764 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
July 30, 1887. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS, 
Odontoglossum Harryanum. —If this hand¬ 
some new species prove to be tolerably easy to 
cultivate, it cannot fail to become popular on account 
of its size and form, which is distinct from any we 
have in cultivation. The oblong-elliptic sepals are a 
deep shining chestnut-brown, somewhat marbled and 
tipped with yellow, and like the other parts of the 
flower, of great substance. The upper one is incurved 
with a revolute tip, a direction also assumed by the 
petals precisely, which has the effect of making the 
flower somewhat cupped, and not flat as is most 
frequently the case. The latter are also beautifully 
marbled and lined longitudinally in the lower half 
with white and yellow. The labellum is, moreover, 
the most attractive and distinct organ of the flower. 
The lateral lobes are reduced to small blunt angles or 
teeth, and that region being narrow resembles a claw, 
while the middle lobe is greatly enlarged, ovate, 
acuminate, and boat-shaped from the infolding of the 
sides. The basal part of this is furnished with about 
eight curious yellow fringed lamellae ; the broader part 
is deep, dark purple, beautifully reticulated with white; 
and the apical half is pure white. The pale yellow 
and white column is nearly straight, and stands erect 
by itself in the centre of the flower. Mr. R. H. 
Measures, The Woodlands, Streatham, furnished us 
with the specimen from which the above description is 
taken ; but Messrs. Sander & Co., also have the species 
in flower, and received a Certificate for it from the 
Floral Committee on Tuesday. 
Orchids at The Dell, Egham. —One of the 
most remarkable Orchids at present in bloom is 
Grammatophyllnm Ellisii, a very handsome species 
that many growers would like to see more plentiful ; 
the same remark would also apply to the lovely Delia 
eallistoglossa, L. Batemaniana, Cattleya Wallisii, C. 
Mossise Arnoldiana, now in bloom at The Dell. Orchid 
growers will be pleased to know that Mr. Ballantine 
has succeeded in growing Cypripedium Fairreanum 
thoroughly well. It occurred to him that cool 
treatment would best meet the requirements of this 
beautiful species that has so long baffled cultivators, 
and the result is that C. Fairreanum is now growing at 
The Dell in a cool house, every whit as vigorous as the 
common C. insigne. This discovery will be the 
salvation of the species to our collections, which is all 
the more valuable, inasmuch as their re-introduction 
seems as remote as ever.— Leo. Gordon. 
Bletia Shepherdi. —This robust-growing species 
flowers, as a rule, in the winter months, but Mr. 
Wright, at Devonhurst, manages to flower it about 
midsummer. It is very different in appearance from 
the more common Japanese species, B. hyacinthina. 
The broad, lanceolate, plaited leaves, although they 
attain a length of 18 ins. or more, arch over ; while 
the long naked-branched flower-scapes attain a height 
of 3 ft. or more. For this reason it is more suitable for 
mixing in groups of decorative stuff, and is utilised for 
that purpose. The whole flower is of a dark reddish 
purple, with the exception of several longitudinal white 
lamella on the lip. Flowers continuously for a long time. 
Cattleya Gaskelliana. —This Cattleya comes 
in time to supply a want after C. Mossise and C. 
Mendelli have mostly gone out of flower. It seems 
also to be intermediate between those two, having 
sepals and petals of a soft rose ; but its intermediate 
character is best seen in the lip, w'here the relative 
positions of the white, orange, or yellow markings of 
the throat, and the area they occupy are intermediate 
in character. No doubt it is liable to variation, as 
most other Cattleyas are ; but it becomes valuable as 
an essentially summer-flowering form of the C. labiata 
group. The plants at Gunnersbury Park, Acton, have 
commenced flowering, and present the same peculiarity 
as C. gigas—namely, that of flowering on the young or 
current growths of the season. 
Pleione humilis Proliferated. — From the 
apex of almost every old leafless pseudo-bulb of this 
species in the collection of Mr. Peacock, Sudbury 
House, Hammersmith, a great number of little elongated 
buds arise, giving the pseudo-bulbs a curious°and 
interesting appearance. The little sprouts or buds 
seem to occupy the whole of the space from which the 
old leaves have fallen. Cultivators of this elegant 
little species might be able to say whether prolification 
of the kind mentioned is common or not. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Clove Carnations. —Preparations should at once 
be made for the layering of Cloves and Carnations. 
In most instances they will now be in flower, and 
consequently the value of new or seedling varieties 
judged, although one must admit this is hardly a season 
for a proper test, the excessive heat and long spell 
of drought rendering the growth weaker, and the 
flowers smaller than usual. Attend regularly to the 
stock of Pinks for next season’s forcing, giving them a 
full supply of water, or else at potting-up time, instead 
of single plants, they will be simply bunches. 
Poinsettias. —We have potted on into flowering size 
all the Poinsettias, and as there was not head-room in 
the pits we have staged them all in the intermediate 
house, keeping them as near the glass as possible ; 
and, as the house is freely ventilated, there is but little 
fear of their drawing. They must not have too much 
water given them until it is certain they have taken to 
the new soil; but when once well established, an 
abundance is required and frequent doses of liquid 
manure, so as to obtain as strong a growth as possible. 
Euphorbias, too, should receive their final shift: in 
fact, the potting of all such plants should be com¬ 
pleted without further delay. Through press of work 
we have not yet gone over our Azaleas, but we hope 
shortly to do so, and pot on all that require it ; after 
potting, these require a thorough soaking, and great 
care should also be taken before potting that the old 
ball is thoroughly moist, for if potted at all dry they 
invariably die. The same remark applies to all hard- 
wooded plants. Whether in or out of doors, let a free 
use of the syringe be made, or thrip will make sad 
havoc of the foliage—in fact, completely spoil the 
plants for the season. 
Staking Chrysanthemums. —If not already done, 
see to the staking of Chrysanthemums, for they are 
making a very free growth, and there is great danger 
of them snapping off if subjected to gusty winds or 
heavy storms. The plants required for mixed staging 
need not be staked out like those grown for specimen 
purposes. Compact heads are far preferable ; but for 
specimens, each growth should be neatly staked, and 
tied into proper position, avoiding as much as possible 
undue bending or twisting. Should there be any 
sign of worms in the pots, let a good dose of lime and 
soot-water be given, allowing the plants to become rather 
dry before it is applied. Do not give stimulants of any 
kind thus early in the season, as it only tends to the 
production of a sappy growth, which will never 
generate really first-rate blooms. 
Calanthes have made a fine growth, and we have 
been obliged to give them more room, so that they 
may fully develop. Now that the pots are full of 
roots, we give them an occasional dose of manure-water 
made from deer or cow-dung, with a bag of soot added. 
This treatment is far preferable to using large pots, 
the soil in which frequently becomes a sour soddened 
mass, with the result that the flower-spikes do not last 
above one-half the time that they do on a healthy 
vigorous plant. - 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vines. —We have been busy giving all the Vine- 
borders a thorough watering, and as all has to he drawn 
some distance in swing-barrows it is rather a heavy 
matter ; however, there is no shirking the job, for 
with the long-continued drought the borders quickly 
dry up, and it is impossible for the fruit to finish 
properly if they are short of water at the roots ; 
strictly speaking, we have had no rain since Whit- 
week, if I except a slight storm or two, which quickly 
disappeared as the sun rose, so that some idea may be 
formed of our condition. The Fire King has, indeed, 
obtained complete mastery over us this season, and 
the effects will be more keenly felt later on than just 
now. 
Late Peach House. —We still continue the firing 
in the late Peach-house, as we need the fruit by a 
stated time, and, as before remarked, they are later than 
usual on account of the cold spring ; they are swelling 
away rapidly, the house is damped down four or five 
times a day, and a sprinkling of Clay’s is now and 
again given. The trees are copiously syringed morn¬ 
ing and evening, and the house is closed early and 
allowed to run up as high as 95°, but a little air is put 
on in the evening. As the fruit ripens follow directions 
lately given, so that flavour may be obtained as well 
as size. 
Cucumbers in the pits are now fruiting freely, and 
consequently require constant attention, so that they 
may not become crowded ; keep them stopped rather 
closely in, now and again giving a thorough pruning 
away of the older w r ood, and frequent applications of 
liquid manure are also absolutely necessary. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Mushrooms. —A short supply of -vegetables is now 
a certainty, so that it is advisable to make an effort to 
prevent its effects being too keenly felt. We made up 
a good-sized Mushroom-bed, which is just now showing, 
and these will, no doubt, be appreciated in the kitchen. 
It will also be advisable to at once commence the 
collection of materials for the making up of further 
beds, so that an early autumn supply maybe obtained. 
' Sea Kale. —Attend thoroughly to the Sea Kale 
quarters, giving, now and again, a good soaking of 
water to the hatch of crowns which will be required for 
the first lifting. Where, as in many cases, a sewage- 
tank is near the garden, let a good soaking of its 
contents be given to the Asparagus-beds required for 
next season’s forcing ; it will greatly help the crowns, 
and permit of good grass being cut in the beginning of 
October, when green crops will be exceedingly short. 
Brussels Sprouts and Snow's Broccoli are doing 
well, and will be of the greatest service ; also Cauli¬ 
flowers, though a great many of them went blind from 
the drought. Those affected we Lave removed, and 
have planted Autumn Giant in their places. The whole 
will be kept constantly watered. Peas are most unsatis¬ 
factory, and all the attention bestowed upon them 
seems of little avail ; the haulms are not more than 
half the usual height and very wiry. Ellam’s Cabbage 
being well up, has been removed to the cold frames 
for a few days, when it will be placed out of doors, and 
a bed prepared for pricking it out; also Coleworts, 
which are quite ready.— Walter Child , Croome Court. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural.— July 26th.— The leading 
features of this meeting were hardy plants exhibited by 
Mr. T. S. Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham ; 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt ; a miscellaneous col¬ 
lection from Kew ; and another from Messrs. J. Veitch 
& Sons, Chelsea. Various Orchids or blooms were 
shown, some of rare merit, and several collections of 
fruit were very attractive and fine. The several col¬ 
lections of vegetables, for the prizes offered by Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons, Messrs. Webb & Sons and Messrs. 
Carter & Co., were also a source of special interest, 
owing to the lengthened drought to which they have 
been subjected. 
A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. T. S. 
Ware for his extensive group, containing, amongst 
other things, many fine Liliums, such as L. auratum, 
L. longiflorum, L. elegans Prince of Orange, L. Hum- 
boldti and L. concolor, for the last of which a vote of 
thanks was accorded. There were also several fine 
Gaillardias, such as G. maxima, G. grandiflora and G. 
aurea. A large collection of cut blooms of border Car¬ 
nations made up in trusses and arranged with Maiden¬ 
hair Fern ; Jas. Bailey, Charles I. and Sailor Gordon 
were fine ; they had no shading or other protection 
whatever, and were cut from the open border. Several 
boxes of beautiful Hollyhock blooms were shown by Mr. 
Blundell, Dulwich ; one box was occupied by Princess of 
Wales alone, a delicate pink variety, lor which a vote 
of thanks was given. Votes of thanks were also 
accorded for Gaillardia maxima and Delphinium 
cardinale. A Bronze Banksian Medal was awarded to 
Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, for a group of hardy 
plants, consisting of Zauschneria californica, Gaillardias, 
Sweet Peas, Phloxes, Pentstemons, Stenactis speciosa, 
Helenium pumilum and others. The collection from 
the Royal Gardens, Kew, was of a mixed character, 
containing some new hybrid Streptocarpi, described in 
another column, S. Dunnii, Lomaria fluviatilis, Statice 
Suworowi, Phaius bicolor, Adiantum reniforme azari- 
folium, various forms of Mesembryanthemum and 
other things. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons exhibited Plialsenopsis 
