December 24, 1887. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
2G1 
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. 
A great many of these are of extremely ornamental 
character without any further artificial treatment than 
cutting them in a fresh state, or just as they come in 
flower, and drying them slowly, so as to avoid making 
them brittle. Arundo conspicua, one of the most or¬ 
namental of the larger exotic grasses that are hardy in 
this country, has its finely-panicled inflorescence 
greatly improved by bleaching, a process that may 
easily be done by anyone having a potful of boiling 
soapy water into which to dip the spray for a few 
minutes, afterwards washing with clean water and 
allowing to dry. The numerous hairs at the base of 
the spikelets, and to which the plumy appearance of 
the grass is due, becomes after the bleaching process 
almost white, and shines with a silky lustre. 
For the sake of variety, and to suit the taste and 
fancy of different people, the feathery plumes of this 
grass and others of an ornamental character are beauti¬ 
fully dyed with red, yellow, magenta, crimson, green, 
and other colours. Amongst these the species of 
Briza, including.B. maxima, Lagurus ovatus, Hordeum 
jubatum, Fiornia pulchella, Bromus brizseformis, and 
others represented in our illustrations, as well as the 
seaside Oat (Uniola), very bold and ornamental grasses, 
are largely used for decorative purposes, and, together 
with many of the Composites — popularly termed 
Eeverlastings—are dried in the natural state or dyed, 
forming a commercial commodity of some importance, 
of which we have evidence at any season iD Covent 
Garden Market and other places, but especially so at 
this season. The Cycad leaves illustrated by us, 
exhibit a curious method of curling the leaves, so that 
they may be used in decorative work. 
L. Barkeriana, Cypripedium oenanthum superbum, C. 
Harrisianum nigrum, Odontoglossum Wilckeanum, 
Oncidium tigrinum and papilio, Odontoglossum 
crispum, in ten different forms and varieties ; Odonto¬ 
glossum ramosissimum, Cypripedium insigne maxima, 
C. Roezlii, C. longifolius, C. collophyllum, C. callosum, 
Calanthe Yeitchii, Cypripedium Sedeni candidulum, 
&c., &c. 
The work done during the last three months by this 
new society has been most satisfactory, and it is 
anticipated on all hands that the displays next year 
will be more successful, and if possible give still greater 
pleasure to the members of the society.— L. Masereel, 
Ghent , December 1 9th, 1887. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN AT CHRIST¬ 
MAS TIME. 
At this season of the year, the visitor, on approaching 
some of the various entrances to the Market—and 
especially if he be a stranger—is struck with tlie large 
quantities of material got together, chiefly of an edible 
or decorative kind, to please the taste or fancy of those 
about to observe the ancient customs of this festive 
season. The huge masses of Mistleto, richly laden 
with their familiar white berries, create surprise in the 
minds of those who have only seen it growing in small 
quantities in this country, from whence it should come. 
Seeing also that its growth is extremely slow, the 
wonder is that the annual demand can be supplied 
year after year in such massive and aged pieces. 
Another almost equally prominent commodity consists 
of Holly boughs, richly laden with berries, which, 
judging from appearances, must be very plentiful this 
Briza maxima. 
hirsutissimum, C. Dautbieri, C. Harrisianum, and C. 
collophyllum. Mr. Do Meulenaere had half a dozen 
plants, amongst which were fine Lielia pumila 
(prrestans), Masdevallia Tovarensis, and Oncidium 
fuscatum. Mr. A. Van Imslioot had a curious Cypri¬ 
pedium Dauthieri ; Mr. H. Leonard had two fine 
Odontoglossum grande ; Mr. Van Noten, an amateur 
Lagurus ovatus. 
OEROLE DES ORCHIDOPHILES 
BELG-ES. 
The third and last meeting of the year, held yesterday, 
was a grand Orchid flower fete, considering the state of 
Orchid-culture here and the time of the year. There 
were nearly 100 plants shown, and all with fine fresh¬ 
looking flowers. The weather was as mild and bright 
as could be wished for, and the good attendance of 
high-class visitors gave much pleasure and satisfaction 
to the members. They are certainly repaid now for all 
the trouble they- have taken to establish the society. 
Eight amateurs contributed, and their plants were of 
first-class merit. There came also plants from five 
different nurseries, and Mr. Nilsson (of Paris) and Mr. 
Seager (of East Dulwich, London) honoured the 
meeting with their presence, and took part in the 
discussion which arose concerning the merits of the 
most noteworthy plants. 
I will do my best to make my report as brief as possible, 
still, I cannot, for the sake of some of your readers, 
close these notes without giving a list of some of the 
best plants. Mr. Meldepenninghe kindly sent an 
extra fine Odontoglossum crispum of the best type, 
with twenty-seven flowers on its arched spike ; 0. 
Insleayi splendens, an extra grand variety and strong 
plant, with seven flowers; and a fine Oncidium pulvi- 
natum. Mr. J. Hye had Cypripedium tessellatum 
porphyreum, C. Saltieri, and C. Crossianum, all being 
in extra fine condition of culture and flower. This 
gentleman also showed a plant of Masdevallia 
Tovarensis 2 feet across, with over 250 flowers. 
Mr. J. Bray contributed fine plants of Cypripedium 
Ornamental Grasses. 
from St. Nicolas, about twenty-two miles distant from 
Ghent, brought seme cut flowers, among which was a 
remarkable Masdevallia chiruaera ; this gentleman was 
sympathetically welcomed and he promised to send his 
flowering plants to the next meeting. 
Mr. Grenier, a young amateur, brought the finest 
variety of Cypripedium Lawrenceanum ever seen here. 
Messrs. Vuvlsteke, Pynaert, Jules de Cock, Desmet- 
Duvivier, and E. Vervaet & Co. had among their 
numerous contributions some fine plants and interest¬ 
ing varieties of Lrelia anceps, large flowers ; the variety 
year. Christmas trees of all sizes of the common 
Spruce (Picea excelsa) also remind us that specimens, 
with or without roots, pay the cultivator better for this 
special use than if he were to sell them for planting 
purposes. 
Another brilliant feature is the display of various 
dried grasses and everlastings, or, as they are termed by 
the French, “Immortelles.” In order to add to the 
variety and effect naturally produced by such things, 
the greater part of them are dyed with red, yellow, 
green, and other colours. As mere decorative subjects, 
they effect their purpose ; but lovers of the real and the 
natural might object to such artificial colouration. 
Prominent amongst the grasses—and, indeed, the 
richest and most magnificent, with its densely panicled 
but feathery inflorescence—is the Reed Grass (Arundo). 
The most natural is that which is simply bleached, 
bringing it out of a silvery whiteness. Beautiful also 
are the sprays of Stipa pennata, Lagurus ovatus, Briza 
maxima, Eragrostis elegans, and the Mace Reed (Typha 
angustifolia). These, according to their kind, are done 
up in bunches or bouquets of a very graceful nature, 
but usually very highly coloured. There are ever¬ 
lasting flowers, such as Helichrysum bracteatum and 
Rhodanthe Manglesii, but the greatest quantity consists 
of Antennaria Margaritacea, naturally of a creamy 
white, but dyed in various colours. 
Amongst fresh flowers there seems to be an unac¬ 
countable paucity of Orchids this season, and save for 
a few flowers of Cypripedium insigne, Maxillaria 
venusta, Odontoglossum crispum and a few sprays of 
Calanthe Veitchi, this grand and popular order is 
scarcely or very poorly represented. Forced flowers, 
