572 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
May 7, 18S7. 
Deep rosy purple would seem to be the prevailing 
colour, with the outer portion of the labellum of a 
darker tint. We have flowered good pieces of this 
form, and also a plant with four spikes, the sepals and 
petals of which are pure white ; the lip also white with 
only a hand of light purple on the outer part of the 
labellum. This specimen, which we have named the 
Howiek House variety, was bought with others when 
the imported plants were first introduced, and has 
grown well amongst other Cattlevas, such as C. 
Mendelii, C. Triame, Lrelia purpurata, &c., having 
flowered this season for the second time. Last year 
when it bloomed, we exhibited the plant at the 
Manchester Town Hall, and were awarded a First 
Class Certificate by the Manchester Botanical Society. 
— JF. Swan, Hoicick, Preston. 
Odontogdossum crispum with Three 
Spikes. —The plant bearing three spikes from the 
base of one pseudo-bulb referred to on p. 504, and also 
by Mr. De B. Crawshay, p. 540, was bought at Stevens’ 
in 1882, consequently five years have elapsed since it 
was imported. The plant was a small piece then, but 
the pseudo-bulbs have increased in size considerably 
every time it has made fresh growth, so that the 
leading growth is now very strong. Two spikes—one 
from each side of the pseudo-bulb —were about a month 
in advance of the third one, which is now almost past 
Curiously enough the two strongest spikes were pro¬ 
duced on one side, one bearing eight flowers and the 
other eleven ; and from the side producing one spike, 
the young growth is now pushing up. Last year I had 
a plant of 0. crispum which produced a spike from 
each side of the pseudo-bulb, and one from the apex of 
same. This mode of producing three spikes from one 
pseudo-bulb is not, I believe, so rare as the three being 
produced from the base. Mr. De B. Crawshay’s spike 
of 0. Rossi majus with fourteen flowers on one spike 
will, I am afraid, continue to be the highest on record 
for some time to come.— Alex. Wright, Dewnhurst. 
Origin of Pkalaenopsis Stuartiana. —This 
fine Orchid has long been considered a hybrid between 
P. amabilis and P. Schilleriana. The idea has to a 
certain extent been confirmed recently by the result of 
Mr. Seden’s experiments with the parents in question 
in Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons’ establishment at Chelsea. 
The hybrid obtained, however, shows unmistakeably 
the labellum of P. amabilis, the seed parent presumably, 
in the breadth of the terminal lobe, and its basal angles. 
Assuming, however, that the two species in question 
were the parents, it has been argued that we have no 
clue to the spotting on the lateral sepals, so character¬ 
istic of P. Stuartiana, as those of P. amabilis are, as a 
rule, pure white. Colour, however, is very uncertain, 
and often disappears where we should expect to find it, 
and, on the other hand, extends to organs of the flower 
previously unoccupied by it. Quite recently a variety 
of P. amabilis has flowered at Kew, having the lower or 
contiguous halves of the lateral sepals conspicuously 
spotted, as in P. Stuartiana. The latter, as we now 
find it, has a labellum not unlike P. Schilleriana, and 
supposing the hybrid to have occurred in a state of 
nature many hundreds of years ago, ample time and 
opportunity would have been afforded for P. Stuartiana 
to have become modified to its present form. — J. F. 
Lycaste Skinneri. — The pliability and vari¬ 
ability of this species is notorious to those who grow a 
collection. Like all other Lycastes, this species bears 
normally a solitary flower on each scape ; but frequent 
instances occur of two-flowered scapes iu Mr. Peacock’s 
collection at Sudbury House, Hammersmith. The 
tongue or crest on the labellum is another striking 
instance of variability, but is usually more intensely 
coloured than the rest of it. We recently saw an 
instance of a yellow crest ; but in the above noted 
collection a flower with delicate rose petals, and a 
labellum similarly blotched, exhibited a pure white 
crest. This is the more notable seeing that the process 
in question is the last to part with its colour. 
Odontoglossum Edwardi. — The singular 
colour, no less than the fragrance and the profusion of 
flowers, constitutes this one of the most distinct species 
grown, and argue for its reception in every collection 
of any extent. The colour of the flower is rather 
difficult to describe, and at the same time seems to 
vary in individuals; consequently, we hear of it 
described as violet-blue, violet-purple, or mauve with a 
violet tint. Those at Sudbury House, Hammersmith, 
appeared recently of a reddish purple tint. The 
flowers smell of Violets, or. according to some, of 
Violets and Primroses. 
Miltonia Warscewiczii.—The puzzling and 
labyrinthic synonymy with which this plant is fettered 
in gardens is a source of great annoyance, notwith¬ 
standing its distinctness when in flower. Besides the 
above name, Oncidium fuscatum, 0. Weltoni, and 
Odontoglossum Weltoni are all current in gardens, and 
difficult to discard when once they have become dis¬ 
seminated. The sepals and petals are ordinarily of a 
cinnamon-brown, the labellum violet-purple with a 
yellow blotch at the base, a pale margin at the apex, 
and an extremely curious varnished blotch on the 
middle. There are several distinct forms at Gunners- 
bury Park, some of which are much more deeply 
coloured than usual. 
Phalsenopsis Manni.—At first sight this may 
remind one of P. Cornu-cervi ; but it wants the 
peculiarly flattened and notched peduncles of the 
latter, which give rise to the specific name of Stag’s- 
horn. The sepals and petals are much longer com¬ 
paratively than that species, narrow, and blotched 
with brown on a yellow ground ; while the pale yellow 
labellum is furnished with violet tints at the base. It 
is grown as a basket plant at Gunnersbury Park, 
Acton, amongst other East Indian Orchids. 
Cypripediura Stonei.—A healthy well-flowered 
specimen of this noble Orchid may be seen at Gunners¬ 
bury Park, Acton, where Mr. Eoberts has always 
something interesting in the Orchid way, notwith¬ 
standing the amount of cut bloom that is required. 
Three flowers on a stem are generally all that may be 
reckoned upon ; but three stems, each bearing four 
flowers, with their long pendent petals, have a fine 
effect. These latter are of a china-white colour, 
variously suffused and streaked with red, purple, and 
pale yellow. The singular slipper-shaped labellum of 
this species is also strikingly distinct from that of 
other Cypripediums, except C. S. platytsenium and the 
hybrid C. Morganise of that group. 
Dendrobium Devonianum. — Under good 
treatment this lovely Dendrobe is nut to be despised, 
even in a collection that lays some pretensions to being 
of a select nature. Several plants have been gay with 
bloom for some time at Devonhurst, Chiswick, where 
Mr. Wright looks upon it with great favour. The 
flowers are produced in lateral clusters on slender 
stems devoid of foliage during the flowering season, 
and are notable for the exquisitely delicately-fringed 
labellum, which is purple in the throat, with two large 
golden blotches above this oh a white ground. It is 
tipped with purple, as are the sepals and petals ; while 
the latter are unusually dark-coloured and reticulated 
with purple. Unless skilfully managed, this species is 
liable to degenerate or become weak and flower less 
freely in a few years after importation. 
-->Z<-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
The Seedling Tuberous Begonias having now 
made a good start have been removed to the stages 
in the intermediate house, there the growth made will 
be much more satisfactory than if kept in too high a 
temperature ; and when I say that Strawberries in the 
ripening stage are kept on the shelves in this house, it 
will be readily understood that an abundance of air is 
admitted. Keep an eye on all the last season’s bulbs 
which had not started when the first batch were potted 
up, and if no signs of growth are apparent, shake out 
the bulbs to see the cause, which will probably be due 
to rot; or, if sound, then the bulbs may be placed in 
pans or boxes in leaf-mould to induce them to make 
a start. The variety Froebelli may yet be allowed to 
remain dormant, as it is, strictly speaking, an autumn¬ 
flowering variety ; but if the pots are stored in a very 
dry position, it will be advisable to remove them and 
stand them upright in some place, but out of the way 
of drip, or the bulbs will be apt to rot. 
The Pot Koses are now going past, and consequently 
they have been placed in a sheltered position out of 
doors, and their place will at once be taken with 
Tomatos in 12-in. pots, which have been potted on for 
the purpose ; we have never had such a satisfactory lot 
of pot Eoses, the bloom from them having been most 
abundant and of good substance and quality. The kinds 
we mostly grow are Gloire de Dijon, Jules Margottin, 
Baronne Prevost, Marechal Kiel, Le Pactole, and last, 
but best of all, Devoniensis ; this, when worked upon a 
suitable stock, is indeed a perpetual-flowering variety. 
Those put into heat earliest are now growing away 
luxuriantly, with flower buds at almost every break ; 
of course high culture is necessary, that is, by frequent 
feedings and changes of liquid manure, or they will 
soon wear out. They will also require re-potting 
annually ; in fact, all pot Eoses to succeed must be so 
attended to, but directions later on will follow. 
Petunias, &c. —AVe have potted off a good batch of 
double Petunias, autumn-flowering Begonias and other 
things, and put them on the side stages of the inter¬ 
mediate house, where they are under constant attention, 
so very necessary with such an important class of plants, 
for very much depends upon the manner in which 
these plants are grown and the condition of the houses 
later on ; no after care can make amends for neglect in 
this respect now. Pelargoniums are fast coming into 
flower, and consequently require attention ; keep the 
plants frequently turned that the flower may not 
become drawn or one-sided, and manure of some kind 
should be given at every watering, varying it as much 
as possible. Should green-fly make its appearance, 
fumigate at once, taking care that it is not too strong 
a dose ; but rather let it be done upon three consecu¬ 
tive nights lightly. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Muscat Grapes. —AVe have finished the thinning of 
the Muscat Grapes, and by the time these notes appear 
shall also have completed the thinning of the succession 
vineries, thus leaving us only the Lady Downes to 
attend to in this respect. The work has been canned 
on early and late, and glad we are it is out of hand, 
that time may be devoted to other pressing work. As 
soon as possible the late Vines must be gone over, the 
laterals stopped and looped down to prevent injury to 
the foliage by remaining in contact with the glass. 
Although the weather has been unsettled, the rainfall 
has been light, rendering watering of Vine borders a 
necessity. AVe continuously feed our A'ines with Clay’s 
manure, and find the best results from its use. 
The Early Peach Trees should now shortly 
commence the final swelling of their fruit. As soon as 
this is perceived, more generous treatment may be 
followed ; the borders should be frequently watered, 
giving a change always in the manure which may be 
applied. A higher temperature may also with advan¬ 
tage be maintained, particularly at closing time. The 
house may be slightly ventilated through the night, for 
it must be borne in mind that thorough ventilation is 
necessary for the production of good fruit. Let the 
foliage be tied back from the fruits, that they may be 
fully exposed to the light and sun, and so take on a 
good deep colour. 
Through press of work we have not yet heeled in the 
late Peach trees, but time, must be made now that the 
Grape thinning is over. The border of the house has 
been filled with Tomatos in pots, which are trained to 
twine and run in a double row the length of the house, 
and also at each end, but not so as to obstruct light. 
Make regular sowings of Melons and Cucumbers, taking 
care that they are planted out before they become pot- 
bound ; pay due attention to the stopping and training 
of both to prevent overcrowding. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Sowing, &c.—AVe have sown different varieties 
of Kale and late Broccoli, protecting at once with wire 
guards, as the birds make sad havoc just as they are 
bursting through the ground, and frequently much 
mischief is often done before it is noticed. The weather 
continues unsettled, and we hope to take advantage of 
it for planting out our early batch of Celery, immediately 
giving a thorough soaking of water that the removal 
may not cause a check, or bolting is apt to follow. It 
will be advisable now to take off and prick out sufficient 
A r iolet runners for next season’s beds, afterwards forking 
out the old roots and giving a good dressing of mauure 
to the ground, as they are a most exhaustive crop. 
Another matter requiring immediate attention is the 
disbudding of Peach trees ; we have secured a good set 
of fruit and the trees are making a clean free growth, 
at the same time early disbudding is advisable, as 
should green or brown-fly attack them they are so much 
more readily cleansed ; it is also of the greatest benefit 
to the young fruit, which makes but little headway if 
not assisted thus early. Look well to the sowing of 
Radishes and small salad, choosing a cooler position 
from now onwards, as we may reasonably expect hot 
