January 14, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
313 
suffused -with scarlet on a yellow ground, and merits 
cultivation as a novelty. 
The collection of Cypripediums is an extensive one, 
and contains many fine things in flower now. These 
include C. Sanderiana, C. Dayana, C. biflorum, C. 
Crossianum (a distinct hybrid between C. insigne and 
C. venustum, with a conspicuous golden yellow stami- 
node), C. Lindeni, C. Sallieri (with showy and 
conspicuous flowers of immense size), and the now 
famous C. Morgans (noted for the breadth of its densely 
spotted petals). C. insigne included some grand pieces 
of the best forms of the variety, and Maulei with its 
violet spots on a white ground. The white and green 
lines on the standard of C. Dayanum also constitute 
it a very distinct species. Dendrobiums are represented 
by the by-no-means common but pretty D. Goldiei, with 
violet-purple petals and paler sepals margined with 
white. A finely flowered piece of D. Linawianum, also 
known as D. moniliforme, is now attractive and hand¬ 
some. Strictly cool Orchids include a magnificent lot 
of broad-petalled, pure white, and richly blotched 
forms in great variety. Maxillaria lepidota, if not 
particularly showy, is certainly conspicuous on account 
of the length of its brown and yellow sepals and petals. 
elegans and A. schizophyllum, both characterised by 
graceful elegance, and small, slender pinnules; A. 
Williamsi is also in vigorous and healthy condition. 
Amongst recent additions to Selaginellas is S. gracilis, 
which was recently certificated. The stems are about 
15 ins. in height, giving off lateral, drooping, feathery 
branches of a highly ornamental character. S. amoena 
does not exceed 6 ins. in height, and appears like a 
very dwarf form of S. caulescens. A species named 
S. laevigata, better known as S. Lyalli, is noticeable 
for the dark green, shining character of its leaves and 
branches. 
Greenhouse and Stove Plants. 
Conspicuous amongst stove subjects was a Myrtaceous 
plant, named Jambosa acida, with huge three-ribbed 
leaves, reminding one of Pentagonia macrophylla, but 
having much more rugose or wrinkled leaves. Useful 
basket plants are the species of iEschynanthus, including 
the beautiful M. speciosus. A large quantity of that 
most useful decorative stove plant, namely, Dracrena 
Lindeni, with its well-known creamy yellow and green 
variegation, is grown in various and suitable sizes. The 
white-fruited Ardisia crenulata fructu albo contrasts 
strongly with the ordinary red-fruited type. Anthu- 
a few years ago, and many are still inclined to pooh 
pooh the so-called blue, but it is really a triumph of 
horticultural skill. The Messrs. Sutton’s strain of 
doubles really represents a different type of doubling 
from that of most other doubles coming under our 
notice, and all arose, we believe, from one oiiginal, 
and that all their present doubles have been obtained 
from that progenitor, and the different colours imparted 
by cross-breeding. 
It is impossible in the space at our disposal to do 
anything like justice to the magnificent group exhi¬ 
bited, and for which a Silver Gilt Medal was deservedly 
awarded. One excellent point about them is that 
their names are very simple and descriptive of the 
colours. Sutton’s Double Scarlet was an example 
of rich and brilliant colouring, while Sutton’s Double 
Rose was rosy pink, pretty, attractive and floriferous ; 
Carmine Flaked, is white, spotted, striped, flaked with 
carmine, and double ; Improved Double Carmine is 
distinctly carmine, dwarf and free ; Double White bears 
large trusses of pure white flowers, and is very flori¬ 
ferous ; the blue has also been infused into the double 
strain, as exhibited by well-grown dwarf and freely 
flowered specimens of Reading Blue. The double type 
Chinese Primroses—Single and Double Varieties. 
The panicled spikes of the attractively purple and white- 
blotched Odontoglossum ramosissimum should insure 
its being oftener seen in collections. 
Ferns and Selaginellas. 
A very representative collection of this useful class 
of plants is kept at this establishment, and is well 
worthy of inspection. The collection of Gleichenias is 
both extensive in number of species and varieties, as 
well as in quantity. The commonest type in gardens 
is that having foliage like G. circinata or similar, and 
to this we may add G. c. glauca, G. rupestris, G. 
dicarpa, G. semivestita, G. furcata, and G. Spelunc®. 
Very distinct from these are G. dichotoma and G. 
flabellata, especially the latter. The branches of the 
former are given off in pairs of a broad and feathery 
character, while in the latter the branches arise in a 
fan-shaped manner, rendering it one of the most dis¬ 
tinct and ornamental of Ferns, that every collection 
should possess. 
A noble piece of Platyeerium grande reminded us 
that this is the boldest and most effective of the Stag¬ 
horn Ferns. Davallias are numerous, and include 
amongst others D. fceniculaceum, with intensely dark 
green, much and finely divided fronds about 2 ft. or 
3 ft. in length. D. Fijiensis plumosa and D. tenuifolia 
Veitchii are also finely cut, very graceful and very 
choice. New and beautiful Adiantums are A. colpodes 
rium Leodense has ornamental foliage, the blade of 
which is from 1 ft. to 2 ft. in length, while the spathe 
is deep crimson, and the spadix cylindrical, stout and 
of a pink hue. 
A large collection of hybrid greenhouse Rhododen¬ 
drons contains all the best varieties, many of which 
are in bloom. Duchess of Connaught has large flowers, 
with a long tube and wholly of a deep crimson. The 
Cyclamens are now in grand condition, and exhibit a. 
most carefully selected strain in all the brightest and 
most attractive colours for which C. persicum is now 
noted, including crimson, maroon-crimson, white, rose, 
blush and magenta shades. 
-->£<->- 
THE READING- PRIMULAS. 
No one who saw the display of Chinese Primulas made 
by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, at the Royal Aquarium 
on "Wednesday last, could fail to admire the superb 
quality of the strain, or the wonderful variety of 
pleasing and attractive colours, ranging from the 
purest white, through blush, soft rosy pink to blue, 
red, crimson in intense shades, and the deepest and 
brighest red bordering on scarlet; and this notwith¬ 
standing the Cimmerian darkness which unfortunately 
prevailed. A true scarlet we may never expect to 
obtain, but the same might have been said of the blue 
as well as the singles are represented by the accom¬ 
panying illustrations, for which w r e are indebted to 
Messrs. Sutton & Sons. 
Reading Scarlet, which was ceitificated, is the first 
instance of this intense colour in the Fern-leaved type ; 
the flowers are single, as are all those of the undermen¬ 
tioned. Reading Blue is represented by the double above 
mentioned, by a Fern-leaved form, and by the single 
variety with the ordinary type of foliage, three forms 
in all. Snowdrift indicates the colour of an early and 
most floriferous variety, the flowers hanging on the plant 
till they shrivel; Ruby King is intense red, extremely 
dwarf and compact; the substance and size of the 
flowers of Giant White are remarkable ; Rosy Queen has 
rosy pink flowers produced in pyramidal masses ; 
Advance exhibits a globular mass of large rosy crimson 
blooms ; Pearl has large masses of white flowers tinted; 
a most charming variety is Picotee, edged with blush 
flowers and broad rose margin ; the hue of Giant Red 
is expressed in the name ; Rosy Lilac has somewhat 
asp-shaped large flowers ; Gipsy Queen is a fern-leaved 
form with very dark foliage much suffused with red, 
while the flowers are white and striped with red ; Fern- 
leaf White has large blush flowers and pale-green fern¬ 
leaved foliage without any tinge of red, and is, indeed, 
handsome. The group contained 252 plants, and was 
the admiration of visitors. 
