May 7, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
571 
Judging from its appearance at The Chestnuts, 
Gunnersbury, the attention and treatment it receives is 
all that is desirable. Good trusses or clusters of bright 
yellow flowers are freely produced ; and the tubular 
corolla is widened upwards, and striped longitudinally 
with yellow lines almost throughout its length. 
Brunsfelsia calycina. —Most of the cultivated 
species of Brunsfelsia are known in gardens under the 
name of Franciscea. The two were previously regarded 
as distinct genera, but the differences are so slight that 
the species are now all included under the name of Bruns¬ 
felsia. The distinctions of Franciscea chiefly rest on 
the tube of the corolla being somewhat curved or bent, 
and widened towards the orifice. The flowers of this 
species are amongst the largest cultivated, and the plant 
is frequently seen in gardens under the names of 
Franciscea violacea or F. v. grandiflora. The flowers 
are about 3 ins. in diameter, and violet or purplish 
violet fading somewhat with age. A huge specimen 
planted out in one of the stoves under the care of Mr. 
Boss, gardener at Pendell Court, Bletchingley, has been 
a mass of bloom for many weeks. 
G-leichenia ^flabellata. — Owing to the pecu¬ 
liarly fan-shaped branching of this Australian Fern, it 
is seen to best advantage when grown as a large speci¬ 
men. Most of the species (of which there are about 
thirty known to science) have dichotomously-branching 
fronds—usually considered stems in popular language ; 
and these being continued or added to by fresh growth 
annually, we get in the present species a series of fan- 
shaped divisions of the frond, produced tier above tier 
till the plant attains a height of at least 4 ft. or 5 ft. 
The individual pinnse are generally about 6 ins. long, 
with linear segments, and produce a fine effect when 
well furnished with fresh growth. A large specimen 
about 4 ft. in height, grown in a tub, may be seen at 
Chiswick in the gardens of the Boyal Horticultural 
Societju 
Jasminum Sambac flore pleno.— For cut 
flowers and stove decoration few, if any of the species 
of Jasminum, surpass this one in general excellence, a 
term which must include its attractiveness, its floriferous 
character and fragrance. It can, moreover, always be 
accommodated in a stove, although it grows to con¬ 
siderable size by training it against a rafter of the 
house as at Gunnersbury Park, where it is greatly 
esteemed. The leaves of this species are perfectly 
undivided and no great ornament, but the pure white 
flowers, whether single or double, as in the present 
case, coupled with their fragrance, will always be in 
requisition. 
Strawberry Cultivation in Pots.— Paying a 
friendly visit to Merewortli Castle, Maidstone, on April 
the 27th with my friend, Mr. Goddard, we were much 
struck with the successful cultivation of the Strawberry 
in pots. The variety grown is Sir Joseph Paxton, and 
it is a favourite with Mr. Markham. In one of the 
houses devoted to the Strawberry were over 2,000 
berries just colouring up nicely. A few here and there 
had been gathered, and each plant was maturing from 
seven to ten grand fruits. The arrangement of the 
foliage and setting up of the fruit was excellent, each 
fruit being exposed to light and air. The adjoining 
house, in which the plants were coming on as a 
succession, was also most promising. Mr. Markham 
told us that he forced about 2,000 plants yearly of Sir 
Joseph Paxton, and I noticed that the plants were 
potted in 24-size pots, which seems to give more robust 
growth, and to develop larger berries than would be 
expected from the usual 32’s. The plants not being 
forced early, also gives them a better chance of producing 
good fruit. I noticed also that all the fruit houses are 
kept free from plants in pots, none whatever being 
allowed in them ; an excellent arrangement where it 
can be carried out. The Vines, Peaches and Nectarines, 
&c., are full of promise, and evidently are well managed. 
The gardens are in admirable keeping, and reflects 
much credit on the able management of Mr. Markham. 
—Robert Smith, Yaiding. 
Eriostemon scaber.— The narrow, linear, warty 
leaves of this species constitute a feature by which it 
may be readily recognised from several others frequently 
found in cultivation, but a variety or form at Gunners¬ 
bury Park, Acton, has much broader leaves than usual, 
and fewer of those glandular warty excrescences which 
furnish a reason for the specific name. The flowers 
are white, tinged with pink, and resemble small orange 
blossoms, while the plant is indeed a member of the 
same extensive family. 
Hutchinsia gracilis.—Those w T ho desire a hardy 
pure white-flowered Alpine plant, would find in this 
Crucifer a dwarf and very attractive subject for the 
decoration of the rockery in spring. Most of the 
family to which this belongs inhabit cool or temperate 
countries, and the freedom with which this is now 
flowering on the rockery at Kew is very gratifying after 
the stormy winter and cold late spring we have just 
passed through, but unfortunately have not yet seen 
the last of. The intense green leavesare small and deeply 
divided or cut, clothing the ground with a green carpet, 
and the base of the flower stems that do not exceed 
2 ins. or 3 ins. in height. When in flower the blooms 
are borne in flat umbel-like racemes, and the effect of 
the aggregation of the flowers in this manner is very 
pleasing, and makes ample amends for their smallness 
individually. 
Sir Watkin Daffodil.—To those who are fond 
of Daffodils (and "who is not ?) this is a bold, striking, 
and handsome variety of the Narcissus incomparabilis 
type, that need only be seen to be appreciated. Messrs. 
James Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester, 
sent us a fine boxful of cut floweis, which, when un¬ 
covered, proved to be delightfully scented. The whole 
flower measures about 4 ins. in diameter—sometimes 
over that—and has sulphury yellow, spreading, im¬ 
bricated segments, after the manner of the N. bicolor 
section, which shows a great improvement on the 
starry-flowered typical N. incomparabilis. The corona 
is a deep golden yellow, lobed and plaited at the ex¬ 
panded mouth ; and is 1 in. in length and rather more 
in diameter, both of which measurements are greatly in 
excess of those of N. incomparabilis. A surprise is in 
store for those who do not yet know the flower, and 
those who do not possess it will be rewarded by adding 
it to their collection. A figure of it is given in The 
Gardening World, Vol. I., p. 489, the uppermost 
figure of the illustration, together with an interesting 
history relating to it. 
The “ R. H. S.” and its Programme.— I am 
pleased to see that you have taken up the cudgels 
against the absurd proposition of the Boyal Horticul¬ 
tural Society to hold a Chrysanthemum conference and 
show on the 8th and 9th of November, which as you 
have so well pointed out, will clash with the dates of 
the two best shows in the kingdom, the “ National ” and 
the “Kingston.” I always thought that the object of 
the “ Boyal ” was to encourage those who were working 
hard to promote the love of flowers amongst the people 
of this country, but I am afraid they are simply 
starting this scheme with the idea of replenishing their 
exchequer, no matter what other society may suffer. 
If this be persisted in, one of two things will happen, 
either their show will be an utter failure, or else there 
will be three poor shows near London at the same time, 
instead of two good ones as has been the case hitherto. 
Anyone taking the trouble to study the report and 
schedule of prizes of the “ National ” just issued, will see 
that this society is doing all that is necessary to 
encourage the growth of the Chrysanthemum ; its 
floral committee meets on September 14th, October 12th 
and 26th, November 9th and 23rd, and December 7th, 
at which any member of the society can attend ; and 
in addition to these an early show will be held in 
September, and the grand show in November, and a 
show of late varieties in January at which prizes are 
offered ranging from 5s. up to £10, and certificates are 
awarded to new or rare productions. The “ National ” 
has some thirty societies in affiliation, to which medals 
and certificates are given, and further, the secretary 
has, I believe, placed himself in communication with 
these societies with the object, if possible, of preventing 
the dates of their various shows clashing, and after 
having done all this, the “ Royal” comes down like a 
wolf in the fold, and promises to spoil everything. Is 
there no neglected branch of horticulture that the 
council can more profitably turn their attention to ? 
If not, then there is no longer any reason for the 
society’s existence, and the sooner it is dissolved the 
better for those societies that are trying to do good 
work in their own quiet way.— H. Flggures, 45, Idmiston 
Road, Forest Lane, Stratford. 
Three-spathed Ricliardia. — Messrs. R, B. 
Laird k Sons, Edinburgh, send us a copy of a drawing 
of a specimen of Ricliardia occurring in their collection 
bearing three spathes on one peduncle. They have 
noted two spathes previously, but the three now men¬ 
tioned appears for the first time. The outer one is of 
the normal size, while the other two are successively 
smaller, and all rolled within each other hose-in-liose 
fashion. If this habit of producing two, three, or 
more spiathes were constant, and could be perpetuated, 
it would add greatly to the value of a plant already 
universally popular. A laudable attempt is being 
made, in the present instance, to fertilise the flowers 
with their own pollen, in view of perpetuating the 
sport. It may be as well to state, however, that the 
same plant may behave differently a second year ; and 
the production of a plurality of spathes is often the 
result of excessive luxuriance of growth. "\\ r e have 
noted a variety of Anthurium very much given to the 
production of numerous spathes or bracts, which, 
however, were small. 
-- 
ORCHID ROT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
The Orchid Growers’ Calendar.— There are 
two things especially which militate against the well¬ 
being of Aerides, Vandas, Saccolabiums, Phalaenopsis, 
and other plants, usually denominated East Indian, 
and they are their being kept too hot, close, and wet 
in winter, and dry in summer. From henceforth these 
plants require a liberal supply of rain water, and to be 
kept in what is generally called a growing temperature, 
viz., moist and warm, but not close. When these 
plants are well drained in their pots and baskets they 
will rejoice in as liberal a supply of water at the roots 
as the cold house plants, but in my opiinion should on 
no account be syringed or watered overhead, although 
in watering a long-stemmed Aerides or Vanda, it is a 
good plan to occasionally let water from a spout drop 
into the axils of the lower leaves. 
Unless in cases where a very gentle and well-regulated 
heating apparatus is at command, the artificial heat 
should be entirely discontinued for the season in the 
cold house, and in all the other houses careful watch 
should be made that, by means of ventilation and the 
distribution of moisture, the proper temperature be 
observed. The remainder of the unpotted Dendrobes 
should now be attended to, and all other Orchids seen 
to be in proper condition of growth and root should be 
re-potted if requiring it ; such as various Anguloas, 
Lycastes, Maxillarias, Oncidiums, Cymbidium ebur- 
neum, &c. When the sun gets bright after the 
protracted dull period we have been having, its rays 
will have a great and injurious effect on many Orchids 
in unshaded houses, or if the shading is not properly 
attended to. For using where roller blinds do not 
reach, or where they cannot be used, “ Williams’ 
Eureka Shading is an excellent thing for painting on 
the glass. 
The Temperatures for the Month of May should 
be, degrees Fahrenheit :—Warm or East Indian House, 
70° to 75° by day, 65° at night ; Cattleya or inter¬ 
mediate house, 65° to 70° by day, 60° at night; Cool 
or Odontoglossum house, 60° to 65° by daj', 55° at night. 
8° or 10° above these figures in the day-time if by sun- 
heat, and the houses are properly shaded, damped and 
ventilated, will do no harm .—James O'Brien. 
Cattleya Lawrenceana. —This new and in¬ 
teresting addition will now be flowering in many 
collections, and though, perhaps, at first the blooms 
were a little disappointing, there is no doubt that this 
spring many growers, having at least some idea of the 
form and colour of the flowers, will accord the fresh 
blooms a heartier welcome than when they first appeared 
twelve months ago. Already eight and nine flowers 
have been produced on a spike ; and when such num¬ 
ber become the rule lather than the exception, greater 
satisfaction regarding this species will be manifested 
than when only the two or three flowers appear, as has 
often been the case hitherto. 
There would seem to be variety and distinct forms in 
this species ; most, however, have the round furrowed 
bulbs, very similar in appearance to C. speciosissima. 
A dark purple colour pervades the whole of the leaves 
and bulbs, though in some cases the bulbs are dark in 
colour whilst the leaves are green. The growth which 
is made during the summer, usually brings up a 
lengthened sheath, this remains quiet and dormant 
until February, when the buds will begiii to show at 
the base ; at first their progress is very slow, but with 
light and warmth and a little extra moisture they come 
away, so that when the buds have reached the top of 
the sheath, at last they push quickly through and 
develop very rapidly, and in a day or two expand in all 
their freshness and beauty. 
