August 6, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
779 
shalliana, with white flowers and deep yellow, heavily- 
bearded throat. A batch of Disa grandiflora exhibited 
some peculiarity in the difference of individual vigour. 
The terminal flower is also the largest produced on any 
plant, and one form in particular was noticeable for the 
size and beautiful markings of the dorsal hooded sepal, 
with the principal veins lined with a rich blood-red 
colour. The lateral, spreading, and flat sepals were 
rich scarlet. No less noticeable was a large plant of 
Epidendrum prismatocarpum, carrying six erect spikes, 
with twelve to fifteen of its striking and showy flowers 
on each. The soft colour of the sepals and petals shows 
off the deep purple, thinly-arranged blotches admirably. 
A very distinct species is Angrrecum arcuatum, having 
flowers several times as large as those of A. falcatum, 
with a curious curved spur, and altogether very 
distinct. 
Although so late in the. season, some of the last 
blooms of Cattleya and Lrelia still linger. Those 
of C. Mendelii are flowers of superior merit as to size 
and colouring. The collection can also boast of a 
unique plant in the shape of C. M. Alexandras, with 
pure white flowers, but not in bloom at present. Some 
fine forms of C.'Gaskelliana—a valuable Cattleya from 
its habit of flowering in summer when most of the 
others are over—showed themselves up conspicuously 
in the absence of the more intensely-coloured but 
earlier-flowering kinds. Laelia purpurata is sometimes 
designated the king of Orchids, and certainly the 
appellation is a happy one. A variety with a large, 
richly-coloured lip, still flowering at the time of our 
visit, overlooked the others of its allies with a dignity 
quite its own. L. bicolor was showing for flower. 
Several fine things amongst Odontoglossums and 
Oncidiums arrest the attention of visitors from their 
size, showy colours, or the profuse-flowering nature of 
some of the Oncidiums. 0. vexillarium is a favourite 
with Mr. Measures, as also with growers of Orchids in 
general, and the great size and showiness of the flowers 
offer many inducements to cut them for indoor deco¬ 
ration. In this instance, 800 spikes of bloom had 
been cut the previous day. Another grand species now 
in season is 0. Schlieperianum, similar in habit to 
0. Insleayi, though not flowering at the same time, with 
differently-formed and distinct-coloured flowers. The 
so-called white variety of 0. bictonense is readily dis¬ 
tinguishable from the type by its pale greenish yellow 
sepals and petals and pure white lip. In its habit, 
Oncidium stelligerum somewhat resembles 0. hastatum ; 
but the flowers are different, and produced in great 
profusion on panicles about 6 ft. long, contrasting 
strongly with the modest though pretty-flowered 
0. Harrisoni. 
One of the most telling features here is the truly 
grand collection of Cypripediums, for which the place 
is noted, and which appear occasionally in great force 
at the metropolitan or other local shows. An idea of 
their numbers may be gathered from the fact, that 235 
species or varieties have been collected together from 
all sources. The popularity of Cypripediums is well 
deserved, for no class of Orchids is more productive of 
a continuous supply of flowers throughout the year. 
The best of all hardy species, namely, C. spectabile, is 
well done at Cambridge Lodge, being grown in shallow 
pans in a cool house, and well supplied with water ; a 
fountain even was occasionally allowed to play in the 
house, supplying and softening the atmosphere with its 
moisture. Several of the stems bore three flowers each. 
The East Indian species, their hybrids, and others 
that are usually grown in very high temperatures, are 
located in warmer quarters than C. spectabile ; but 
Mr. Measures believes in the lowest possible tempera¬ 
ture in which a healthy growth can be made. Among 
valuable and well-known kinds flowering at present, 
C. concolor Regnieri (having broad spotted petals), C. 
superciliare, C. Lowii, C. Yeitchii, and the beautiful 
form of it, named Prince Demidoff; C. ciliolare, C. 
Stonei, C. porphyrum and others show a wide range of 
form and colour, which no language can adequately 
describe, but must be seen to grasp an idea of their 
beaut}’, both in colour and form. C. Lawrencianum 
was there in full force, with its huge flowers and 
beautifully marbled foliage ; but a variety named C. 
L. magnificum was conspicuous for the enormous size 
of the dorsal sepal, which, owing to its great develop¬ 
ment at the base, caused the petals to present the 
very singular appearance of being inserted in front, 
instead of at the base of that organ. C. Dayanum 
superbum is a distinct and beautiful form, with the 
standard closely marked with green and white in 
alternate lines ; the petals are rose coloured and the 
lip purple. A form that finds acceptance with many, 
is C. Swanianum, with rose and purple petals, a large 
and deep purple labellum and a handsome standard 
veined or lined with purple and green at the base, and 
white at the margin and apex. We also noted a very 
dark and handsome form of C. calurum, with two 
lateral branches on a strong flowering spike. A hybrid 
between C. Lawrencianum and C. barbatum, named C. 
almum, has a standard similar in appearance to that 
characterising both species, but intermediate in size, 
and the petals have the submarginal blotches generally 
so conspicuous in C. Lawrencianum. 
-- 
PHLOX DRUMMONDI. 
I think the finest lot of Phlox Drummondi I ever saw 
is in the garden of Samuel Barlow’, Esq., at Stakehill 
House, Manchester. The plants are in a bed with 
boarded sides, raised a little above the ground level, 
and the soil is rich—an indispensable requirement if 
anyone would have fine flowers. At Stakehill there 
is a generous growth, and large bold trusses of fine and 
varied flowers. When a bed of Phlox Drummondi is 
well done as this one is, the Verbena is put into the 
shade completely. At Stakehill there is a great variety 
of colours, but before all the varieties must be put the 
grand bright vermilion-crimson Splendens grandiflora, 
with its striking white centre. There are crimson, 
scarlet and purple self flowers of splendid quality ; and 
there are pale purple, pink and mauve shades, with 
bold white centres. There are pretty marbled 
varieties also, and a pure white self form is one of the 
best I have ever seen. 
But, as I have stated before, all this is the result of 
good culture. I am certain many persons grow their 
Phlox Drummondi in too poor a soil, with the result 
that they have starved plants and poor flowers, and 
they aggravate the defect by permitting the plants to 
mature their seeds. Now, Mr. Pomroy, Mr. Barlow’s 
gardener, has proceeded upon a different principle. 
He not only gives the plants something good to grow 
in, but he has taken care not to plant them too close 
together, so as not to injure them. It is true, that 
when they grow vigorously the branches run one into 
the other, but that is the way to get a well-furnished 
bed, and this is just what one sees at Stakehill. I am 
sure that there is, among amateurs especially, great 
ignorance as to the value of Phlox Drummondi as 
bedding plants, and if they were once to begin to grow 
them, and grow them well, they would not soon 
abandon their culture during the summer.— R. D. 
-- 
Gardening IIiscellany. 
New Seedling Pea.—A beautiful sample of a 
new, and as yet unnamed seedling Pea comes to us 
from Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, Loudon. 
It is described as a second early, something in the way 
of Duke of Albany, but rather earlier and a heavier 
cropper, growing to a height of 5 ft. The pods sent us 
measured about 4^ ins. in length, quite straight, and 
well filled throughout with an average of nine large 
sweet peas in each. The latter, when perfectly mature, 
are deep green and wrinkled. As an exhibition variety 
it will, no doubt, take a leading place, owing to the 
fine appearance of the pods, their well-filled character, 
and the first-class quality of the peas themselves. 
Lilium japonicum Colchesteri. — The 
Japanese Lily is a magnificent thing under whatever 
form it may be grown, but some of the varieties of it 
now in cultivation far surpass the type. In this strain 
must we speak of the form under notice, a fine spike of 
which is sent us by Messrs. Barr & Son from their 
grounds at Tooting, where it is now flowering freely. 
In shape it very much resembles the type ; but the 
flowers are larger, deliciously scented, and the stems 
are closely furnished with leathery, oblanceolate, deep 
green leaves. The number of leaves on the typical 
form is stated to range from twelve to twenty, but the 
stem, or that part of it sent us, and which was only 
18 ins. in length, bore fifty leaves in the most robust 
and healthy-looking condition. The odour of the 
flowers seems to increase considerably towards night, 
and the spike sent us bore two flowers remarkable for 
their size and handsome appearance. 
A Very Dwarf Pigmy Aster. —In the trial 
of these at Chiswick, this stands out as a very dwarf 
early type that is well adapted for pot culture, plant¬ 
ing as an edging to taller-growing varieties, or filling 
small beds. Flower gardeners have oftentimes great 
difficulty in hitting upon suitable subjects for small 
beds, and this Aster supplies a useful type for the 
purpose. They are of various colours, and fully 
double, while the plant forms a dense little tuft that 
is replete with bloom, which when properly expanded 
assume quite a ball-like appearance. But good strains 
of this very dwarf Aster are not infrequent, and it is 
very desirable on many grounds. — R. D. 
A Monster Double White Camellia.— In 
the gardens of G. F. Lyndon, Esq., The Henburys, 
Mosely, Birmingham, there is a very fine double white 
Camellia, 17 ft. high and 17 ft. through, in the best of 
health, and a well-furnished symmetrical specimen, 
from which 4,000 flowers were taken this year. The 
tree is in a greenhouse devoted almost entirely to it, 
and is growing in a large square box, 7 ft. square and 
3 ft. deep, and stands on a revolving axis of iron-work, 
so that the plant can be turned round at pleasure. Mr. 
Bluck, the (gardener, states that he keeps the tree 
liberally syringed and well supplied with water, using 
liquid manure also. For some years this Camellia has 
borne a local reputation for its size and the great 
number of flowers annually produced. It would be 
interesting to know if there are many other Camellias 
under glass, and growing in England, which will com¬ 
pare with this plant in size and form. Some of your 
readers may be able to give some information.— D. 
The Potato Crop. —I was very much surprised, 
on reading your leading article in the last number, to 
hear of the deplorable condition of the Potato crop. I 
scarcely think it can be general, for I have never had 
a better crop of early ones than this season, and the 
late varieties are looking equally well. Certainly the 
tubers are not so large as usual, but the quantity—as 
many as thirty useful Potatos at a root—and the 
quality are excellent. Our soil is rather heavy, so 
that no doubt we stand the hot dry weather much 
better than they do on light sandy and gravelly soils.— 
J. Wallis, Keele Hall Gardens, Newcastle, August 2>rd. 
Plumbago capensis.— We have one of these 
plants now in full flower, with about 500 heads of 
bloom upon it, and a beautiful object it is. It is 
planted in a box in an intermediate house, and reaches 
to the top of the structure, about 10 ft. high, trained 
up two posts. This subject does not seem to do well 
in pots ; but when planted out where its roots can 
ramble in space, it grows luxuriantly. Although the 
plant here is in a box, its roots have penetrated through 
the bottom into the floor beneath, to ramble where they 
will. No special treatment is given to it, the young 
shoots being simply cut back to the old wood every 
winter, and each spring it sends forth an abundance of 
young wood, which flowers very freely. There are, I 
know, many plants of greater dimensions ; but ours 
would be larger if we could afford them room, and I 
only wish to show how this beautiful shrub can be 
grown and do well. It is, like many good old-fashioned 
things, very much neglected.— Alfred Gaut, The 
Gardens, Copped Hall, Totteridge, Herts. 
House's Victory Strawberry. —When shown 
at the Crystal Palace Rose show this Strawberry was 
seen to great disadvantage. Plants of it in fruit were 
sent from the Eastgate Nurseries, Peterborough, with 
the result that the fruit, though lying on moss, had 
all the flavour taken out of them. Mr. House claims 
it to be a cross between British Queen and President, 
and it partakes of the character of both ; ir is early, 
very prolific, and an excellent forcer. Mr. House had 
some fruit of it at the Manchester Rose show, and I 
had an opportunity of tasting it again, with the result 
that I found it delicious. It resembles British Queen 
in the fruit, and President in the habit of the plant. 
Mr. House fancies it greatly, and believes that it will 
come to be a leading forcing kind ; but time will prove 
its value, and a really good Strawberry is certain to 
be recognised in time.— R. D. 
Chrysanthemum segetum grandiflorum. 
—This is a fine selection from the ordinary type ; and 
having sent Mr. Percival a pinch of seed, he informs 
me that he considers it a great acquisition, the flowers 
being fully half as large again as those of the wild 
form, and it is the admiration of all who see it. It is 
invaluable for cutting from.— R. D. 
