f 374 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 12, 1887. 
Maw said that it had been lost to cultivation for more 
than 200 years. Karcissus calathinus, figured in The 
Narcissus, its History and Culture, by Burbidge and 
Baker, t. 14, has a short and vide corona; hut that of 
Redoute and the Revue Horticole, 1870, p. 89, has a 
long narrow or cylindrical corona, intermediate between 
the first quoted and the variety eyclamineus, where the 
corona is somewhat widened at the mouth. 
-- 
ANEMONE FULGENS. 
This is in its way the most conspicuous plant in the 
spring garden, and may well be styled “the glare of the 
garden. ” The fiery scarlet of its flowers and the numbers 
which are produced from strong clumps, make it one 
of the most striking plants of spring. It is of easy 
culture, takes readily to the majority of soils, giving 
preference to those of a light loamy character however, 
and may be had in flower for several months of the 
year, by planting successional batches of its rhizomes. 
By planting it at various times from September to the 
end of March, flowers may he had from the very 
dawn of spring till midsummer, and it is no less 
welcome at the latter date than the former ; for even 
then it comes before the scarlet Pelargonium has begun 
its annual round of flowering. One word more I may 
say about it, namely, that it is a vigorous-growing 
plant about 6 ins. to 12 ins. high, and should he 
in every collection of hardy plants. On some soils, and 
particularly those which are cold and clayey, it is apt 
to deteriorate and sometimes perish. To remedy this 
evil, it should be lifted annually and receive a prolonged 
drying off, unless the soil can be lightened by mixing 
it with sharp sandy grit or peat and leaf soil. It is in 
reality not suited for cold retentive soils, and requires 
a little more attention in such cases. Still, it is such 
an indispensable plant that it merits any special treat¬ 
ment to make it a success. Finally, never discard any 
shrivelled roots, for it is simply surprising how quickly 
they plump up and resume an active growth.— E. J. 
_ 9 _ 
SYRINGING ORCHIDS. 
This practice, which is causing some discussion in 
your columns, is one which is well worth working out 
in theory, and also carefully watching for results. Like 
everything else, in Orchid-growing there is much to he 
said on both sides ; and the only way to arrive at a 
satisfactory conclusion is by the careful experience of 
several seasons. Our summers differ so much in the 
amount of sunshine or dull rainy days, that what 
answers one year may result in much evil the next. In 
an article of ordinary length, it will be impossible to 
exhaust the subject, so that it will be better to notice a 
few plants which have been mentioned generally. 
Several of your correspondents object especially to 
Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, &c., being syringed at 
all. For years I have been in the habit of syringing 
these twice a-day during the summer, providing the 
day was fine, and, so far, have not seen plants which 
surpassed in health those so treated ; at the same time, 
the syringe was not allowed to be used by careless or 
inexperienced hands. 
In early spring, when young roots began to push, 
the treatment was commenced, on bright days, soon 
after noon, when the house was closed, the water used 
being of the same temperature as the atmosphere. A 
nozzle-syringe was held as far as convenient amongst 
the plants, the finger being pressed close in order to 
direct the water in a very fine spray upwards among the 
leaves, sufficient to leave moisture on each leaf, hut not 
so much as to cause it to run down into the heart of the 
plant. As summer advanced, with more air admitted 
and longer days, the practice was commenced early in 
the morning, and repeated again about four in the 
afternoon, allowing the house to become rather dry 
during the middle of the day. Vandas were always 
grown in the cooler and more airy Cattleya house ; 
Dendrobiums I have grown under both systems, with 
as nearly as possible the same results. 
Where syringing is practised, the house should have 
less shading and more air than where damping floors 
and staging alone is the rule. Until the young growths 
are a few inches high, it is by far the safest plan not 
to syringe ; but afterwards it may be done on fine 
days. 
Where very thin tiffany shading is used, or the glass 
is whitened permanently in ordinary stoves, Den- 
drobium nobile and D. Wardianum grow well under 
this treatment, in the hands, sometimes, of men who 
do not even know the names of such plants. In 
passing, I may say that the finest plant of Cattleya 
Harrisoni I have ever seen has been under this treat¬ 
ment for a great number of years in the same pot in 
which it started, but of which it has long ago become 
independent so far as the inside and compost are 
concerned ; the outside is covered with roots which 
increase in number annually. Cool Orchids have been 
grown successfully under the syringe with more air 
and light, but I never was satisfied with them when, 
as an experiment, one part of the house has been 
syringed and the whole treated as if no difference was 
made. 
Mexican Lrelias and Epidendrums delight in a good 
bath on bright days with little or no shade and an 
abundance of air. Vanda teres and V. Hookerii are 
treated similarly. Dendrobium Jamesianum and nearly 
all the nigro-hirsute section will bear any amount of 
water, but require more shading than others. There 
are many Orchids which I have grown successfully. 
under the syringing treatment, a list of which I shall 
be pleased to give at a future time if it will assist any¬ 
one interested in this question. — IF. Baxter, Shackle¬ 
ford, Woking. 
-- 
OLD v. NEW POTATOS. 
I have, on more than one occasion, sung the 
praises of my especial favourite Potato, Wormleigh- 
ton Seedling ; but have always been answered that 
it was identical with Magnum Bonum. Only yester¬ 
day we opened the hill of "VVormleighton’s ; and 
so that Magnum Bonum should have a fair and 
impartial trial, we took out from an adjoining hill a 
few of the latter for testing. When served at table, 
the Wormleigliton’s were dry, floury and of the best 
flavour ; while the Magnums were somewhat close, not 
in comparison so far as flavour goes, and also lacking 
the fine white and floury appearance of the former. I 
have heard from many good judges that The Colonel 
and Village Blacksmith would undoubtedly come to 
the front. These two varieties I have grown this 
season, and carefully tested with the following result. 
The Colonel is, indeed, a noble tuber, and as good as it 
is handsome. I cannot praise it more than by saying 
that it equals Wormleighton Seedling itself; but 
Village Blacksmith should be put in the same category 
as International Kidney—not edible. Seven of them 
were cooked for trial, every one of which proved to 
be hollow, this extending nearly through the whole 
tuber. 
I may now notice Sutton’s Reading Russet, which is 
good in every form and shape ; the lightness of the flesh 
when boiled is remarkable, and the flavour first-rate. 
Sharp’s Victor is also a very excellent variety, and well 
worth cultivating. Paterson’s Victoria is also an 
especial favourite here, but the disease thins the crop 
wonderfully ; still, as a late keeper it has few equals. 
Sutton’s Reading Hero grows here wonderfully strong 
and good ; not one diseased tuber have I ever seen of 
it, and I look upon it as well worth growing. Prime 
Minister is a really fine variety, large in size, smooth 
in outline, an abundant cropper, and first-rate in 
flavour.—A. Gilbert, Burghlcy. 
-—--- 
NEW PLANTS CERTIFICATED 
By the Floral Committee of the R.H. S. 
February 8 th, 1887. 
OdONTCGLOSSUM CRISPUM LEOPARDINUM. 
The sepals of this grand variety are boldly blotched 
with deep chestnut-brown on a white ground ; the 
petals are similarly marked, and otherwise characterised 
by the margin being irregularly and more or less deeply 
cut. The markings of the finely fringed labellum 
are also well sustained, while the basal part has the 
usual complement of yellow. The flowers on the plant 
shown were both numerous and large, so that we have 
in this fine novelty another valuable addition to the 
already numerous list of cold-liouse Odontoglossums. 
Exhibited by H. M. Pollett, Esq., Fernside, Bickley. 
Pachystoma Thomsoxiaxa. 
The radical scapes of this tropical “Vest African 
epiphyte bear from two to four comparatively large 
and conspicuous, showy flowers. The sepals and petals 
are lanceolate, acuminate and pure white, while the 
three-lobed labellum is a rich intense purple, with paler 
lines along the basal and lower half, and the lateral 
lobes more or less stained green. The middle lobe is 
drawn out to a great length and reflexed, and, together 
•with the green-purple-spotted column, constitutes the 
most conspicuous feature of the flower. It is the only 
representative of the genus from Africa, and the best 
for cultivation. Exhibited by "W. Vanner, Esq., Camden 
Wood, Chislehurst. 
Lycaste plana Measuresiaxa. 
The special beauty of this variety resides in the 
petals and labellum, which are pure white, closely 
spotted all over with deep reddish purple. These 
organs also stand erect, with revolute tips, and form 
at once the central and strongest feature of the flower, 
contrasting strongly with the large spreading sepals, 
which are brown tinged with green. A number of 
flowers are produced from the base of a single pseudo¬ 
bulb. Exhibited by Mr. B. S. Williams, Victoria and 
Paradise Xursery, Upper Holloway. 
Primula sinensis, Snowflake. 
The flowers of this variety are large, flat and well 
fimbriated. They are also well thrown up above the 
foliage, over which they form a compact mass of snowy 
whiteness until fading with age. The large angled 
yellow eye forms a fine contrast to the rest of the 
corolla. The Fern-leaved foliage is ample, and con¬ 
stitutes another good feature of the plant when well 
grown. Exhibited by Messrs. J.Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Primula sinensis, Purity. 
In this form we have another to the list of good 
whites that will in time oust the others now in culti¬ 
vation from gardens. The truss of bloom is well 
thrown up above the foliage, while the individual 
flowers are of great size and purity. As in the other 
forms, the large yellow eye is well defined ; the foliage 
is also of the Fern-leaved type. Exhibited by Mr. 
J. James, Woodside, Farnham Royal, Slough. 
Primula sinensis, Cannell’s White Perfection. 
The foliage of this grand variety is of the fern-leaved 
type and very robust, with the individual leaves assum¬ 
ing an ascending or semi-erect condition, forming a 
huge rosette, from the centre of which the bold flower 
spike bears the flowers well up. The latter are large, 
pure white, much fimbriated and flat, with a large 
angular yellow eye ; a very fine novelty indeed. 
Exhibited by Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley. 
Primula sinensis, Brightness. 
The foliage of this form is of the ordinary plain¬ 
leaved type, and, as is usual in dark-flowered forms, the 
foliage is tinted in a similar manner. The flowers are 
medium-sized, semi-double and of an intense red colour. 
It appears to be floriferous, and is welcome for its bright 
colours. Exhibited by Messrs. Cannell & Sons, Swanley. 
-- 
THE OPERATION OF POTTING. 
( Concluded from p. 358.) 
The directions given at p. 358 may seem rather 
tedious to some, but if followed out will not be found so. 
The plants, when potted, should be placed in a warm 
house and kept moist, when they will soon take fresh 
root. If they require to be shifted into larger pots, 
a few weeks of this treatment will suffice, when they 
will be ready to be brought back to the shed to have a 
shift, as it is generally termed. This operation is 
easily performed with soft-wooded plants by taking the 
60-sizcd pot in the hand, as before recommended, and 
giving it a sharp knock on the bench. The little ball 
of soil readily slips out, and, taking the crocks away, 
it is placed in the larger pot and filled up, as before 
advised. In addition to the sharp knocks to settle the 
soil, a little more pressure from the thumbs is neces¬ 
sary to make the soil firm round the ball of roots. 
This is needful, seeing that the plant, as it acquires 
strength, requires something firmer into which the 
roots may work. If the plants require further potting, 
the soil should be made firmer at every shift. As the 
shift becomes larger, so must the soil that is placed 
over the crocks be made proportionately firm. 
Hard-wooded Plants. —Plants of firmer texture 
also require a firmer soil in which to grow. For all 
plants such as Heaths, Epacris, Pimelias, and the 
general run of greenhouse subjects, a very different 
plan must be adopted. In the first place, the rooted 
cutting must be potted firmer, and the more so at 
every shift. Greater care should be exercised in turning 
out the plant, and in placing the soil round the ball. 
Be more careful that the soil is properly pressed equally 
all round the pot. A few words of caution as to the 
