will grow freely throughout the 
winter if kept in rather a higher temperature than is 
usually prescribed, but any sorts that are liable to 
thrips, should have a position where there is more 
atmospheric moisture ; Pttris hastata, Doryopteris 
palmata, and Cyrtomium falcatum, are particularly liable 
to get overrun with thrips if grown in a dry position ; 
Lomarias are also subject to the same pest if kept too 
dry. To have Ferns in a serviceable condition through¬ 
out the year, it is necessary to grow on young stock to 
take the place of those that have outgrown the space 
allotted to them, and many sorts are far more beautiful 
in a young state, besides being far more servicable for 
decoration. 
Hard-wooded Greenhouse Plants. —The present 
is a good time to go through this class of plants, and 
get all those that require it, tied out into shape ; in 
tying out such plants as Aphelexis, Dracophyllums, 
Ericas of the tricolor type, &e., it is necessary to use a 
number of sticks, but the number should be limited to as 
few as is absolutely necessary, as sticks are not only 
unsightly, but much damage is often done to valuable 
plants through the roots being broken in putting the 
sticks in the pots. In tying out plants we like to see 
them kept as near to their natural form as possible ; 
where plants are twisted and distorted to make a per¬ 
fectly symmetrical outline, they may show off their 
flowers to better advantage, but at any other time, 
except when they are in full flower, they are unsightly 
objects. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Pines.— The minimum temperature in the fruiting 
house should be kept as near 70° as possible, so as to 
prevent the plants from experiencing a check whilst 
swelling off their fruits, a circumstance which would 
tend to cause discolouration in the centre of the fruit in 
connection with a rather low and humid atmosphere, 
consequent upon inadequate heating power to maintain 
the temperature indicated. Great care should at all 
times be exercised in the application of tepid diluted 
liquid manure at the roots, but more particularly so 
during the dull weather generally experienced during 
the interval from the end of October to the end of 
February, for if the soil at the roots of plants swelling 
their fruits is allowed to get too dry, the fruits will not 
attain to their proper size, but worse still are the inevitable 
consequences of the soil being kept in a sloppy state at 
the roots, in which case the latter not only perish, but 
the fruits cease to swell, and, ultimately, become black 
in the centre from base to summit. 
Successional plants, which have been treated during 
the interval as recommended in a former calendar, should 
still be kept on the dry side, but not dust dry at the 
roots, and a night temperature of from 50’ to 55° be 
aimed at until the beginning of the new year ; then, 
until the beginning of February it should range from 
5° to 70° at night, 75° by day, without sun, and 80 s 
