September 10, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
27 
planted out, but Mr. Chadwick, Hanger Hill House, 
Ealing, grows it in pots, when the huge leaves are less 
developed, and more in proportion to the flowers. 
Variegated Cornelian Cherry.— Of Cornus 
mas there are two very distinct and handsome varie¬ 
gated forms. The oldest one has the leaves simply 
edged with white or yellow, according to the age of the 
foliage ; but those who have seen Cornus mas elegant- 
issima can have little doubt as to the greater beauty of 
the newer variety. In this the leaves are edged with a 
broad band of pale yellow, and this again has a narrower 
margin of red. The combination harmonises effectively, 
especially when the colours are well brought out, as we 
noticed them the other day at Hanger Hill House, 
Ealing, where Mr. Chadwick grows it as a centre to a 
flower-bed in a sunny exposed position in front of the 
mansion. Not the least pleasing aspect of the bush is 
the closeness of the foliage, quite concealing the stems 
and branches from top to bottom of one about 3 ft. or 
4 ft. in height. A variety of Euonymus radicans, 
having the same combination of colours, was sent out 
at least fifteen years ago ; but the red margin is not so 
conspicuous as in the present case, neither is the habit 
of the plant so'good when isolated as a specimen. 
The Small-fruited Hickory. —In the grounds 
of E. M. Nelson, Esq., on the top of Hanger Hill, 
Ealing, which may be considered a huge mound of 
London clay, overlooking a wide expanse of Middlesex 
and Surrey, is a fine specimen of Carya microcarpa, well 
furnished with large healthy foliage. Although in an 
exposed position, it does not seem to suffer either from 
summer drought or winter frost. Fruit was plentiful 
on the tree last year ; but apparently, for some reason, 
it carries none at present. This is a matter of small 
moment, considering it is neither valuable nor orna¬ 
mental. The foliage, on the other hand, is exceedingly 
handsome, and awakens fresh surprise that the Hickories 
are so seldom planted in the parks and pleasure grounds 
of this country. The fragrance of the foliage, although 
not so strong as that of the Walnut, its near relation, 
is, nevertheless, a noticeable fact, which may be dis¬ 
tinctly discerned on handling it. The leaf generally 
consists of five leaflets of great size and beauty, the 
terminal ones being by far the largest. 
--- 
The Gardeners' Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Plants in Winter Quarters. —Climatic changes 
having become so pronounced, it will be advisable to at 
once store such plants as Heaths, Epacris, and many 
more of the same section that were placed out of 
doors for summer growth, which in almost all instances 
is most satisfactory—that is, of a nature likely to pro¬ 
duce an abundance of bloom—-the early Heaths being 
particularly well set. It will, however, be necessary 
before staging to look to the Heaths, especially E. 
hyemalis and E. Wilmoreana, because the sudden 
changes are very liable to infest them with mildew. 
Should any trace of this be found, dust liberally with 
sulphur, and place them by themselves at the best 
ventilated portion of the house. 
Perhaps it may be necessary to say that the structure 
containing these plants must be scrupulously clean, 
and all old staging material, whether of coal-ash, sand 
or fibre, should be removed, replacing it with fresh. 
So far, we find nothing so good as the siftings of hard 
burnt coal-ash, as they keep clean for a long period. 
Azaleas, if in a sheltered position, may remain out 
with advantage for some time longer, for it will harden 
the foliage, and there will be less danger of thrip 
infesting the plants than if they are stored at once. 
If not protected, there is much danger of the plants 
being blown over and seriously damaged, and in all 
probability the pots broken—a rather serious matter 
with large specimens, because the balls can never be 
properly fitted. Take the hint then, and make all 
secure. 
Gloxinias. — We have looked over the stock of 
Gloxinias which were put in the cold pits to ripen off ; 
those which were starting have been shook out and 
re-potted, and the remainder stored under the stages of 
the intermediate house, the pots being laid on their sides, 
of course, to prevent the drip from entering the soil, 
which, as they will be unnoticed for some time, would 
probably cause the loss"of the bulbs. 
Dracaenas for Winter Decoration should now 
receive a little extra attention, that is, those required 
should at once be placed on a shelf near to the glass 
(but not in contact with it), so that the foliage may be 
as fully coloured as possible. Two of the best, we find, 
are Cooperi and nigro-rubra; another equally valuable, 
but which does not need to be exposed to the light, is 
D. gracilis, one of the very best and most reliable of all 
decorative plants. I think I gave our mode of propaga¬ 
tion in the spring, and those who followed it should 
now have a really good and useful stock of plants. 
The Chrysanthemums for staging purposes, and 
which, as a rule, are kept in small-sized pots, will now 
require to be liberally treated, and should receive liquid 
manure at every watering; at the same time as much 
variation as possible should be made in that applied, 
but at any rate use abundantly that made from cow or 
deer manure with soot added, and for artificial, use 
alternately the best guano and Clay’s Fertilizer. As soon 
as the pompons show flower, and where small dwarf 
pots are used for edgings to groups, the tops should be 
taken off, and five or six put into a 5-in. pot and struck 
as quickly as possible for the purpose ; the varieties of 
Cedo Nulli, President and Princess Imperial we find 
the best. _ 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —As the fruit is cut from the Vines, let 
the lateral growths be pruned back to, say, three or 
four leaves ; and if the border has been kept dry for 
any length of time, let it receive a good soaking of 
water, with manure if thought necessary. All Grapes 
should now be quite finished. The hot season has been 
favourable for an early ripening, so all that is necessary 
in late houses is to gradually inure both foliage and 
fruit to cooler treatment, in order that they may with¬ 
stand the damp of autumn. The houses containing 
Hamburghs must be kept as dry and airy as possible. 
Unfortunately, through being compelled to net against 
the visitations of wasps, air does not circulate so freely 
as we would wish ; added to which, as our vineries are 
in a low situation, a few berries are already to be 
noticed rotting. This ought not to be ; but still, 
taking into consideration an unfavourable position, 
together with the sudden change in temperature and 
atmosphere outside, it is not much to be wondered at. 
To counteract, as much as possible, the evil effects, 
we nicely warm the pipes in the morning, opening only 
the top lights until the air becomes somewhat drier, 
when all ventilators are fully opened, except in the 
event of rain. We have pruned away all superfluous 
lateral growths, both in the Muscat and Lady Downe’s 
vineries. By leaving them on longer, the Vines, if at 
all vigorous, are very frequently encouraged to make a 
late autumn growth, which is very undesirable. What 
is far better, they should now be allowed to go gradually 
to rest, simply taking care that the borders are in a 
proper condition as regards moisture. 
THE] KITCHEN GARDEN. 
General Work. — The weather having been so 
favourable for all ground work, all is now well in hand, 
permitting the doing of a variety of odd jobs which 
add greatly to the neatness of a garden ; such as 
straightening and replacing of broken edging tiles, 
edging of verges where much worn, and so on. Let 
the clipping of shrubs and hedges be completed with¬ 
out delay ; and where the cuttings for propagation have 
all been taken off let the beds be gone over, old flower- 
trusses removed, and the beds and borders made as 
neat and trim as possible. 
Gathering Fruit.— We have finished the gathering 
of Beurre de l’Assomption, Bon Chretien and Beurre 
d’Amanlis Pears, and also of Marie Louise from an east 
wall (these ripen much earlier than those grown on a 
western aspect, and, as a rule, are of first-rate quality). 
Apples have turned out a most unsatisfactory lot, 
eighty per cent, being grubby, and consequently worth¬ 
less for storing. We have pricked out a good quarter 
of Brown Cos Lettuce, and also of both kinds of Endive; 
the showery weatherjwill assist them in starting, but to 
prevent damage by slugs, we sprinkle the surface of 
the ground after planting with gas-lime—the best 
preventative with which we are acquainted. 
Winter Crops. —Pay every attention to the July 
sowings of Parsley, and encourage it to grow as freely 
as possible ; the same remarks apply to Celery and 
Spinach. Much use will, in all probability, be made 
of the former as a vegetable, on account of the scarcity 
of green crops. Brussels Sprouts are sadly blighted, 
and at present quite unfit for use ; Cauliflowers are 
turning in freely, but are not at all as they should be. 
Take care that the French Beans in the pits are freely 
ventilated or they will draw and be of little use; during 
favourable weather the lights should be entirely re¬ 
moved,— Walter Child, Croome Court. 
ORCHID NOT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
Lycaste cruenta. —Notwithstanding that this 
species has somewhat smaller flowers than some of the 
more popular and better-known kinds, it is, in itself, 
very distinct, elegant, and floriferous. The sepals are 
greenish yellow, as in many of the species ; while the 
petals are deep orange-yellow, as well as the labellum. 
The latter organ is of a deep blood-red at the base, 
giving rise to the specific name. Not only does this 
distinguish the species from L. aromatica and L. 
cochleata, but the small, longitudinal, almost obsolete 
tongue is altogether different from the comparatively 
huge structures of that name in the species mentioned. 
The lip is also curiously shell-shaped, and sharply 
reflexed immediately above the hinge-like claw ; and 
what is even more remarkable, the beard on the 
column, also visible in other species, is very copiously 
and conspicuously developed in this instance. Amateurs 
and beginners might well give L. cruenta a trial, as it 
succeeds admirably amongst a collection of other plants, 
such as greenhouse stuff. The group of Lycastes at 
Sudbury House, Hammersmith, is rather rich in species, 
including this one. 
Vanda limbata. —As a rule, the Vandas attain 
proportions that militate against their cultivation by 
growers whose space is limited. In this species, 
however, we have a striking exception, for its vegetative 
part—-that is, the stems and foliage—occupy a space no 
greater than a Saccolabium or Aerides ; in fact, when 
not in flower, the large aerial roots thrown out by it, 
and the rigid, channelled, unequally bifid leaves, bear 
a strong resemblance to the plants named, while the 
stems are short. The long flower-scape stands erect 
above the foliage, as Phalamopsis Esmeralda does 
amongst its kind, and bears a goodly number of pretty 
and striking, though not, by any means, gorgeously- 
coloured flowers. The rounded sepals and petals are 
heavily spotted and reticulated with brownish purple 
on a yellow ground, and the rosy labellum has a 
curiously bifid limb, with divergent lobes. Mr. 
G. Beaton, Style Hall, Gunnersbury, grows it in a 
basket suspended near the glass in a house with an 
intermediate temperature, and flowers it well. 
Powder on Lip of Maxillaria venusta.— 
Gardeners have often noticed the existence of a pale 
yellow powder covering the whole of the upper or inner 
surface of the labellum of this Orchid, and no doubt 
there has been great speculation as to the value or 
economy of this powdery-looking substance ; while I 
have even been interrogated seriously whether it could 
not be utilised for the purpose of fertilising the flower— 
whether, in fact, the material in question had not the 
same physiological potential as pollen. An answer in 
the negative to such a query is always a safe reply. 
Although so peculiar to this species, the powder is not 
even a new structural development ; but it may be a 
highly specialised one, intended to attract a particular 
insect or insects. They seem, in fact, to be highly 
specialised hairs, consisting of single rows of cells 
densely arranged on the labellum, so as to appear to 
the naked eye as a coating of a dusty or waxy sub¬ 
stance. These rows of cells are very much inflated or 
swollen, and filled with an oily material in streaks 
and globules, giving the cells under a low power of the 
microscope a reticulated appearance. The yellow 
colouring matter may at first be equally diffused through 
the contents of the cell ; but after a time it becomes 
aggregated in one locality—generally at one of the 
ends—where it forms a much denser mass than the 
rest of the contents. The swollen cells appear monili- 
form or necklace-like, owing to the septa not enlarging 
in proportion to the other parts, so they assume an 
oblong, oval, or elliptic shape, and are easily detached 
from one another. In this respect they greatly re¬ 
semble fungic hyphte that become constricted to form 
spores for the reproduction of the fungus. The most 
feasible explanation of this phenomenon is that the 
hairs of the labellum become specialised to act as food 
for the insect visitors which effect fertilisation in the 
native habitat of the Orchid. Hairs of a more ordinary 
kind are frequently to be seen on the labellum and 
column of other species of Maxillaria. — J. F. 
The Disas at Birdhill, Clonmel. — In my 
reference to Mr. Gough’s Orchids, in the issue of The 
Gardening World for the 27th ultimo, I incidentally 
referred to two varieties grown here (D. grandiflora and 
D. g. violacea), and noted that neither produced as 
many blooms as Mr. F. W. Burbidge had found on 
those grown by Mr. F. Bedford at Straffan — viz., 
twelve. I find this number was produced on that 
