252 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 17, 1887. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Heaths. —It will be as well, now that fogs are 
not so frequent, to have a careful look over the 
Heaths, as it frequently happens that they are stored 
without it being noticed that the plants are suffering 
from mildew, the first intimation of which is that when 
turned round to prevent drawing or otherwise, the 
foliage falls in showers. Should this be the case, extra 
precautions must be adopted, and the sulphur dredger 
be kept constantly in use amongst the plants affected. 
Specimen Epacris may be similarly treated, as they are 
equally liable. Watering, too, should be carefully 
done, and only when absolutely necessary, while at the 
same time never allow the balls to become dry, as this 
is fatal as a rule. Ventilate the structure as freely as 
possible, but avoid the application of fire-heat so long 
as frost does not enter. 
Tuberoses.—W e have potted up some Tuberoses, and 
they will be plunged in a gentle bottom heat to induce 
them to root freely, be kept quite close to the glass, 
and cool overhead to prevent drawing. When es¬ 
tablished they are better placed on shelves close to the 
glass, where the growth can thoroughly ripen and 
develop, for if this be not done they do not flower 
so satisfactorily. Afterwards they can be had in flower, 
as desired, by the application of extra heat. Attend 
carefully to Camellias, particularly in the watering, 
which must be most carefully done, or the plants are 
extremely liable to drop their buds. The same 
remarks apply to these as to Heaths with regard to 
the application of fire-heat and ventilation. Should 
there be any trace of worms in the pots or tubs, 
water with soot and clean lime water, which will 
quickly remove them ; and to keep up a full supply 
of cut bloom—if there are any indications of being 
short— place a plant or two in gentle heat. Pro¬ 
bably some of those giving the first flowers will now be 
over, in which case no better place can be found for 
them than a vinery or Peach-house which is just 
started, where the plants can be kept frequently 
syringed, and be in a position to excite them to grow ; 
but where the growth made may be such as is required 
to produce first-rate flowers next autumn, as the tem¬ 
perature is raised they must be transferred to cooler 
quarters, until finally placed out-of-doors for the 
summer. 
Christmas Flowers. —Much may be done yet 
before Merry Christmas is upon us, by the bringing 
forward or retarding plants for furnishing a full supply 
of cut flowers. For instance, if any doubt exists as to 
quantity lift some of the strongest clumps of Helle- 
borus niger vars, and place them in leaf-soil on a mild 
bottom-heat, they will then produce in good time a 
quantity of their pearly white blossoms which are most 
useful for decoration, as they last a long time after 
being cut. Azaleas, if too forward, may be placed in a 
cool-house, but they must be kept free from draughts. 
Deutzias may have extra bottom-heat, which will 
cause them to open more readily. If pot plants are in 
much demand, then some of the best of the Primulas 
should be selected and placed in the intermediate-house, 
so that full heads of bloom may be had ; these will be 
found most useful for house decoration. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Cucumbers. —"We have made up a hot-bed for succes¬ 
sion Cucumbers ; the hillhocks will at once be placed 
on it, and when warmed the plants put out, which, being 
good-sized stuff, will quickly come into bearing. 
Maintain a good growing temperature by the frequent 
damping of walks, walls, &c., keeping the pipes well 
■warmed, so that the thermometer rises to 75° by day 
with a little air on, allowing it to fall gradually 
towards night, w T hen 65° will be sufficiently high. 
Should green or black-fly make its appearance fumigate 
with Tobacco-paper, which effectually destroys it. 
It will be advisable to make a sowing of some reliable 
sort, to take the place of those plants which have been 
fruiting through autumn and winter, and also Tomatos 
in the next compartment. These last-named have 
furnished us with a really good lot of fruit, and have 
been most useful. 
Melons.— It is too early to sow Melons ; but, still, 
where specially required, a sowing of some well-tried 
kind may be made. They must not be relied upon to give 
a heavy crop of fruit, for if two can be obtained from a 
plant thus early it ought to be deemed sufficient. Be 
very careful in the warming and ventilating of all 
early-forced things, as the days are very short, with 
scarcely any sunshine to give texture to the growth 
made, which, if subject to too much heat, cannot be 
otherwise than unsatisfactory. As the shelves in the 
houses become cleared let them be filled with pot 
Strawberries from the north pits, for in this way they 
start gradually, and succeed those placed in the heated 
pit, as previously advised, and which, as they throw 
up their trusses, should be moved from the pit on to 
shelves in the intermediate house. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
While the weather continues so dry overhead,push 
on with the digging of all vacant squares, so that all 
may appear as neat and tidy as possible. Go over the 
Broccoli squares and lift any that may be large enough 
for use or nearly so, and heel them in in any spare 
corner, where if not required at the time they may be 
protected with mats or bracken. We have a nice 
square of Snow’s which are buttening, and these will be 
heeled in the square, placing the heads towards the 
north and putting a spit of soil over the stem, to 
protect and also to keep them in position. See that 
the Cauliflowers in the frames do not become drawn ; 
to keep them as hardy as possible the lights should be 
drawn off, except in the case of rains or severe frosts. 
Some of the most forward of the Endive may be 
carefully lifted and placed on the floor of the Mush¬ 
room house, where they will bleach readily. We have 
prepared the next pit for Potatos, and they will be 
treated as previously advised ; the sets may, with 
advantage, be started in heat at once. We have not 
yet finished the pruning of Currant bushes, but hope to 
do so within a few days ; as the work goes on let 
sufficient cuttings of each be selected, as they can be 
heeled in, and will give employment when raining or 
unfit for outdoor work.— Walter Child, Croome Court. 
-- 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
Epidendrum cochleatum majus.— Of this 
vast genus very few bear flowers sufficiently large or 
ornamental to find favour with the general cultivator. 
This, however, might well merit a place in a collection 
from the size and curious form of the flowers. E. 
fragrans is, perhaps, more frequently met with in 
private establishments, but the flowers are certainly 
inferior in size and general effectiveness. It, however, 
manages to secure a certain amount of popularity from 
the delicious fragrance of its flowers, which is retained 
by them for a considerable time. The merits of E. 
cochleatum are greatly enhanced by the colour and 
shape of its curiously-formed lip, which resembles a 
shell, as implied in the specific name. The latter 
organ is reversed in this species, so that it occupies 
the upper side of the flower, and is shortly heart- 
shaped, blunt and concave, blackish purple externally 
and yellow internally, while the sepals and petals are 
long, narrow and greenish yellow. It is flowering at 
Devonhurst, Chiswick, from an importation lately 
received from the West Indies. 
Phalaenopsis Stuartiana. —Much has been 
spoken and written of late concerning the Phalaenopsis 
belonging to Mr. Partington, of Heaton House, Ches- 
hunt, and with your permission I will add my testi¬ 
mony, in a very few words, to the marvellous state of 
perfection to which these plants are grown by the 
enthusiastic and able gardener, Mr. Searing. For 
sundry reasons I only took written particulars of one 
plant, that mentioned above, although every plant is 
a marvel of high cultivation in itself. Most growers 
are aware that P. Stuartiana and its varieties are not 
the freest to grow. My surprise was great on seeing 
this plant with eight leaves—the longest about 11 ins. 
—with a branched spike bearing sixty-six buds ready to 
burst in a few days. Well might Mr. Searing say that 
if he were to tell anyone they would not believe it. 
I have read all that has been written about them of 
late, and, by the kind permission of Mr. Partington, I 
was enabled to go and see for myself ; and on entering 
the house and looking on such wonderful development 
of nature’s richest gems, I could truly say, with the 
eastern queen of old, “Behold, the half hath not been 
told.” Mr. Searing’s mode of treatment has been 
detailed in the gardening papers, and may be sum¬ 
med up thus: carefully excluding the burning rays 
of the sun during summer, but giving the plants the 
full benefit of the morning and evening light, with the 
inside atmosphere approaching saturation, the mois¬ 
ture arising from the bath and staging of shingle, 
where salt is spread about several times during the 
year. From now onward, through our dull winter 
months, all the light possible is admitted, care always 
being taken not to use more fire-heat than is necessary 
to maintain a night temperature of 65°. On frosty 
nights the roller blinds are let down rather than push 
the fire.— II. C. Fraser, The Woodlands, Streathara. 
Vanda.—In the most interesting letter on Vanda 
spathulata sent to you by Sydney Courtauld, Esq., I 
note that the word “Vanda” is said to be in Tamil 
used in reference to a beetle or other form of insect 
life— a la “Bee Orchis” it maybe. In “ Orchids ’ 
by E. S. Band, junr., p. 474, I find the following: 
“Vanda is, in Sanskrit, the sacred Mistletoe of the 
Oak, the Oak being Vandaca. Thus the name was 
extended to parasites and epiphytes in general, but 
always with an addition as Amaravanda —a tree 
Orchid.” 
No doubt the Tamil coolies of Ceylon use many 
Sanskrit words, and these may now have perverted 
meanings. I wish, should this catch the eye of a 
Sanskrit scholar, that he would kindly enlighten us on 
the matter. Ada is another generic name of which the 
meaning seems obscure. — F. W. B. 
-- 
FLO RICULT URE, 
The National Auricula, Carnation and Picotee, 
and Dahlia Societies. —The special societies had a 
busy day on Tuesday. At noon the subscribers to the 
National Auricula, and National Carnation and Picotee 
Societies met in the Conservatory at South Kensington, 
followed by that of the Grand National Dahlia Show, 
and muddle, muddle was the order of the day. The 
business matters of the societies are but small in 
quantity ; but it is indifferently transacted—no agenda 
paper is drawn up, and so things are taken in a some¬ 
what haphazard fashion. This is quite true of the 
management of all the above societies ; but there is no 
reason why it should be so. They are all in the hands 
of little coteries, who convene meetings to suit their 
own personal convenience, and generally at a most 
inconvenient time for the body of the subscribers. A 
prompt business-manager is badly wanted so that things 
might be done decently and in order. 
In the case of the National Auricula Society a report 
was read, and then an outline of accounts was sub¬ 
mitted ; the treasurer stating that the balance-sheet had 
been sent to someone, and that the accounts had not 
been audited. But it was said there was a substantial 
balance in hand, as a financial result of both exhibi¬ 
tions. The officers and committee were re-elected 
en bloc, Mr. H. Selfe Leonard being added to the 
latter. The time and place of the annual show, and 
the revision of the schedule, together with the election 
of judges, were referred to the committee, and there the 
matter ended. 
The National Dahlia Show promoters proceeded 
much upon the same lines, only they dropped the title 
of “Grand,” and agreed to form a society. In this 
case a balance-sheet was presented, and, as in the case 
of the National Chrysanthemum society, a list of the 
prize-winners was published, with the sum of money 
taken by each. One never sees a statement of this kind 
in connection with the Auricula and Carnation and 
Picotee Societies, but in both cases I should think nearly 
one-half of it goes into the pockets of two exhibitors. 
Perhaps this is why no statement of this character is 
printed. The income of the National Dahlia Show 
was £5133 Is. 6 d. ; £62 5s. 6 d. of this having been 
received in subscriptions, and £50 from the Crystal 
Palace Company. Every penny was expended, and a 
certain sum was deducted from the prize-money won 
by the trade growers to make both ends meet. The 
annual show will take place at the Crystal Palace, on 
September 7th and 8th, in next year. Having reached 
this point, it was then suggested that a National 
Dahlia Society should be formed, and the Rev. Charles 
Fellorces, Shottesham Rector}', Norwich, was appointed 
the president; Messrs. J. McIntosh, Shirley Hibberd, 
AY. H. Cullingford, and G. Harris (Orpington), vice- 
presidents ; and a committee of eight persons, consist¬ 
ing of Messrs. H. Cannell, H. Turner, AY. H. AVilliams, 
Arthur Rawlings, Edward Mawley, AA 7 . T. Girdlestone, 
J. Henshaw, and J. T. AYest; with Mr. Henry Glass¬ 
cock as the treasurer and secretary. Some suggestions 
were made with a view of reviewing the schedule, par¬ 
ticular stress being laid by Mr. George Paul on the 
necessity for encouraging the growers of small collec¬ 
tions of Dahlias, both amateur and professional, and 
these were referred to the committee, which will meet 
in the second week in January.— Quo. 
