October 8, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
93 
day, 65° at night; Cattleya or intermediate house, 
65° to 70° bj' day, 60 at night; Odontoglossum or cool 
house, 60° to 65° by day, 55° at night. — James 
O'Brien. 
Gomezia planifolia. — Horticulturally, the 
members of this genus do not attract much attention, 
probably on account of the comparatively small size 
of the flowers ; but there are many things cultivated 
with zeal, and sought after with avidity, that are less 
interesting and less ornamental. The species under 
notice flowers regularly, producing long pendent 
racemes bearing numerous pale yellow, agreeably frag¬ 
rant flowers. The interest attaching to the latter is, 
that the individual flowers resemble a human being 
dressed up in the garb of a soldier. The upper sepal 
hooded over the column represents the head gear, while 
the stigmatic disk is equivalent to the face ; the petals 
resemble arms ; the lateral sepals constitute the legs ; 
and the closely reflexed labellum resembles a well- 
formed chest. The comparison may be imaginative, 
but it is, nevertheless, very striking. As to culture, 
that which accords with Odontoglossums, or a tem¬ 
perature somewhat higher answers the requirements 
admirably. Mr. Wright, of Devonhurst, Chiswick, 
grows and flowers this species well in an intermediate 
house, using pots and a compost similar to that suitable 
for Odontoglossums. Its value is also enhanced by 
flowering at this dull season of the year. 
Dendrobium formosum giganteum. —This 
somewhat slow growing and, in certain cases, difficult- 
to-manage Orchid, succeeds well under the care of Mr. 
Wright, Devonhurst, Chiswick, and flowers every 
year, sometimes oftener in a twelve-month. The flower¬ 
ing, moreover, depends a good deal upon the time that 
the pseudo-bulb ripens ; and it sometimes makes young 
growth at a time when light in the neighbourhood of 
London is somewhat deficient, and that, coupled with 
the necessity of keeping the house in which it is grown 
at a lower temperature than this Dendrobium likes 
when making growth, renders the management of it 
somewhat more difficult than it would otherwise be. 
The huge white flowers, with their familiar large orange 
throat or palate, are very welcome at this season, and 
the flowers we witnessed the other day were clean, of 
good substance, and very attractive. 
Dendrobium macrophyllum. — The true 
species of this name is very different from the plant 
which in gardens often bears the name of D. macro¬ 
phyllum giganteum, and which is no other than D. 
superbum, specially noted for its strong, rather dis¬ 
agreeable, odour — comparable to that of Turkish 
Rhubarb. The flowers of the latter are purple, whereas 
those of the species under notice are a greenish yellow 
in general appearance. They are produced in terminal 
racemes of greater or less length, according to the 
strength of the plant, and have a noticeable singular 
appearance, from the quantity of coarse greenish yellow 
hairs that cover the exterior of the sepals, the ovary 
and pedicels. The lip is more or less spotted with 
purple, and spreads itself out so as to constitute the 
most conspicuous feature of the flower. Although on 
the whole it cannot be considered a very ornamental 
species, it takes rank as an interesting one along with 
D. Harveyanum and D. Brymerianum, than the latter 
of which, however, it is less ornamental. It is any¬ 
thing but common in gardens ; but a flowering 
specimen may be seen in the East Indian house at Kew. 
Cycnoch.es chlorochilum. —Although various 
species of this singular genus have been introduced 
from time to time, they do not seem to become very 
popular or widely cultivated. Owing to this fact we 
have only an occasional opportunity of seeing them. 
The species under notice was in flower last week in 
Mr. B. S. Williams’ nursery, at Holloway, and was 
conspicuous for the size and structure of its flowers, and 
in some respects resembles a Catasetum, except in the 
absence of the sensitive antennae, The large spreading 
sepals and petals are greenish yellow, offering a contrast 
to the labellum, which is much paler (almost white), 
and having a peculiar fleshy or waxy appearance. The 
latter organ is reversed, and occupies the upper part of 
the flower. As if to compensate for general incon¬ 
spicuousness or want of attraction for winged visitors, 
t.he flowers are deliciously fragrant, in all probability 
advertising and making themselves popular in this 
way. It was originally introduced from Demerara 
nearly fifty years ago, and requires stove treatment, 
similar to what is given the Catasetums. 
Spathogflottis angustorum. —Amongst the 
ten or twelve known species of this genus, none are 
calculated to produce the same decorative effect, or such 
a lively interest in Orchid growers themselves. In a 
word, this may be described as the best of the species, 
and although hitherto the other varieties grown have 
enjoyed but indifferent attention outside of botanic 
gardens, the presence of this noble species may serve 
to induce the cultivation of, at least, the best of the 
other forms such as S. Lobbii and S. Fortunei. Many 
of the species are so closely allied as to be with difficulty 
distinguished one from another, especially in the dried 
state ; but no difficulty need be experienced with the 
present form, which so far exceeds the other in stature 
and general effect, as daylight differs from darkness. 
The plicate leaves attain a height of from 3 ft. to 5 ft., 
while the flower spike, about 3£ ft., stands erect, densely 
furnished at the apex with large bracts, from which 
flowers are given off in succession for a period extending 
over many weeks if the plants are strong. The sepals 
and petals are blush-coloured, while the labellum is 
rose with darker lateral lobes ; and the claw-like and 
conspicuous elongation of the middle lobe is very 
striking and interesting. Being terrestrial herbs, the 
species of Spathoglottis enjoy a compost of loam, leaf- 
soil, and a quantity of sand, with abundance of drain¬ 
age to allow the superfluous moisture necessitated by the 
heavy waterings during the growing season to escape. 
We witnessed a fine specimen at Oswald House, 
Edinburgh, under the care of Mr. R. Grossart, 
gardener to R. Buchanan, Esq. 
Cattleya Dowiana aurea. —In point of colour, 
the type must necessarily be considered the best form 
of this grand Cattleya ; but the variety under notice, 
being somewhat more vigorous in constitution, responds 
with greater satisfaction to the skill of the cultivator. 
On the occasion of a recent visit to Salisbury Green, 
Edinburgh, we enjoyed the rare opportunity of seeing 
both the typical and the present form in flower, so that 
the floral differences as to colour were readily discernible. 
The sepals and petals are a deep nankeen yellow, 
while the large and handsome labellum is beautifully 
frilled and crisped at the margin, and of a rich purple 
shaded with violet, except all over the central area, 
where the yellow colour prevails, striated with faint 
purple lines. In the typical form, the rich purple tint 
exists all over, and this is closely striated and reticulated 
towards the sides with a rich golden yellow hue. This 
latter is certainly the finer form of the two, and is 
more difficult to cultivate. Mr. Laing has flowered 
the variety C. D. aurea three years in succession, and 
he grows both forms in pots, although baskets are con¬ 
sidered by some more favourable to success. They also 
require a little more heat than is accorded to Cattleyas 
in general, and are essentially autumn-flowering kinds, 
although we may occasionally see them in winter, 
according to the treatment they have received. 
-- 
FLORICULTURE. 
The Sweet William.— Referring to “A. D.’s” 
remarks on the Sweet William in your last week’s 
issue, I may just say that very few know what the true 
Auricula-eyed Sweet William is—“A. D.,” I fear, 
amongst the number. I think I may venture to say 
that I do, as I introduced this variety many years ago 
as “Dean’s Auricula-eyed Sweet William.” 
As originally introduced by me, the colours were 
shades of rich crimson, with a large pure white circular 
centre and a wire margin of white, with very little 
serration of the edge. For some years I was not able 
to devote attention to this plant, and, as a rule, it was 
not kept distinct from Hunt’s strain, getting mixed up 
with it ; consequently, I had a difficulty in securing 
the true strain again. I have it now, and a large 
number of plants from seed saved by myself for 
blooming next year. I named it “Auricula-eyed” 
because when I first had it so true and very fine the 
eye—or, rather, centre—of the flower was so large, 
clear in colour, and well defined as to remind me plainly 
of a good self or Alpine Auricula. 
A first-rate strain of Sweet William should be in 
every garden, for it is a grand old-fashioned plant 
which has been wonderfully improved by florists. 
Hunt, of Wycombe, and Bragg, of Slough, worked up 
to great perfection the strain known as “Hunt’s”; 
and Mr. Samuel Barlow has devoted very great attention 
to the improvement of this variety. If we are all 
spared until next year, I will send you blooms of the 
true Auricula-eyed, and you can then see the difference. 
— TV. Dean , Walsall. 
Mr. Dodwell’s New Carnations and Picotees.— 
Mr. E. S. Dodwell, this autumn, offers seven new 
Carnations, as follows :—Alfred, scarlet bizarre, a 
seedling from John Bayley, S.F., with the rich colours, 
fine white ground, and high quality of Admiral Curzon 
and Dreadnought; large and smooth, one of the best. 
Mrs. Close, pink and purple bizarre, a seedling from 
John Keet, R. F., richly marked with delicate pink 
and lilac-purple ; large, smooth, fine substance, and 
high quality. President of Magdalen, purple flake, a 
seedling from Henry Cannell, S.F., good white, richly 
marked with deep purple ; large, smooth, and of fine 
substance. Alderman Buckell, scarlet flake, also a 
seedling from Henry Cannell, large, bold, bright, richly 
coloured, and of high quality. Dr. Benson, scarlet 
flake, a seedling from Arthur Medhurst, S.B , large, 
bright, of fine quality, and a good grower. Richard 
Dean, scarlet flake, a seedling from Mayor of Not¬ 
tingham, P.F., extra fine, bright, beautifully marked, 
of fine quality, and very smooth. Mrs. Henley, light 
rose or pink flake, also a seedling from Mayor of 
Nottingham ; in the way of Dorothy, but thought to 
be superior to that fine variety ; large, richly marked, 
and of the highest quality. In addition, Mr. Dodwell 
offers the following fancy Carnations, these being 
striped, flaked, or otherwise marked on coloured 
grounds:—Dr. Guinness, Jack Easy, Jacob Faithful, 
John Willett, Mr. Lockhart, Peter Simple, and The 
Maestro, rich scarlet ground, flaked with dark maroon. 
This variety was selected as the best fancy flower at the 
meeting of the Carnation and Picotee Union, at Oxford, 
in August. He also offers twenty-five new seifs, some 
of which were seen at the Oxford meeting. Among 
them is Gladys, delicate flesh-pink, a lovely colour, 
and this was selected as the best self at the Oxford 
Union meeting. 
The new Picotees are seven in number, and are as 
follows. Heavy purple edge : Amy Robsart, a seedling 
from Royal Visit (rose edge), pure white ground, 
broadly margined with rich imperial purple, of full size 
and great substance. Becky Sharp, heavy purple edge, 
the colour of the margin being narrow ; a seedling 
from Tirnice, P.E., of fine quality, being definitely 
margined with a band of clear lilac, and without spot 
or bar. Haidee, light purple edge ; a seedling from 
Ann Lord, P.E., very distinct, full size, fine form, 
good white, and great substance. Hero, medium 
purple edge ; a seedling from Zerlina, P.E , large and 
smooth. Lena, bright or sometimes a medium red 
edge; a seedling from Mr. Dodwell, R.E., with the 
finely-formed petal of the parent, but fuller, being 
margined with a solid band of bright red, and very 
pure. Alithea Grey, rose edge ; a seedling from Mrs. 
Payne (rose edge), of the same pleasing tint, but fuller, 
large and finely formed, and quality extra. Viola, 
scarlet edge ; a seedling from L’Elegant, of the same 
section, fine white, full size, smooth, and very 
definitely margined with a medium band of salmon- 
scarlet. 
Scarlet Bizarre Carnation, Robert Hohlgrave. 
—This fine new S.B. Carnation, raised by Mr. Samuel 
Barlow, Stakehill House, Castleton, Manchester, and 
which was awarded a First Class Certificate of Merit 
each time it was exhibited, will be distributed by the 
raiser during the present autumn. It is a large finely- 
formed flower of great brilliancy of colour, and has a 
rigid, erect, fine habit of growth. Ben Simonite has 
described it as “A really first-class flower; a great 
gem, and decidedly the best scarlet bizarre.” 
-- 
POTATO TRIALS AT CHISWICK. 
At a meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee 
held at Chiswick, on September 21st—present : John 
Lee, Esq. (in the chair), Messrs. Barr, Miles, Burnett, 
Fitt, Bunyard, Pearson, Norman, and Lane—the 
Committee examined the collection of Potatos growing 
in the gardens. The following varieties, selected as 
possessing good appearance and cropping qualities, 
were tested by cooking, and First Class Certificates 
awarded—viz. : 
Lord Tennyson (Fletcher).—Round flattened, purple- 
flaked, rough skin, white flesh, good quality. 
Day's Sunrise (Day).—Early white round, clear 
rough skin, white flesh, good cropper. 
Maincrop Kidney (Johnson).—White kidney, clear 
rough skin, white flesh, good cropper. 
Early White Beauty (Webber).—White round, clear 
rough skin, white flesh, good cropper. 
The committee inspected the collection of Tomatos 
grown in the open ground, the following varieties being 
selected as “types,” and awarded three marks each, 
viz :— 
Perfection .—Fruits large, smooth, round; red. 
Horsford’s Prelude. —Fruits medium, oblate, smooth, 
deep red, very freely produced. 
Open Air (Laxton).—Fruits medium, flattened, and 
somewhat corrugated ; early and free-bearing. 
King Humbert or Chiswick Bed. —Fruits oblong, 
angular, red ; great cropper. 
Golden Queen. —Fruits large, smooth, orange-yellow. 
