May 14, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
583 
scape is erect and many flowered, while the sepals and 
petals are ligulate, and green spotted or blotched with 
brown. The upper sepal and the petals are usually 
distinctly dilated above the middle. The labellum is 
wedge-shaped at the base with two small triangular 
auricles, while the lamina is dilated and bifid, white 
with numerous velvety veins of a violet colour. 
The callus at the base is fleshy furrowed and two 
lobed. Z. Mackayi is distinguished by its suddenly 
dilated labellum not being wedge-shaped at the base.— 
Rcichcnbacliia, t. 10. 
Odontoglossum Insleayi rplendens. 
Of several varieties now in commerce, this is one of 
the most distinct and desirable, and the flowers vary 
in individual forms to some extent, but this is greatly 
influenced by cultivation. The whole flower w'ould 
measure about 4 ins. in diameter, and the sepals and 
petals are of a deep shining chestnut-brown, with here 
and there faint streaks of yellow. The decided tone 
of the latter organs afford a fine contrast to the chrome- 
yellow labellum, which is characterised by a marginal 
line of irregularly shaped reddish crimson blotches.— 
Reichenbachia, t. 7 V 
Cypripedium Io. 
Whoever knows Cypripedium Lawrencianum and C. 
Argus, will probably recognise the affinities of this mule; 
and the fine marbled foliage recalls that of C. Law- 
renciana, as does the conspicuous upper sepal. This 
latter organ is broadly rotund cuspidate, greenish along 
the centre, with darker veins and purple towards the 
sides, passing into white at the margins and tip, with 
deep purple veins. The slightly deflexed petals are 
green, finely blotched with a dark purple, almost black 
colour, and rosy brown towards the tip, resembling 
those of C. Argus ; the labellum is brown. The mule 
was raised by Mr. Norman C. Cookson, Wylam-on- 
Tync.— Reichenbachia, t. 23. 
Saccolabium Hendersonianum. 
Whilst this is one of the smaller-growing kinds it is 
really a gem in its way, and more distinct than many 
of the larger-growing popular species, such as S. 
guttatum, S. Blumei, &e. The oblong distichous, 
drooping pale green leaves, remind one of small Phal- 
fenopsis, while they also exhibit a striking contrast to 
the cylindrical erect, densely flowered inflorescence. 
The flowers are of a uniform bright rosy red, with the 
exception of the rather conspicuous spur or pouch. It 
was originally introduced from Borneo, about thirty 
years ago, and again previous to 1874 .—Orchid Album, 
t. 275. 
---»X<—-- 
§ARDENING |?0TES FROM 
Scotland. 
Vegetables. — Tomatos are not now largely grown 
outside in northern gardens, and it is not desirable to 
attempt their culture on an extensive scale in untoward 
climates without the aid of glass protection. However, 
there are many w'ho cannot afford to spare glass for the 
cultivation of many things which they desire to have, 
and it is often more profitable to purchase various 
items than to grow them under unfavourable circum¬ 
stances. But the pleasure of seeing them grow, and 
feeling they are one’s own, much conduces to the 
enjoyment which esculents (as well as flowers, &c.) 
give to proprietors of gardens. The consumption of 
Tomatos is evidently on the increase, and it is not 
always agreeable to have those which have been packed 
in sawdust, &c., and have travelled far before they are 
put under culinary manipulation. To grow' them out¬ 
side in the north entails extra labour in the early stages 
of their growth, so that plants, coming into flower, 
may be ready about the end of May or early in June 
for planting in their fruiting quarters. They should 
be established in good-sized pots—the latter to have the 
holes enlarged for the emission of roots downward. If 
the plants are well prepared by exposure to air, they get 
little check when placed against walls, boarded fences, 
or on slopes formed in front of hedges ; slates placed 
on such sunny positions, on which to lay the plants, are 
very suitable for Tomatos. We are not favourable to 
the starving system of growing these fruits, though 
(like Melons and Cucumbers) they do well in curtailed 
space when good nourishment is allowed for the roots. 
Our early crop of Tomatos are at the ripening period ; 
they have been grown at the back of a plant-house, 
with the following treatment:—A large pot is nearly 
filled with rich soil, rammed firmly. The plant 
established in a pot of smaller size is put into the larger 
one, and allowed to root through at the bottom. The 
stems are strong and short jointed, with plenty of 
fruit on them ; but single stems only are retained, all 
laterals being rubbed off as soon as they appear. The 
flowers are thinned, leaving three to six fruits on each 
bunch. We prefer free growth and strong stems when 
space allows it. Our earliest Melons are grown in the 
same manner as the Tomatos this season. 
In a warm house filled with Gardenias, Crotons, 
Anthuriums, &c., large pots are plunged along the 
front, with bottom heat from pipes. In these are 
placed pots (with the plants) of a smaller size, and 
well packed into the soil, which have rooted through 
and filled the larger pots with roots. Setting has 
given no trouble ; there are about three to five fruits 
allowed to swell, and they are now in various stages 
up to the ripening period. Single stems are retained, 
and not stopped till they reach the top of the house. 
The extra airing does not injure the pot-plants, as the 
Melons to some extent shield them from draughts. 
This is an old practice which we commenced some 
twelve or fifteen years ago, and by it we never had any 
difficulty in producing an abundance of good Melons. 
Having full command over tops and roots, forcing is 
reduced to great simplicity. 
Vegetable Marrows. —In late districts these are 
got early by an early start with the- plants, and if they 
are large they can be treated the same as Tomatos, by 
growing them in large pots and allowing them to root 
through into the soil prepared for them ; protection 
with the ordinary garden hand-light or ‘ ‘ plant pro¬ 
tectors ” brings them on rapidly, and then they may 
have plenty of room to develop their growth and pro¬ 
duce fruit. Crowding of the stems and foliage is an 
evil often seen, u'hich is against free fruiting and often 
brings the plants to a premature end by causing the 
stems to decay. 
French Beans are not so easily raised outside as 
they formerly were ; they are so liable to destruction 
by the slightest frost. If the seeds can be raised in 
small pots, under glass protection, and planted out in 
a warm position when strong, they soon take to the 
soil and will bear abundantly. Such early kinds as 
Newington Wonder and Ne Plus Ultra are soon into 
flower. Negro is among the hardiest of kinds and suit¬ 
able for cold districts ; we have a lot planted in pots 
placed under a south wall, and will most likely be in 
good time for planting out at the end of May or early in 
June ; such plants are not coddled through protection. 
Scarlet Runners are planted in well-prepared ground, 
but I do not expect they will be much earlier than 
those planted about the end of May. We prefer to 
keep them dwarf, and thus get abundance of pods with¬ 
out the trouble of staking the plants. 
Dahlias and Tuberous-rooted Begonias 
are often unsatisfactory in flowering. In many cases 
this arises from lateness in starting the plants ; they 
should be grown on till they are of a good size, in large 
pots, and when showing flower, about the first or 
second week in June, may be planted out in kindly 
soil then warmed by the sun. If the plants are starved 
or stunted at first they will make a poor show in cold 
and late localities. — Caledonian. 
Scottish Horticultural Association. —A 
very largely attended meeting of the Scottish Horti¬ 
cultural Association was held on May 3rd at 5, St. 
Andrew Square, Edinburgh, under the presidency of 
Mr. D. P. Laird. Mr. P. W. Fairgrieve, Dunkeld 
Gardens, read a paper on kitchen garden management, 
in which he gave advice as to the direction of labour 
and the treatment of the soil. Mr. George M’Kinnon, 
Melville Castle, read a paper on the Narcissus, and 
illustrated his remarks by means of a splendid display 
of Narcissus, consisting of some forty-six varieties, 
which were much admired. Both papers gave rise to 
discussion. Mr. Mackenzie, in the course of some 
remarks, alluded to the reduced value of land, and 
said he was disposed to think that, under these circum¬ 
stances, landed proprietors would not in future keep 
up such large establishments as they had done in the 
past. Mr. Fairgrieve replied, and, along with Mr. 
M’Kinnon, received a vote of thanks for his paper. 
Mr. Howie, Inch House, Liberton, exhibited a new 
variety of Leek, a hybrid with a strong vigorous habit. 
He was asked to exhibit it again in autumn, in order 
that the members might have an opportunity of seeing 
its early as well as its late qualities. Mr. Howie also 
showed a collection of Alpine Auriculas. Mr. M’Hattie, 
Newbattle Abbey, exhibited a truss of seedling stage 
Calceolaria, which were remarkably fine ; and Mrs. 
Lyle, North Berwick, sent seedling flowers of various 
coloured Primroses. The usual votes of thanks were 
accorded at the close of the meeting. 
The Amateurs’ Garden. 
Kitchen Garden.— Work in this department gets 
busier day by day, and, to keep in advance of the 
season, one must needs apply himself energetically 
to a host of matters that all seem to demand instant 
attention. Whenever the ground is dry enough to 
permit or be benefited by it, keep the hoe at work 
amongst all growing crops as soon as it can be de¬ 
termined where the plants are. This latter statement 
applies mostly to germinating seedlings of Onions, 
Carrots, and such things where the weeds should be 
vigorously kept down from the commencement. They 
are more liable to be overgrown with weeds where the 
ground has been manured with vegetable refuse from 
the rubbish heap, especially if the heap has not been 
attended to in the matter of turning, in order to kill 
the seeds by fermentation. 
Carefully stake Peas as soon as they are well through 
the ground. This will the more easily be done now, 
since the recent rains have made the ground tolerably 
moist and soft. Previous to this, draw the soil up to 
the Peas in a sort of ridge, and this will keep them up 
till the}* lay hold of the stakes. Use stakes according 
to the average height that the varieties usually attain, 
and let tidiness be the order of the day, by putting 
them in straight lines of even height. Order and 
regulation of this kind makes all the difference between 
a well-kept and an untidy garden. Near woods, and 
where wood pigeons and other birds abound, Peas, as 
well as other tender vegetables, often suffer, especially 
w'hen green food generally is scarce ; but staking the 
Peas has often been effectual in checking these ravages. 
As soon as this has been finished, hoe the ground to 
destroy all weeds and loosen up the soil again, which 
prevents to a great extent evaporation. 
Cabbage Plots that in the early part of the season 
looked almost bare now begin to look green, but it is 
disappointing to see so many of the plants bolting, that 
is, running to flower and seed, instead of developing 
large leaves, and ultimately hearting. In the absence 
of plants to put in their place, cut off their tops, when 
side shoots will be formed that may be used in the 
manner of Sprouts. Where precaution was taken to sow 
some seeds in a heated house, pit or frame, or even in a 
cold frame to be brought forward by sun-lieat, seedlings 
will now be in a forward state, and may be planted out 
at an early date. If they have previously been 
hardened by exposure, no opportunity should be lost 
in making good the blanks, or making fresh plan¬ 
tations on previously prepared ground, after the first 
good shower of rain. 
Cauliflower and Lettuce, where not already 
done, should be planted out wdthout delay, whether in 
the case of late autumn-sown seeds or reared on a hot 
bed early in the season. These will form a first or 
second early crop, according to the foresight of the 
planter, and the requirements. Earth up and protect 
early Potatos, if necessary, with Spruce branches or 
other similar material, as all danger of frosty nights is 
not yet over. 
Bedding plants of all or most kinds are now in a 
well-advanced state, and should, in most cases, be 
kept as cool as possible to harden them preparatory to 
planting out towards the end of the month. This 
applies to Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Lobelias, Stocks, 
Asters, and a host of things at the amateur’s disposal, 
and by which the garden is made gay in summer. 
Many, by a little forethought, get far in advance of 
the season by sowing annuals early—such as Marigolds, 
Saponaria, Zinnias, and Phlox Drummondi—afterwards 
planting them out, either directly or after having been 
pricked off in boxes or frames some time previously. 
The latter method is to be more recommended, as when 
the plants get rooted into rich rough leaf-soil, or even 
stable-manure put in below the soil, or as drainage to 
boxes, they lift with a fine ball at planting-out time ; 
and if the weather is at all moist they scarcely feel the 
check, which they would when transferred directly from 
the seedling pots or pans to the open ground. 
Herbaceous Plants are once more, and deservedly, 
coming to the front in private establishments ; and 
they are particularly adapted for the embellishment of 
cottage or villa gardens on account of their hardiness, 
great variety, and beauty, requiring comparatively 
little attention beyond an annual top-dressing of some 
kind lightly forked in among the roots, and timely 
attention in the matter of staking before the flower- 
stems get broken down, as they never look so well 
afterwards if once allowed to become prostrate. Tidi¬ 
ness, above all things, is the best economy with 
herbaceous plants, as with all other departments.—A. 
