12 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
September 3, 1887. 
Notes on Cattleyas. —The present summer has 
been most favourable for growing Orchids generally ; 
for many weeks during the early part of the summer 
we have managed entirely without fire-heat day or 
night, closing the houses in good time to utilise the 
sun-heat. Even at the present time of the year, when 
the nights are chill}', only a small fire is lighted in the 
evening sufficient to prevent the temperature of the 
houses falling too low before morning—say not lower 
than 55° or 60° during the night. The result of this 
treatment is, that Cattleyas especially have made 
luxuriant healthy growths, with well-sheathed pseudo¬ 
bulbs. Cattleyas and Lselias like plenty of warmth, 
light and air, and they get it, being exposed to almost 
full sunlight; but they can do with a much low'er 
temperature at night than is usually given, and are 
benefited thereby. 
During the last winter these plants have been kept 
at a very low temperature, and almost entirely dry for 
long periods, receiving just sufficient water to prevent 
shrivelling of the bulbs. Instead of excessive fire-heat, 
which is most pernicious to Orchids in the resting 
season, covering up at nights and in severe weather has 
been resorted to. The result of this perfect resting has 
been free blooming, with flowers of large size and deep 
colour ; the highly coloured flowers of Cattleya Mossiae 
being exceptional. Cattleya Schilleriana, which had 
not previously made a flowering growth, when it started 
this summer made a bulb three times the size of the 
imported bulbs. Some of the bulbs also of Oncidium 
Eogersi are simply enormous, being three or four times 
as large as the imported bulbs. This cool system seems 
to be the correct treatment to pursue. Even Cypri- 
pediums, which were wintered in the same house with 
Cattleyas, and have often been below 40° in severe 
weather, seem to do well, having bloomed most pro¬ 
fusely during the summer ; but of course they have 
been kept a little more moist than the Cattleyas.— 
J. If. Tacy Peck, Blaby. 
The Autumn Spiranth (Spiranthes 
autumnalis). —This sweet little native Orchid is 
just now enlivening, with its delicate white flowers, 
many an English hillside. True it is the flowers are 
small and rather inconspicuous, but then they are 
peculiarly interesting, and have engaged the attention 
of more than one of our great naturalists. As a garden 
plant the Autumn Spiranth must not be neglected, 
for if planted in chalky loam on the rockwork it 
flowers freely enough, and soon forms a nice little tuft 
of bright green foliage. It is in reality an evergreen 
species, for before the flower stem and leaves have died 
down, those of the following season, the leaves at 
least, appear above ground, and remain green through¬ 
out the winter. The flowers are arranged in a 
peculiarly twisted or spiral spike, and remain in good 
condition for a considerable length of time. This 
Orchid is likewise known under the name of the Lady’s 
Tresses, from the supposed resemblance in the arrange¬ 
ment of the seed vessels to the plaits of a lady’s hair. 
— A. D. Webster. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Reading Horticultural. —August 25th .—The 
autumn exhibition of this society took place, as usual, 
in the Abbey Kuins, and though a little weak in the 
matter of plants, owing to the withdrawal of many old 
exhibitors, it was yet good in cut flowers, and par¬ 
ticularly strong in fruits and vegetables. Some very 
fine plants are required to well furnish the large turved 
space within the Abbey Euins, and when these are not 
forthcoming, the smaller kinds appear to be dwarfed 
out of all proportion. A great many of the vegetables 
had to be placed in a supplementary tent. 
The best collection of nine stove and greenhouse 
plants came from Mr. H. James, nurseryman, Norwood ; 
Mr. J. E. Mould, nurseryman, Pewsey, being second ; 
but both lots contained specimens past their best. 
The finest specimen stove and greenhouse plant was 
Lantana Le Grand, from Mr. Parham, gardener to 
H. J. Simonds, Esq., Eeading ; Mr. Howe, gardener to 
Sir E. Sutton, Benham Park, Newbury, being second 
with Allamanda Hendersoni. Mr. Parham was the 
only exhibitor of four stove and greenhouse plants. 
The finest new plant was Croton Mortii, from Mr. 
Mould. The best group of plants arranged for effect 
was set up by Mr. James ; Mr. Parham being second. 
Achimenes were fairly well shown by Mr. Hatch, gar¬ 
dener to S. B. Stevens, Esq., Eeading. Some excellent 
Fuchsias were shown by Mr. Bright (a pupil of Mr. 
J. Lye), gardener to P. Karslake, Esq., Whiteknights, 
Eeading. Balsams were shown by Mr. Balchin, gar¬ 
dener to B. Simonds, Esq., Eeading; and some excellent 
Cockscombs came from Mr. Lockie, The Gardens, 
Oakley Court, "Windsor. Mr. Hatch had six capital 
pots of Lilies of the speciosum type, Mr. Mould being 
second. Mr. Parham had the best six bedding Pelar¬ 
goniums ; and Mr. Ashby, gardener to W. Fanning, 
Esq., "Whitchurch, the best six variegated varieties. 
Begonias in pots were an excellent feature, Mr. 
Goodman, gardener to C. Hammersley, Esq., Bourne 
End, was first; and Mr. Dockerill, gardener to G. W. 
Palmer, Esq., Eeading, second. Mr. James had the 
best six foliage plants, Mr. Howe being second. In 
the amateurs’ division, Mr. Dockerell had the best four. 
Ferns were a fine feature, Mr. Parham, who had the 
best six, staging a very fine lot. Mr. Armitage, gar¬ 
dener to N. Clark, Esq., Eeading, was a good second. 
Messrs. "Waite & Lockie had the best table plants ; and 
Mr. Dockerell staged the finest six Lycopodiums. 
Coleus were excellently shown by Mr. C. Midwinter, 
Greenham, and Mr. Parham. The latter had the best 
three Palms, staging fine examples of Latania borbonica, 
Seaforthia elegans, and Phoenix dactylifera ; second, 
Mr. J. F. Mould. 
Cttt Flowers. —Dahlias were an excellent feature, 
Mr. John Walker, nurseryman, Thame, being first 
with eighteen varieties of good quality, and Messrs. 
J. Cheal & Sons, nurserymen, Crawley, second. Mr. 
Walker had the twelve best fancy Dahlias, staging 
very fine blooms. Messrs. Cheal & Sons were the only 
exhibitors of twelve bunches of single Dahlias, showing 
large and striking bunches. Mr. Hatch had the best 
twelve French Asters, Mr. C. Midwinter being second. 
The latter exhibitor took first prize for twelve German 
Asters, Mr. Lye, gardener to W. H. Kingsmill, Esq., 
Sydmonton Court, Newbury, coming in second. Mr. 
J. A. Johnson and Mr. F. Johnson, both of Newbury, 
were severally first and second with twelve spikes of 
Gladioli. Double Zinnias were very fine from Mr. 
J. Walker and Mr. C. Midwinter, an extra prize being 
awarded to Mr. Tranter, nurseryman, Henley-on- 
Thames. Mr. G. Phippin, nurseryman, Eeading, had 
the best eighteen bunches of cut flowers, staging a very 
fine lot, mainly of hardy subjects, Mr. Howe taking 
second. Mr. Such, nurseryman, Maidenhead, secured 
first honours for the best twelve bunches of hardy 
flowers. Mr. Walker had the finest bloom of any 
variety of Eose, staging a good flower of Marechal Niel, 
Messrs. Perkins & Sons, Coventry, being second with 
Alfred Colomb. The latter exhibitors had the best 
eighteen cut Eoses, setting up a very good lot of 
flowers. In the amateurs’ division Mr. Turton had the 
finest twelve Eoses, and Mr. Durman, gardener to 
J. W. Workman, Esq., Eeading, the best six bunches 
of hardy flowers, Mr. Booker being second. 
Table Decorations were, as usual, a very attractive 
feature. Mrs. J. A. Johnston, Newbury, was first with 
three pieces—a little too heavy, though nicely arranged ; 
Miss M. Phillips, Eeading, being second. Mrs. Collins, 
Erleigh Eoad, Eeading, was the only exhibitor of three 
pieces made up of wild flowers—a highly praiseworthy 
lot. Messrs. Perkins & Son had the best bridal 
bouquet ; Mr. G. Phippen being second ; and the same 
exhibitors were severally first and second with three 
button-hole bouquets. 
Fruit. —There was an excellent display of fruit, and 
the space allotted for it proved inadequate, and it 
overflowed into other parts of the exhibition. The 
best eight dishes came from Mr. J. Ashby, gardener to 
W. Fanning, Esq., Whitchurch, who had good Black 
Hamburgh and Muscat Grapes, Peaches, Nectarines, 
Apricots, Melons, Figs and Pears, a very good lot, 
and quite worthy of this old exhibitor at the 
Eeading shows ; second, Mr. Goodman, gardener to 
C. Hammersley, Esq., Bourne End, Great Marlow ; 
third, Mr. Wells, gardener to Mrs. Bavenhill, Wink- 
field. In the class for six dishes there was a keen 
competition also, the best collection coming from Mr. 
Jennings, The Gardens, Forest Lodge, Farnborough, 
who had excellent Muscat of Alexandra and Alicante 
Grapes, Peaches, fine Beurre Gifford Pears, Nectarines 
and Melon ; second, Mr. Cakebread, gardener to Sir 
P. Eose, Bart., Eaynors, Penn, Bucks; third, Mr. 
Turton, gardener to J. Hargreaves, Esq., Maiden 
Erleigh, Eeading. Mr. Cakebread had the best three 
bunches of Black Hamburgh Grapes, staging medium 
sized, well-coloured bunches ; the same exhibitor also 
had the best three bunches of any other black, having 
well finished Madresfield Court. Mr. Sinclair, gardener 
to the Marquis of Downshire, East Hamstead, Bucks, 
had the best three bunches of White Muscats, not 
large, but the berries fine and beautifully finished. 
The best three bunches of any other white, were 
Buckland Sweetwater, from Mr. N. Kneller, gardener to 
W. S. Portal, Esq., Malshanger Park, Basingstoke. 
Peaches were numerous and fine, the best dish was 
Princess of Wales, from Mr. Waite. Mr. Goodman 
had the best Nectarines, staging very fine fruits of 
Humboldt. Apricots were very fine, Moorpark being 
seen in grand form ; Mr. Turton had the best dish. 
Plums were good, though not quite so numerous as 
usual ; Mr. Goodman had the best three dishes. Mr. 
Hinton, gardener to J. Leslie, Esq., Eeading, had the 
best six dishes of dessert Apples, and Mr. Turton had 
the best six dishes of culinary varieties. 
Vegetables were very fine and numerous. Mr. 
Lockie had the best brace of Cucumbers, showing 
Verdant Green in fine form. Mr. Howe had the best 
half-peck of Peas, which was a good lot for the season. 
Mr. Kneller had the best twelve Onions, showing fine 
Eousham Park. Mr. Jennings had the best twelve 
Tomatos, showing a fine dish of Sutton’s Perfection. 
Mr. Howe had the best three Cauliflowers. Mr. Booker, 
gardener to C. Littledale, Esq., Twyford, had the best 
three Marrows ; and Mr. Beckett, of Penn, had the 
best dish of Mushrooms. 
Special Prizes were offered by Messrs. Sutton & 
Sons, Eeading, as follows :—Nine dishes of Potatos : 
first, Mr. Allen, with Lady Truseott, Sutton’s Seedling, 
Eeading Eussett, Forty-four, Woodstock Kidney, 
Eeading Euby, Thirty-six, Prizetaker and Early Eegent, 
which was a very fine lot ; second, Mr. Pope, gardener 
to The Earl of Carnarvon, Highclere; third, Mr. Ilott, 
gardener to Major Allfrey, Wakefield Park. Also for 
five sorts of Potatos: Mr. Ilott was first with fine 
samples of Sutton’s Seedling, Abundance, Twenty-one, 
Thirty-six and Forty-four ; second, Mr. Allen ; third, 
Mr. E. Lye. Mr. Pope had the best brace of Melons, 
showing Imperial Green Flesh and Hero of Lockinge ; 
second, Mr. Allen. Mr. Bowerman, gardener to C. 
Hoare, Esq., Hackwood Park, Basingstoke, had the 
best six dishes of vegetables, showing a very fine lot; 
Mr. Pope was second ; and Mr. Waite, gardener to 
The Hon. W. P. Talbot, Esher, was third. Messrs. 
Webb & Sons, seedsmen, Stourbridge, offered special 
prizes for six dishes of vegetables : Mr. Bowerman was 
first, Mr. Lye second, and Mr. Lockie third. Messrs. 
Carter & Co., seed merchants, Holborn, offered prizes 
for the same number : Mr. Beckett, Penn, was first, 
Mr. Waite second, and Mr. Lye third. Mr. C. Fidler, 
seedsman, Eeading, offered special prizes, as follows:— 
Best dish of Eeading Conqueror Pea : first, Mr. Waite. 
Melon, Fidler’s Defiance : first, Mr. Wells ; second, Mr. 
Goodman. Best dish of Fidler’s Clipper Potato : first, 
Mr. Beckett, Penn ; second, Mr. Pope; third, Mr. 
Allen. Also a collection of vegetables, six varieties : 
first, Mr. Lye ; second, Mr. Waite ; third, Mr. Elliott. 
A champion prize of three guineas for the best col¬ 
lection of fruit was awarded to Mr. Ashby’s collection 
of eight dishes, in class 44. 
Worcester City and County Horticul¬ 
tural.— This society held its annual exhibition this 
year in the grounds of the Mayor of Worcester, at Eose 
Hill, London Eoad ; the position in every way being 
admirably adapted. Considering the extreme heat 
and drought which has prevailed, the exhibits of 
vegetables were highly creditable, particularly in the 
cottagers’ classes. Four large tents were well filled, 
although in some classes there was a falling off in the 
entries, as compared with the previous years. The 
largest tent was devoted to plants, fruit, and cut flowers. 
For a group of plants arranged for effect there were 
three entries, and the first prize was well won by Mr. 
Gwynne, gardener to T. Eowley Hill, Esq., and were 
a very creditable lot, but a trifle too heavy as regards 
the foliage plants used ; the second prize was awarded 
to Mr. J. H. White, nurseryman, of Worcester, and 
the third to E. H. Hill, Esq. The last group 
contained some very fine-flowered Tuberous Begonias, 
but was weak in foliage .plants. A very telling group 
of plants was arranged in front of one of the entrances 
to this tent, by Messrs. E. Smith & Co., consisting of 
small-sized shrubs and foliage plants, interspersed with 
a fine lot of Lilium auratum. A nice group was also 
staged by Messrs. Eowe & Co., at the opposite entrance. 
The whole of this side of the tent looked extremely 
pretty, the plants being staged on the turf. On the 
opposite side were staged the different classes for plants 
and Ferns, but competition in several instances was 
very limited. The first prize for six exotic Ferns was 
taken by F. Eowley Hill, Esq., and were a fair-sized, 
well-grown set, while for ornamental foliage plants 
the first prize was secured by W. Holland, senr., 
Esq. ; second, T. E. Hill, Esq. In the class 
