412 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 26, 1887. 
as above mentioned, regarding the crops gathered from 
1860-70. In passing, I may note that in some parts of 
that country the Apple tree appears to be on the high¬ 
road to the same fate. "Whole orchards look as if 
scorched by a mighty thunderbolt. The young wood 
of last season was mostly dead, and the leaves in general 
were of a rusty hue. There were some Apples, too, 
but judging from the appearance of the trees, it would 
not be difficult to predict that they would be very 
inferior in quality. Now, it would be interesting to 
know in what way, or by what cause, this radical 
change comes about, when it is declared by many who 
should certainly know, that there is no appreciable 
diminution of sun-heat.— D. Chisholm, Edinburgh. 
-- 
ORCHID NO TES AND GLEANINGS. 
Orchids at Messrs. James Veitch & 
Sons’. —Notwithstanding the fogs, and damage to 
the flowers arising from them, a good display of bloom 
is to be found at the Royal Exotic Nursery. In the 
large Cattleya house some hundreds of good forms of 
Cattleya Trian® are in flower, although large quantities 
of them have been prevented from coming to perfection 
by the cause named, a mischief which the fine Vandas, 
just coming into bloom, and well-sheathed L®lia pur- 
purata, Cattleya Mossiae, and C. Mendelii will, how¬ 
ever, escape. The bright yellow Laelia flava, the 
orange-scarlet L. harpophylla, several very large Den- 
drobium Wardianum, Cattleya bicolor, and some very 
fine Cymbidiums are also in bloom or bud in the large 
Cattleya house. 
The cool houses are well supplied with the flowers of 
numerous Odontoglossum crispum, 0. Pescatorei, O. 
Edwardii, 0. Cervantesii, 0. Rossii majus, 0. blandum, 
0. Andersonianum, 0. cirrhosum, 0. Oerstedii; and, 
for comparison, a grand piece of 0. Oerstedii majus, 
with six spikes of, in all, sixteen flowers—quite twice 
the size of the ordinary form ; some time ago Messrs. 
Shuttleworth, Carder & Co. were lucky enough to get 
a small lot of this fine plant over. Also in bloom, in 
the cool houses, are some good Cymbidium eburneum, 
Dendrochilum glumaceum, Odontoglossum Krameri, 
many Ccelogyne cristata, Epidendrum Endresii, On- 
cidium Cavendishianum, 0. unguiculatum, many Laelia 
anceps and L. albida, Zygopetalum crinitum, the 
charming Pleurothallis ornata, many Lycaste, one 
large plant of L. Skinnerii alba having six flowers ; 
and, in bud, several immense plants of Oneidium 
macranthum. 
In the Phalfenopsis house there is a good show of 
Phalsnopsis, especially P. Schilleriana and P. Stuart- 
iana, together with a plant or two of the rare spotted 
form of the latter, P. S. punctatissimum, Angreecum 
citratum, A. sesquipedale, several Odontoglossum 
Roezlii, and the grand variety of Saccolabium illustre, 
previously alluded to by us. The Cypripediums have 
in flower C. tonsum, C. Stonei, C. Haynaldianum, C. 
Harrisianum, C. Dauthieri, C. vermicum, C. Dorman - 
ianum, C. calurum, C. Sedeni, C. S. candidulum, C. 
calophyllum, C. Meirax, C. villosum, C. argus and C. 
barbatum O’Brieni, which is the handsomest of the 
biflorum section. 
The Dendrobes in flower are the several varieties of 
D. nobile, D. crassinode, D. Boxalli, D. Dominianum, 
D. speciosum, D. endocharis and D. Ainsworthii, with a 
vast improvement on the last-named in a new variety 
blooming now for the first time ; in habit of growth, 
size and colour of flowers, and every other respect, it is 
the best of the section. Another new and lovely Den- 
drobe, D. enosmum leucopterum, a hybrid between the 
neat little D. endocharis and D. nobile is also in bloom. 
It is white with a dark spot on the labellum, and it 
forms a very acceptable and pretty addition to the 
genus. 
Orchids from the Woodlands, Streat- 
ham. —Mr. R. C. Fraser sends us a box containing a 
large assortment of different species, presenting a 
beautiful combination of varied and striking colours. 
The Cattleyas and Dendrobiums were simply superb, 
from their great size and rich attractive colouration. 
The following are his observations : “ The rose colour 
observable in the lip of C. Than® alba diminishes as 
the flower gets old, but it is a splendid form. Another 
variety is the finest I have ever seen of a dark C. 
Than® ; it is from an importation of Sander last year, 
and is a fine plant with eight leads ; C. T. superba is 
from a fine plant with twenty flowers. Enclosed, find 
the Popayan variety of C. Than®. [The tube is very 
long with a rich maroon-purple lamina and deep yellow 
throat.] C. T. rosea looks pretty with two or three 
spikes of bloom as we have it just now. We are rather 
puzzled with a large plant bought from the Lovat 
collection as a very fine Mossi® ; the result is that 
already three varieties have flowered from the same pot; 
one is an exceedingly fine C. T. alba, the other an 
equally good dark-lipped C. Trian®, and the third 
before you makes six as distinct varieties of C. Trian® 
as could be got together.” 
“ I send a few varieties of Dendrobium nobile, 
mostly from plants imported a year ago. [Very fine 
indeed.— Ed.] Also fine D. Ainsworthii, from a plant 
bearing over 100 fully expanded flowers ; and D. A. 
roseum and D. A. Leechianum. Several forms of D. 
Wardianum are also from imported plants. The Den¬ 
drobiums on the whole have done well of late ; they 
evidently enjoy the new quarters given them last year. 
Fancy a pseudo-bulb of D. Ainsworthii, less than 1 ft. 
in length, with two dozen blooms open ! 
“It cost an effort to send the spike of L®lia flava. 
The piece consists of twenty-four pseudo-bulbs, bearing 
at present three spikes of bloom ; it is an old plant 
from the Hanbury collection, and does well here. My 
belief is that Coelogyne cristata (Chatsworth var.) and 
C. c. maxima are one and the same thing ; seven 
flowers are the most produced by either with us. 
Lycaste plana Measuresiana turned up from one of 
Mr. Sander’s importations last year, when it then 
threw up one weak spike. We were much struck with 
it, and divided the plant into six, all of which have 
flowered freely, one bearing ten flowers. The plant 
shown at South Kensington at the last meeting, and 
which obtained a Certificate, was part of the original 
plant. We have Lycaste Skinneri alba in flower just 
now, and one pseudo-bulb bears fifteen flowers. Some 
of the scapes are twin-flowered, and both fully expanded 
at the same time.” 
Saccolabium bellinum. —This charmingly 
pretty species is now in flower at Cambridge Lodge, 
and is a great favourite with Mr. Measures, and, 
indeed, with everyone who sees it. The curious baggy 
labellum adorned with its white woolly-looking fila¬ 
ments, the yellow, white and crimson colouration, 
combined with the umbellate inflorescence, at once 
arrests attention and commands admiration. Saeeo- 
labium Harrisoni is a white-flowered species of the 
racemose section, generally seen in small plants, and 
with poor spikes. Mr. Measures’ variety, however, is 
an admirable one ; the spikes are long, and the flowers 
are large and pure white. The collection at Cambridge 
Lodge of these lovely plants has come to the front with 
a rush ; less than two years ago the nucleus only was 
formed, and now there is a really grand lot of plants, 
some sections being especially fine, viz., Vandas, 
Cattleyas and Cypripediums. Odontoglossums are also 
well represented, and the whole collection is in admirable 
condition, exhibiting every sign of good culture. Many 
fine blossoms had been entirely spoiled by the late fogs, 
and it is doubtful if the fine spike of “ Phaius tuber- 
eulosus” will survive its influence.— G. J. 
Calanthes with Branching Spikes —In 
reply to your correspondent, Mr. N. Blandford (p. 380), 
I am able to state that although it is unusual to find 
Calanthe vestita with a branching spike, it is not 
unknown. I have myself found a plant growing wild 
with a branching spike. I also last year in the 
Moulmein district found a plant of Limatodes rosea 
with a branching spike. As Calanthe Veitchii is a 
hybrid between “Calanthe vestita” and “Limatodes 
rosea,” it is possible that this may also produce a 
branching form occasionally.—A 1 . S. Berkeley. 
Ccelogyne lentiginosa.— Amongst the smaller 
flowered kinds this is one of the more important, 
possessing in a measure both conspicuous and attractive 
flowers. The latter are also scented, but by many the 
odour would probably not be considered fragrant, 
although it is by no means positively disagreeable. 
Four to six flowers are borne on an erect raceme, and 
for that reason the species belongs to the section 
Erect®. The sepals and petals are pale yellow, varying 
in different varieties with pale green or straw colour ; 
and we have even seen plants exhibiting several shades 
in the same pot. Probably, however, there were 
separate individual plants in the same pot exhibiting 
these various shades of colour. Normally the labellum 
is pale or creamy yellow, with two large orange blotches 
near the tip, a few red lines along the centre, and 
blood-red edges to the lateral lobes. The species is 
easily managed, flowers regularly about this time, and 
merits the attention of cultivators where the collec¬ 
tion is anything beyond a limited selection. Coming as 
it does from Moulmein, it requires the temperature of 
a warm or intermediate house to develope it properly. 
A figure of it is given in the Botanical Magazine, t. 5958, 
and flowering specimens may be seen at Gunnersbury 
Park. 
Cattleya Percivaliana.—Whatever opinion 
may be held about bad varieties of this plant, there is 
no question about the beauty of good ones. A superb 
form has just flowered with the Rev. Mr. Kinleside at 
Sunbury House, Tunbridge "Wells. It is above the 
ordinary size, and has sepals and petals of warm rose- 
pink ; the labellum is a rich piece of colouring—in the 
centre blackish maroon, within the tube orange, the 
whole shading into velvety crimson towards the broadly 
frilled edge of the lip. 
Cypripedium villosum.—Avery fine specimen 
plant of Cypripedium villosum, highly coloured, is to 
be seen at the Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, just 
now, having thirty-six fine blooms on it. It is a fine 
form of C. villosum, one of the handsomest of the 
genus. Phal®nopsis Stuartiana is also in bloom there 
just now, and is__both distinct and beautifuL 
--- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Fuchsias.— The batch of Fuchsias placed in heat for 
early flowering, as previously advised, will now be ready 
for re-potting ; be careful to use a light compost. One 
of the very best materials for the purpose is spent 
Mushroom-bed manure, with the addition of a good 
sound light loam ; as growth proceeds feed with liquid 
manure copiously. Let it be borne in mind that this 
first early batch, after being rested, will come in 
admirably for late summer decorative work, and well 
repay the attention bestowed. Where the stock of any 
variety is short, the pinchings may be made into 
cuttings, and will be found most useful for the front 
row in staging ; at the same time it is desirable that 
the main stock should be struck late in the previous 
season, and kept in store pots until started in the 
spring. These will be found to make excellent plants 
for all purposes, and will take the place of many of the 
older stock. 
Chrysanthemums. —We have potted off the whole 
of our Chrysanthemums, returning them to a specially 
prepared place in a heated pit; of course, the valves 
will only be opened in case of unfavourable weather. 
We prefer to cover with mats at night rather than 
resort to fire-heat, as they are so impatient. If the 
weather is very bright (as now), it will be necessary to 
partially shade for a time to prevent flagging, always 
to be avoided in the culture of this plant; dew over with 
the syringe early in the afternoon, closing the pit at the 
time, and they will quickly establish themselves in the 
new soil. Most of the autumn-flowering plants, if 
plunged as advised, will now afford a full supply of 
cuttings, which should at once be taken off and inserted 
in an open compost, the pots to be plunged in a brisk 
bottom-heat to insure a rapid strike ; the quicker they 
strike root, the healthier will the stock be. As they 
are sufficiently advanced, they may be removed to make 
way for others, of which there is an abundance just 
now. 
Petunias. —Where Petunias are in demand—and 
surely they are worthy of every attention—and any 
selected plants have been kept over for perpetuating, 
they should at once be placed in a gentle heat, so 
that cuttings may be taken ; after these are secured 
the old stools may be thrown away. Let the cuttings 
be closely shaded ; in fact, if inserted in sand and water 
they strike more readily than in any other way, but 
should never be allowed to flag. We have sown a 
couple of packets of some of the choicest advertised 
double-flowering varieties, as we find them extremely 
useful for summer decoration ; many of the flowers, 
too, are deliciously scented, and extremely useful for 
cutting purposes ; and I would advise all who have not 
yet devoted much attention to them to give them a 
good trial. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vines. —Seldom, indeed, is the month of February 
so favourable as has been the case this season so far ; 
little or no rain, with plenty of light and sunshine—it 
has been, indeed, all that the most ardent “forcer” 
could desire, insuring, as it does, abundant tissue to the 
growth made by all plants. Vines are particularly 
benefited by this bright clear weather ; and those who 
may have a house in flower just now, may consider 
themselves favoured meteorologically, and should have 
no difficulty in obtaining an abundant “set.” The 
succession houses, too, are making rapid progress, but 
to keep them in place, extra ventilation during the 
day may be had recourse to, with a correspondingly low 
night temperature ; but do not go to extremes, as the 
young growth of the Vine is very tender, as also the 
clusters of flower which are so prominent in healthy 
and vigorous Vines. 
The second Peach House is making good progress, 
and will quickly be in flower. We keep this house 
very steady in case of the crop being required by a 
special date, as is frequently the case ; the trees are 
syringed twice a day, and a comfortable state maintained, 
and the buds are swelling up satisfactorily. We have 
