364 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 5, 1887. 
Phalsenopsis. —“F. R. M.” (p. 301): Two very 
sweet-scented species of Phakenopsis were first sent 
to England by Colonel Berkeley (now Major-General 
Berkeley), viz., Phalsenopsis tetraspis and P. speciosa. 
They were first flowered in India by that officer, and sub¬ 
sequently flowered in his Orchid houses in England. A 
fine plantof P. speciosa was exhibited by Colonel Berkeley 
at Regent’s Park, on June 13th, 1883, and received a 
First Class Certificate. The sweet scent of these two 
species makes them very desirable. P. tetraspis is 
very delicate, but the flowers being pure white it is 
worthy of the care required to grow it. P. speciosa is 
very robust and grows well, but it is a very rare plant. 
— Guernsey, January 20th. 
Oncidium cebolleta. —Amongst the numerous 
species of Oncidium now in cultivation, it is surprising, 
or even matter for regret, that more of this type are not 
grown in collections for contrast with the broad-leaved 
kinds. 0. cebolleta belongs to the section Teretifolia 
of the Genera Plantarum, and is as distinct for the 
cultivator’s purpose as 0. Jonesian urn, yet it will 
never be able to oust the latter from gardens. Although 
belonging to the same section, both are sufficiently 
distinct to deserve cultivation on their own merits. 
The ground-colour of 0. Jonesianum is white, or, in 
poor varieties, stained with green ; but in the species 
under notice it is of a bright yellow. The sepals and 
petals are beautifully spotted with a dull red, while the 
labellum is almost of a clear yellow and unspotted. 
Both the flower-stem and-ihe solitary leaf are rigid and 
erect, unlike those of 0. Jonesianum, especially the 
leaf, which, according to cultivators, naturally grows 
downwards, like that of Scuticaria, when allowed to 
take its own way. The leaf, too, is better calculated 
to stand erect, owing to its rigidity and its much 
greater thickness in the middle. Pot-culture seems 
also to suit its requirements, judging from a specimen 
at Devonhurst, Chiswick, which has increased greatly 
in strength under such treatment. The species is 
figured in the Botanical Magazine, t. 3,568. 
Miltonia Clowesii.— Mr. J. C. Cowley, gardener 
to F. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley House, Goldhawk Road, 
sends us the beautiful Miltonia Clowesii. The sepals 
are of a fine yellow, heavily banded on the upper part 
with deep chestnut-brown. The petals are similar but 
have their yellow ground colour closely suffused with 
brown. The basal part of the pandurate labellum is 
violet-purple, while the upper part, usually white, was 
in this instance suffused with pale rose. This latter 
feature, however, might possibly be the result of age. 
The species is one of the most handsome, and certainly 
merits good attention. 
Calanthes Not Flowering.— Our plants have 
been affected in the manner described by your corre¬ 
spondent, “ W. P.,” at p. 348, and on examining our 
stock of bulbs the other day I found that some were 
being devoured by small mites of some kind. On 
making enquiries as to the condition of my neighbour’s 
plants, I learnt that he has also found insects amongst 
his Calanthe bulbs. I enclose you a bulb containing 
a quantity of the little mites, and shall be glad to know 
if any more of your readers have been troubled by this 
pest.—,/. IV., Sheffield. 
Calanthe Veitchii with a spike of flowers has 
stood well in a room for over a month, only losing four 
bottom flowers and developing the top ones.— G. Bolas, 
Hopton. 
-->r<-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
A Few Good Double and Single Pyrethrums.— 
The double varieties are Capt. Fares, bright crimson ; 
Imbricatum, purple-carmine tipped with white ; La 
Vestal, delicate blush, extra fine ; Mons. Barral, deep 
rich crimson, extra fine ; Mont Blanc, pure white ; 
Nemesis, carmine-rose tipped with crimson ; and White 
Aster, pure white. Single varieties : Coceinea, rich 
reddish purple ; Hamlet, rich pink ; Sherlock, vivid 
crimson-scarlet; Florida, rich rosy pink and white ; 
George Wallace, vermilion and purple-lake ; Mathilda, 
pure white ; Mr. Bateman Brown, carmine-lake, large 
size ; Neville Goodman, rosy cerise, a novel shade of 
colour ; and the Rev. W. Cuff, rich deep pink. The 
last six varieties are new, and, therefore, higher in 
price than those which head the list. Plants should 
be had in pots in March and April, and planted out in 
good soil in an open spot of ground, and they will be 
certain to greatly please whoever undertakes their 
culture. — 11. D. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Manchester Horticultural Improvement. 
— Jan. 27th .—At this meeting, over which Mr. E. 
Griffiths Hughes presided, Mr. W. Birkenhead, of the 
Fern Nurseries, Sale, read a paper on “ Ferns and their 
Culture.” The great characteristic of Ferns he de¬ 
scribed as modesty, seeking shade and retirement. 
They were mostly remarkable for a soft and gentle 
aspect, abounding in beautiful shades of delicate colour, 
and fairy-like grace of form. Especially were they 
useful in furnising a foil to the brighter colour of leaf 
and flower, characteristic of the other great divisions 
of plants. The number of varieties was infinite. The 
mode of reproduction was different from ordinary seeds, 
particularly in this respect that the sexual intercourse 
actually took place when the seed was in an apparent 
state of growth, and after both male and female spores 
had left the parent frond, whereas in an ordinary seed 
the germ was perfected before the seed parted from the 
parent plant. The reader next strongly protested 
against the wholesale destruction of our native Ferns, 
and expressed a wish that legislation might do some¬ 
thing to remedy this evil. 
Practical remarks followed as to the best means of 
forming and furnishing an artificial rockery and 
Fernery. The speaker said he had a general objection 
to too much of the cave and overhanging archway 
style, and suggesting, as better for plant life and 
display, a system of raised terraces—irregular, of course, 
but the general contour following an angle of 45°. 
The great feature must be to follow nature as closely 
as possible, and to make as much variety in outline as 
circumstances would permit. He recommended plant¬ 
ing large groups of one variety that the effect might be 
more marked, bold and effective. In selecting position 
great heed must be given to the nature of the plant, 
some being well fitted to stand a comparatively dry 
atmosphere, while others could only succeed in com¬ 
plete shade and constant moisture. In this respect 
the whole class of filmy Ferns required great attention. 
When possible, water was a very telling feature in a 
Fernery, either as a trickling rill, a small cascade, or 
irregular pools. Blocks of virgin cork were also spoken 
of as very useful in finishing off the rockwork of the 
Fernery, and supplying a fitting resting-place for some 
varieties of Ferns. The glass-covered Fernery was next 
alluded to, and a few suggestions thrown out as to 
varieties. Strong objection was raised against the 
practice of introducing single specimens of bright 
flowering plants. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.— 
The annual meeting of this society was held on the 
evening of the 29th ult., in the Free Public Library, 
William Brown Street. The report presented and 
adopted by the members, showed the society to be in a 
thoroughly sound financial position. The result of the 
year’s working was a balance of £4115s. 8 d ., which added 
to the amount standing to the credit of the society at 
the bank, makes the handsome sum of £549 16s. id. 
with which to commence the present year’s work. Out 
of this sum the committee were empowered to pay a 
donation of £5 to the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent 
Institution. It was proposed to do this annually, but 
the members thought it best to vote the sum at each 
annual meeting if the position of the society warranted 
such a step being taken, for it was argued that the 
society might not always be in the prosperous condition 
it was at the present time. It was also proposed that 
the society should grant a similar amount to Mr. Wm. 
Minshull, the sub-treasurer of the association for the 
past four years, who had been compelled to retire 
through illness. It may be remarked that Mr. 
Minshull was compelled to resign his situation in March 
last, and instead of gaining strength, has gradually 
grown weaker and weaker. The general opinion of 
the meeting was to the effect that he had filled his 
office in a highly satisfactory manner. This resulted 
in the members unanimously granting him a donation 
of £10. 
The outlook at the present time is most hopeful, for 
the membership has steadily and gradually increased 
from the beginning up to the present time. It now 
amounts to the large number of 1,280, who are sub¬ 
scribing from 2s. 6d. up to £5 5s. Under-gardeners 
only are enrolled members for the lowest sum, and 
about 130 have now joined the association. The total 
amount of the subscription list for the past year 
amounts to the large sum of £591 4s., and there is 
every reason to believe that this amount will be in¬ 
creased another year. This — combined with the fact 
that 1,169 more persons visited the spring and autumn 
exhibitions held by the society than was the case at the 
corresponding exhibitions of the previous year—does 
not show that horticulture in the neighbourhood is not 
liberally supported, or that the public in and about 
this great city are not interested in horticultural 
matters. Another hopeful sign of future prosperity 
is the fact that a much larger number than usual of 
special prizes are given by local nurserymen and others. 
These, however, need not be particularised here, for 
they are all printed in the schedule. 
It was also resolved that an annual dinner in con¬ 
nection with the association should be inaugurated, 
which was referred to the committee for further con¬ 
sideration and to be carried into effect. For the 
consideration of the committee and members during 
the year, it was suggested that a gardener’s library be 
established in connection with the association ; it was 
believed by those who brought this matter forward, 
that if once started and a special appeal were made, 
that it would meet with liberal support. The intention, 
however, was, that after it had once started, to make 
it as far as possible self-supporting by those who 
availed themselves of its advantages. 
His worship, the Mayor of Liverpool, was elected 
president of the association ; Fletcher Rogers, Esq., 
Woodend, Grassendale, hon.-treasurer ; Mr. Blackmore, 
sub-treasurer ; Messrs. Kelly and Peers, auditors, and 
Mr. Bridge, secretary, for the third time. Great credit 
is due to him for the able and satisfactory manner in 
which he has carried out the work of the association. 
Congratulations and votes of thanks were accorded the 
committee and other officials for their services during 
the year. A vote of thanks to Mr. White (vice- 
president) for presiding concluded the business of the 
evening. 
National Chrysanthemum.— Jan. 31st — 
The annual general meeting of this society was held 
bn Monday evening last, under the presidency of Mr. 
Ballantine, who took the chair in the absence—through 
indisposition—of the president, Mr. E. Sanderson. 
There was a good attendance of members. The com¬ 
mittee, in their annual report, recorded with pleasure 
the fact of the past year having been one of unqualified 
success in the annals of the Society. For the first 
time three shows have been held, and each in its way 
has fully justified the new departure. The September 
show was a source of great interest, not only to growers 
of Chrysanthemums, who thus had an opportunity for 
the first time of comparing the merits of the best of the 
early-flowering varieties, but also on account of the 
excellent show of Dahlias and Gladioli, which were 
exceptionally fine, and the committee hope that this 
year the show will assume still larger proportions. The 
November fete excelled that of any previous year ; and 
the January show, in spite of the severity of the 
season, brought visitors and exhibits from all parts of 
England ; and it was generally conceded that in pro¬ 
moting this exhibition the society was doing a most 
useful work, as it clearly proved that the season for 
Chrysanthemums could be satisfactorily prolonged 
during mid-winter. 
Allusion was also made to the publication of the new 
catalogue, which had been well received in all quarters, 
and the thanks of the society were accorded to Messrs. 
Addison, Davis, Payne and Springbett for the time and 
care they devoted to its production. The Floral Com¬ 
mittee had met regularly, and no less than 287 varieties 
had been submitted for the committee’s judgment, and 
forty-four Certificates had been awarded. Arrange¬ 
ments have been made with the Royal Aquarium 
Company for again holding three shows. This entails 
a severe strain upon the resources of the society, and 
the committee trust to the liberality of all lovers of the 
Chrysanthemum to subscribe to the prize fund or to 
become members, as it is only by continued and united 
effort that the usefulness of the society can be main¬ 
tained. The balance sheet showed the total receipts 
from all sources to have been £594 19s. id. , and the 
expenditure £587 15s. 3 d., leaving a balance of 
£7 4s. lek to be carried to the reserve fund. The 
amount awarded in prize money at the three shows was 
£327 18s. (id. , exclusive of Medals. The adoption of 
the report was moved by the chairman, seconded by 
Mr. R. Dean, and carried unanimously. The treasurer, 
Mr. Starling, urged the desirability of increasing the 
reserve fund, which at present was very small for such 
an important society. After some other business of a 
routine character had been disposed of, the officers 
for the year were elected as follows :—President, E. 
Sanderson, Esq. ; vice-president, R. Ballantine, Esq. ; 
treasurer, J. Starling, Esq. ; hon. secretary, Mr. IV. 
Holmes ; auditors, Messrs. Crane and Drain, jun. ; 
and a General Committee of thirty-six members. The 
method of electing the general committee not being con¬ 
sidered satisfactory, it was moved by Mr. Holmes, and 
carried unanimously, “That in future one-third of the 
members of the committee shall retire annually, and 
that the twelve lowest on the poll that evening shall 
be the first to vacate their seats.” Letters were read 
from several donors of special prizes, and these, with 
the preparation of the schedule, were referred to a sub¬ 
committee. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought 
the proceedings to a close. 
-- 
We regret to record the death, on the 30th ult., at 
Northallerton, Yorkshire, of Mr. James F. West, 
late of Lynmouth Lodge, Reigate ; Lynmouth Cottage, 
Bonchurch ; and 11, St. Thomas’s Street, Borough, 
S.E., in his 65th year. Some years ago Mr. West was 
a member of the fruit committee, and for many years 
was one of the auditors of the Royal Horticultural 
Society. On January 26th he was at South Kensing¬ 
ton with Mr. John Lee and Mr. Richards examining 
the accounts, and appeared to be in his usual health. 
The cause of death was heart disease. 
