556 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 30, 1887. 
sub-terminal few-flowered peduncles, and are strikingly 
distinct from all others most usually seen in cultivation. 
The pseudo-bulbs are short, very stout and erect, easily 
accommodated as to house room, and may be grown in 
pots or pans hung up close to the glass in the East 
Indian house The pale creamy yellow colour of the 
large flowers is also strikingly novel, and character is 
given to them by two large deep purple blotches, one 
on each side at the base of the labellum. The flowers 
have also fragrance to recommend them. 
Epidendrum Ghiesbreghtii. —The general 
appearance of this species reminds one of a small form 
of E. macrochilum. Indeed, the ovoid pseudo-bulbs, 
the leaves and the flowers all bear out the resemblance, 
and, no doubt, the plant belongs to that section or 
group. The sepals and petals are brown, while the 
squarish labellum is pure white. Being small in its 
parts and easily accommodated, it may be hung up 
near the glass, which well suits its requirements 
admirably. It is now flowering in Mr. Shuttleworth’s 
collection at Clapham. 
Dendrobium sulcatum. —The sub-terminal 
drooping racemes of this species have the internodes so 
short that the flowers appear a dense yellow mass. 
They appear somewhat similar to D. densiflorum, but 
are smaller and of a fine soft yellow, with a hood-shaped 
labellum striated with a few brown lines. The pseudo¬ 
bulbs are also short, stout, erect and distinct, bearing a 
few large leaves towards the apex. A specimen may 
now be seen flowering in the cool division of the Orchid 
house at Kew. 
Maxillaria grandiflora.— A beautiful and 
rather distinct form of this is now flowering in Mr. 
Peacock’s extensive collection at Sudbury House, 
Hammersmith. The flowers are ordinarily white, with 
the exception of the labellum, which is heavily striped 
and spotted with brown on the lower part, with a 
singularly curious, fleshy and powdery yellow terminal 
lobe. The form we observed the other day exhibited a 
beautiful rose colour in bud, giving rise to expectations, 
which, however, were not realised when the flowers 
expanded, showing themselves to be slightly tinted only, 
internally. 
Dendrobium macrophyllum giganteum. 
—Mr. Latham has now in flower in the Birmingham 
Botanic Gardens, a perfect example of Dendrobium 
macrophyllum giganteum, with fine strong young 
blooming growths, and quite 150 expanded blooms, and 
so fine a plant in flower is rarely met with. Dendrobium 
crepidatum is a comparatively little known Orchid, but 
it is a lovely plant as seen now at the Botanic Gardens. 
A good example of Yanda gigantea is also now in bloom 
amongst the other Orchids. 
Odontoglossum triumphans. —As a species 
this is annually assuming more importance in gardens, 
as we day by day receive fresh evidence. Mr. J. T. 
Poe, Riverston, sends us a flower of striking proportions. 
Neither the sepals nor petals are remarkable for 
individual breadth, but they are heavily coloured with 
a rich chocolate brown, with yellow tips and a few 
transverse yellow bars, which are most dominant, 
however, at the base of the petals. The whole flower 
measures 4f ins. across the sepals, and almost as much 
across the petals. 
Dendrobium Wardianum. —Mr. Poe also 
sends us, from his garden at Riverston, Nenagh, a 
magnificent bloom of the above-named Dendrobe, 
measuring 5 ins. across the petals, while the latter 
have a breadth of 11 ins. The flower was produced on 
a stem developed in Mr. Poe’s garden since the plant 
was imported, and the plant is also flowering for the 
first time since its importation. Messrs. Ireland k 
Thompson, of Edinburgh, send us an even more 
remarkable specimen, measuring 5A ins. across the 
petals, while the individual petals exhibit a 
breadth of 1A ins. The colours of this bloom are of a 
deeper tint than the former, but the magnificence of 
either can scarcely be imagined by those who have not 
seen them. It flowered in Mr. Robert Wilson's col¬ 
lection at Mayfield, Falkirk. 
Vanda teres. —A magnificent sight is to be seen 
in a pit occupied by Yanda teres at Gunnersbury Park, 
Acton, one of the seats of Baron Rothschild, whose 
garden there is kept in admirable order by Mr. J. 
Roberts, his gardener. The pit in question contains 
healthy specimens, grown either in pots or planted 
out, and although the compartment is confined to one 
sash, there are at present thirty spikes of bloom, 
averaging five flowers each, and some have eight. The 
individual flowers are 3 ins. in diameter each way, 
while the flat, rounded, horizontal petals measure 
sometimes 1J ins. in breath. The sepals and petals 
are a soft rosy purple, while the deeply pouched 
labellum is heavily striped with brown, orange and 
purple lines, but several plants show considerable 
variation in the intensity of the colours. The plants 
are kept well supplied with moisture, especially during 
the growing season, while the surface of the soil is 
covered with loose sphagnum. Less atmospheric 
moisture is given during the flowering period. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The Poixsettias which were headed down a few 
days since already show signs of starting into growth ; 
consequently, they have been watered, and are kept 
freely syringed. At the same time they are kept in a 
light, airy, and thoroughly open situation on the stage 
in the intermediate house, so that the growth made 
may not become drawn, which will certainly be the 
case if they are kept in a shaded position, or where too 
high a temperature is maintained. As soon as room 
can be found, we shall transfer ours to a heated frame 
which has been utilised for forcing Asparagus, to which 
use, through the unfavourable weather, it has this 
season been unduly prolonged. 
At the time of pruning back, wood for propagating 
was selected, and the eyes have been inserted and 
placed in a brisk bottom-heat, where they will quickly 
start. Struck thus early, they may be subject to one 
stopping, which will have the effect of giving two or 
three heads instead of one ; added to which the plants 
will be dwarfer in habit than if allowed to grow un¬ 
checked. One great point in the culture of this plant 
is that until it receives its final shift it must never be 
allowed to become pot-bound. Should it do so much 
of the foliage will be lost long before the bracts appear, 
rendering the plants most unsightly. 
Cinerarias and Primulas. —We have made an 
early sowing of Cinerarias, which we hope to have in 
flower by the latter end of November, when they are 
most acceptable for house decoration and for staging 
purposes. Let the pans be kept shaded from strong 
light and sun, or the seed will not germinate freely, 
taking care that the material is removed as soon as 
the little plants appear, or they will be spoiled ; we 
find that for the general cultivation of this plant from 
now onward, a north frame is the most suitable for 
them. We have also potted off a good batch of 
Primulas, although the seed has not germinated so 
freely as usual ; these will be taken care of and placed 
in a little warmth until they start ; then they, too, 
will be placed in the cold frames and treated as Ciner¬ 
arias, only taking the precaution that they are not 
subject to any heavy rains or stormy weather, as the 
foliage is apt to be broken and the plant thus spoiled. 
Bedding Plants. —Use all diligence in the pricking 
out of such things as Lobelia, Phlox Drummondii and 
the hundred-and-one subjects necessary for bedding-out 
and cutting purposes, as once they become stunted in 
the seed-bed one half of their character is destroyed. 
Any temporary-made pit, so long as it can be covered 
with lights, will answer the purpose for pricking them 
out if frames are not available. Let the bedding stuff 
which was removed from the houses be freely ventilated 
preparatory to being placed out of doors, and so make 
room for more tender subjects. 
Single Dahlias have been placed in the pits, where 
their growth ■null be much more satisfactory than if 
kept in the vineries. This also reminds me that it is 
high time the stools which were selected last season 
may be at once planted out in the most suitable positions 
for furnishing cut bloom ; this they will do much more 
abundantly than if seedlings alone are trusted to. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
YiXES.—T hanks to paying strict attention during 
the time the Muscat Yines were in flower, we have 
obtained an abundant set ; and we are now busy tying 
the laterals into position, removing surplus clusters, 
and thinning will at once commence. To leave them 
too long entails much trouble, and there is a great 
probability of many of the berries being injured when 
they become so thick. Another matter, too, requiring 
attention in the thinning of all white Grapes, is the 
keeping of scissors frequently wiped free from moisture, 
or the berries become stained and are unsightly. Many 
growers indulge freely in looping; we consider it 
undesirable, as when the clusters are dished for dessert, 
they never look so well as when allowed to grow 
into position, and are always more or less rubbed. Of 
course, in the case of very heavy shoulders it may be 
advisable; still it should be avoided as much as 
possible. When the Yines arrive at this stage, and as 
soon as thinning is finished, we make a practice of 
sprinkling guano or some other manure upon the 
borders after the houses are closed; it greatly strengthens 
the foliage, and so renders them much better able to 
withstand the attacks of red-spider and thrip. 
The Early Peach Trees have again been gone over, 
and all the wood neatly tied in to the trellis. All 
lateral growths must be pinched out to the first pair of 
leaves. Some growers remove them entirely, which is 
an objectionable practice, as it creates a blank in the 
wood the following season. AVe have gone over the 
earliest Figs, stopping all round at the fourth leaf, and 
tying in all necessary wood. Frequent and heavy 
syringes are advisable in the cultivation of this delicious 
dessert fruit. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Sowing. —As previously stated, the frost 
destroyed the greater part of our first sowing of small 
seeds, so that it was advisable to make another, which 
has been done under glass so as to gain time. As they 
advance they will be pricked out on a prepared bed. 
The early sowing of Celery is now making a good 
growth, and will shortly be fully exposed preparatory 
to planting, the ground for which purpose was prepared 
in February, being heavily manured and double-dug. 
AA T e are so well satisfied with growing this crop on the 
flat that trenches will be abandoned for the future. 
Cardooxs will be grown upon the same square, the 
preparation of the ground suiting both crops. A few 
simple weeds having made their appearance amongst 
the Strawberries, the borders and squares have been 
scuffled. That very early variety, Prince Frederick 
AYilliam, is in flower ; but although so early and free- 
bearing, it is deficient in colour, and we must discard 
it on that account. AVe have also run the hoe through 
the beds of Tripoli Onions, Garlic, and Shallots. The 
lights have been removed from the spring-sown Cauli¬ 
flowers, Brussels Sprouts, and Lettuce, which are 
making a good growth, and must be kept as sturdy as 
possible. 
AVe have planted out the earliest batch of A'egetable 
Marrows—of course, under cover—and in case of frost, 
the box will be matted up at night. AVe have also 
prepared the bed for pricking out the main planting of 
Celery, the sorts we generally grow for standing the 
winter being Superlative and Sandringham. AVe must 
try and put in another sowing of Peas ; but what few 
showers we have had have made no difference to the 
soil, which is like flint. AVe shall also sow half a 
dozen rows of Runner Beans, and a drill or two of late 
Broad Beans.— Walter Child, Croome Court. 
-- 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural. —April 26th .—A very 
interesting and varied display of exhibits was brought 
together at this meeting, for besides the extensive col¬ 
lections of Narcissi, now cut from the open ground, 
Roses and Rhododendrons in themselves produced a 
fine effect. Hardy plants, both herbaceous and alpine, 
had also a very enlivening effect owing to the variety 
of habit and the numerous distinct and striking colours 
occurring amongst them. Add to these the exhibits 
brought forward by the National Auricula Society’s 
Show, and the collections of Primulas and fruit by 
various exhibitors, and it will be seen that it was by 
far the largest and most varied exhibition we have had 
this season. Messrs. Barr k Son, Covent Garden, were 
awarded a Silver Banksian Medal for their extensive 
collection of Narcissi cut from the open ground. It 
was conspicuous for the numerous fine forms of the 
Trumpet Daffodil section, including the new N. 
Johnstoni, which was certificated, numerous forms of 
N. incomparabilis, and the white N. moschatus of 
Haworth. A Silver Banksian Medal was also awarded 
to Mr. T. S. AA'are, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, 
for a group of Narcissi enlivened with a few bulbous 
