662 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 18, 1887. 
rooted, and ready for potting singly in small 60’s. For 
this purpose use equal parts of turfy loam, leaf-soil 
and rotted manure, with some silver sand, and to this 
may be added an eightieth-part of hone meal. Pass 
the whole through a J-in. sieve, taking care not to 
have the soil too wet, as it often happens at this 
season. The plants may now be placed in a cold 
frame and kept close for a few days, when plenty of 
air should he given on every favourable opportunity, 
gradually hardening the plants, so that by the middle 
of April they may he placed outside, as the great 
object to study now is keeping the plants sturdy and 
from becoming drawn. 
Foe Decoration or Exhibition. 
Now let us turn back and see on what system we 
are to grow them, whether it he on single stems for 
cut blooms, taking from one to four flowers from each 
plant, or whether we intend cutting the plants back 
about the end of May or the first week in June, and 
taking up three or four stems, and from each stem 
three or four flowers. This latter system I think the 
better suited to make a show of flowers arranged in a 
group or bank. Again, the plants may be pinched 
when about 6 ins. high and allowed to break, and then 
pinched again, so as to form bushes. Perhaps we may 
want some standards, when the plants will not require 
to be pinched until they have reached a height of 2 ft. 
or 3 ft. Each system has its admirers, some preferring 
to see stiff-trained specimens, others again preferring to 
see them with a natural, free and graceful appearance. 
For all that has been said on the subject, each indivi¬ 
dual person will have his own fancy, and I say let 
him indulge it. Whatever system we decide to adopt, 
that will require its 
Special Kind of Treatment. 
By the beginning of May the general collection of 
plants will be ready to move into 32 and 48 size pots, 
the larger and strong-growing varieties being put in the 
largest size and the smaller and weaker growing-ones 
into the smallest size. Now we may use the soil a 
little stronger, say two parts turfy loam, one part rotted 
manure (horse-droppings as prepared for a Mushroom 
bed being about the best that can be obtained), and 
1-60 part of bone meal. We hear a great deal about 
the value of cow-manure for potting purposes, and its 
reputed cooling properties, but I myself greatly doubt 
them ; I find after long use of it as a manure that its 
cooling effects are simply that as the manure decays it 
merely destroys the porosity of the soil, preventing the 
circulation of air, consequently the water does not 
evaporate so quickly, hence it is called a cooling 
manure ; but this is just the thing we want to avoid in 
plant growing. By using horse-droppings we, in a 
great measure, evade this choking process, the horse- 
droppings keeping the soil more open, consequently, 
the air getting to the roots of the plants, they are in a 
better condition, for we must not forget that fresh air 
and food are as necessary to plant life as to animal. I 
think also there would be more nutriment in horse- 
droppings as plant food than what could be found in 
cow-manure. 
The Plants in the Open Aie. 
After the plants are potted, select a good open 
situation to stand them in, and, if possible, where 
2 ins. or 3 ins. of ashes have been laid down, as this 
prevents worms getting in the soil. Have a small stake 
put to each plant to keep them from getting broken about 
by the wind. This will now keep the plants going until 
they are ready for the final shift into their flowering 
pots; and here we have a great difference of opinion when 
that ought to be done—some recommending the be¬ 
ginning of June, others again up to the end of June or 
beginning of July. 
( To le continued.) 
-- 
HARDY RHODODENDRONS. 
It must not be supposed that the raising of hardy 
Rhododendrons is confined entirely to the county of 
Surrey. There has just reached me from Messrs. Isaac 
Davies & Son, Brook Lane Nursery, Ormskirk, two 
trusses of their new and singularly distinct variety, 
Mrs. Isaac Davies, the ground white, the central of 
the three upper segments having a very dark maroon 
blotch, with small side spots of claret ; the segments 
on either side are also profusely spotted with claret, 
the two lower segments slightly so with pink. The 
flower is large and of fine form, borne on bold and 
striking trusses, and most highly perfumed. It is a 
new variety, to he distributed next season, and from its 
exceedingly novel character should find a place in the 
most select collection. 
Other fine varieties raised by these growers are Afghan 
Chief, crimson-scarlet, with dark spots ; Blue Beard, 
rich bluish lilac, maroon blotch, distinct and very free; 
Charles Kingsley, bright rose, extra fine ; Countess of 
Dudley, blush-white, dark maroon spots ; Commodore, 
deep rosy crimson, with dark spots ; Claribel, white, 
brownish spots, early and very free ; Crusader, bright 
rosy scarlet, extra fine ; Duchess of Albany, deep 
bright rose, brown spots ; regarded as a great improve¬ 
ment upon Mrs. John Waterer ; General Graham, deep 
glowing scarlet, extra fine ; Grace Darling, white, fine 
truss ; Isaac Davies, deep velvety crimson, extra fine ; 
Highlander, dazzling crimson-scarlet ; King Orry, 
bright scarlet ; Kepler, clear scarlet-rose, extra fine ; 
Loyola, dark plum ; Lord Tennyson, purple, shaded 
with maroon ; Lavinia, rosy lilac, pale centre ; Model, 
deep purple, large and full ; Mary of Anjou, blush - 
white, very dark maroon blotch ; Marksman, deep 
brownish crimson, black spots ; Nymph, pinkish 
white, crimson spots ; Princess Dagmar, white, 
thickly spotted with maroon ; Senator, very dark 
purple, with light centre ; The Giant, rose, large 
flowers ; The Giantess, rosy, bronzy blotches ; and 
William Davies, bright velvety crimson-scarlet, with 
dark spots ; a somewhat late variety. 
The foregoing list by no means exhausts all the fine 
varieties raised by this enterprising firm ; for many 
years past they have been engaged in this work. The 
utmost hardihood of character is one of the peculiarities 
of these northern-raised seedlings, and they are thus 
well adapted for exposed situations.— E. B. 
-- 
MR. DODWELL ON THE 
CARNATION AND PICOTEE. 
A second edition of Mr. Dodwell’s most useful book 
has just been issued, the demand for it having made 
this necessary. The book contains an introduction to 
the second edition, and also an appendix giving the 
names of the best new flowers of the past year, thus 
bringing the lists up to date. In the introduction 
Mr. Dodwell refers to the great success which has 
attended the establishment of the Oxford Carnation 
and Picotee Union, and describes it as “ purely the work 
of an amateur, or as I think it better described, the 
independent element in floriculture has clearly de¬ 
monstrated the power of florists, not merely to stand, 
but to run alone, and greatly I rejoice in the fact 
Speaking as a florist of experience, I say it lacks 
nothing vital to the progress of floriculture — it 
commands funds, skill, numbers and an enthusiasm 
not to be surpassed.” We have previously expressed 
our high opinion of this useful book. It is adapted for 
the veteran and the novice alike ; it sets forth the 
experience of the old cultivator, and there is nothing in 
the way of hasty compilation or slipshod execution 
about it. We have had too much of teaching from 
raw recruits ; here is the matured experience of an old 
campaigner, who having taken part in many a battle, 
has laid aside armour and arms, and records his exploits 
and experiences as incitements to others to take their 
places in the ranks. 
The warm sunny weather is bringing on the Car¬ 
nations and Picotees with great rapidity. One grower 
remarks that the progress is so great that it taxes the 
cultivator to the utmost to keep pace with them, as 
they require constant attention. Disbudding must be 
performed as soon as the young buds can be taken 
off. Some discretion is necessary in performing this 
operation, and the number of blossoms to be left must 
depend on the ^variety, whether full or thin in the 
flower, and whether for exhibition or for bearing seed. 
This is, to a large extent, a matter of experience ; hut 
then young growers are always seeking counsel. Mr. 
Dodwell states: “If ‘full’ and of strong growth, 
three buds may be left; if ‘thin,’ two buds ; and if of 
a weakly growth, one bud only. As a rule, the buds 
to be left will be the main one and those proceeding 
from the third and fourth joint, or fourth and fifth, 
counting from the top ; but the operator must be 
guided in his selection by the appearance of the buds, 
their vigour, healthiness, and regularity of form. A 
‘ full ’ flower may be expected when the young bud 
presents a broad obtuse top ; whilst a ‘ thin ’ variety is 
generally indicated by a sharp and long pointed bud.” 
ORCHIDS AT ST. ALBANS. 
To the vast establishment at St. Albans must 
certainly be credited the introduction of many rare 
plants, such as Lselia elegans and Cypripedium Spicer - 
ianum, in sufficiently large quantities to place them 
within the reach of all, and thus to popularise Orchid 
culture as well as the introduction of a great number of 
showy new species, such as Vanda Sanderiana. These 
have put quite a new face on Orchid culture, extending 
the flowering periods of some of the great sections so as 
to have some or other of them in flower all the year 
round. Take for example the following Cattleyas, 
which are Messrs. Sanders’ introductions : C. Percival- 
iana, C. Gaskelliana, C. Lawrenceana, C. Schroder® 
(erroneously called C. Trianse Schroder®), the numerous 
forms of C. gigas, C. Trianse and spring - flowering 
C. Mossise. These have so woven together, so far as 
their seasons of flowering go, that an almost unin¬ 
terrupted display of them can now he had rich in 
bloom at certain seasons, but never entirely without 
flowers. 
Among the latest arrivals we found very fine im¬ 
portations of Cattleya Bowringiana, a very fine winter¬ 
flowering species ; Odontoglossum Harryauum, a new 
and unexpected triumph in Odontoglossums; Cym- 
bidium maerocarpum, of which much is expected, by 
the large flower-spikes and evidence of large flowers. 
C. Parishii is well known and not unreasonably covet- 
able. Cypripedium Sanderianum is one of the most 
distinct and quaint of Cypripediums—something like a 
C. Stonei with the tails of C. eaudatum ; Ccelogyne 
Sanderiana and C. Fostermannii are two species said to 
be very fine ; Odontoglossum Schilleriana (true) is a 
very neat and pretty species ; Sobralia virginalis, pure 
white, and S. xantholeuca, golden yellow, Oncidium 
macranthum, and 0. loxense are all desirable species. 
In an establishment of such extent, many of the 
houses being 250 ft. to 300 ft. in length, it is impos¬ 
sible to note any but the more prominent plants in 
bloom. Ve were therefore attracted by the houses iu 
which the main displays were to be found. In the first 
place we were struck by the beautiful appearance of the 
Mexican corridor, with many scores of plants of 
Odontoglossum .citrosmum suspended overhead, their 
beautiful pendent racemes of large waxy flowers, 
descending from 2 ft. to 3 ft., and presenting a fine 
sight with their varied flowers —some pure white, some 
white with rose lip, others all different shades of rose, 
and both white and rose varieties dotted with crimson 
spots, all having yellow centres of some shades. Next 
came the Cattleya houses, and before critically 
examining the flowers, our attention was arrested by the 
robust condition of the plants, and especially by the 
great profusion of air-roots sent over the pots. 
Mr. Godseff, the manager, is pursuing his method of 
keeping these plants tolerably dry in the pots, but in 
rather moist but well-ventilated houses. He says that 
when Brazilian plants especially are kept too wet and 
close at this season, they make far less root than they 
do when kept rather dry ; and he is quite right. Many 
hundreds of Cattleyas are in bloom, principally C. 
Mossiae and C. Mendelii, many of the fine varieties 
amongst which would have caused quite a sensation a 
year or two ago. It is difficult to imagine anything 
more rich in colour, or beautiful in the frilling of their 
deep labellum, than these plants present. Among 
them was a fine form of C. Mossise "Vagneri, a very 
pure white ; C. M. Reineckianum, a blush kind, very 
pretty ; C. M. matutina, with very large flowers ; C. 
Lawrenceana ; C. Acklandise, and the charming rosy- 
lipped C. Schroder®, which is as distinctly a species as 
C. Gaskelliana, or any of the rest, and quite as near 
C. Mendelii as it is C. Mossise—in fact, it is invaluable 
as filling up a gap in the flowering time between those 
species. 
The Odontoglossum houses were next visited, and 
although the praise of their occupants has often been 
sounded here, not a word too eulogistic has ever been 
said about them. There are thousands of spikes 
appearing among the great sturdy and cleanly grown 
plants, on a few of which we noticed three stout spikes 
to a bulb. A glance along the main house leaves it no 
secret why the charming O. Alexandras and its fine 
spotted and hybrid forms are such general favourites. 
Some superb things are in flower, among them being 
0. crispum roseum, O. c. punctatissimum, and many 
forms of 0. Ruekerianum and 0. Andersonianum ; but 
the chief place must be accorded to 0. c. triumphans, 
