February 25, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
413 
stowing the white through. This may be a distinct 
form, but it is more likely that when it flowers in 
sunny weather it will be the best coloured C. exoniensis, 
which will not depreciate its value. The pure white 
Lycaste Skinneri and other good things are also in 
bloom, some of the Dendrobes exhibiting a high state 
of culture. 
Odontoglossum grande. 
A very large and richly coloured form of this is now 
blooming with Messrs. John Laing & Sons, of Forest 
Hill. The sepals are yellow, barred with reddish 
brown almost to the tips ; petals 2| ins. long, and 
1 in. wide, inner halves wholly chestnut-brown, outer 
clear yellow; lip large and flat, almost wholly reddish 
cinnamon, orange and yellow at the base ; column 
clear yellow. If it always maintains its characteristics, 
in a collection it would be a very good feature. 
Angr>ecum citratum. 
Something like 2,500 spikes of this charming Orchid 
are now to be seen in the Angrsecum house, noted by 
us recently, of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., the Clapton 
Nurseries. Such a sight of charming sprays of delicate 
sulphur-white flowers was never seen, and it is needless 
to say they are causing much attraction. 
Cypripedium van Houttei. 
At the last meeting of Belgian Horticulturists, held 
in Ghent, a remarkably fine new Cypripedium was 
exhibited under the above name by M. Jules Hye, 
and which was unanimously awarded a First Class 
Certificate. By the favour of M. Masereel, of Ghent, 
we have this week seen the novelty, which it seems M. 
Hye purchased from M. Jules de Cock, who had 
obtained it in a batch of C. Dauthieri from M. Louis 
van Houtte. From structure, shape, and colour, it is 
believed to be a hybrid between C. niveum and C. 
Dauthieri, or C. villosum, or C. Harrisianum. The 
most attractive and conspicuous part of the flower is 
the dorsal sepal, which is nearly orbicular, measures 
1J ins. in diameter, and is of a charming rosy purple 
colour, margined with white. The flower measures 
4 ins. across the petals, which are deep rose along the 
upper or posterior and longitudinal half, while the 
mid-rib is white, and the lower or anterior half is light 
pink. The lower sepal behind the pouch is white, 
while the pouch is deep rose. 
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The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Alocasias. —Now is a good time to proceed with the 
potting of such as A. Lowi, A. metallica, A. Thibautiana, 
A. Veitchii, and A. macrorhiza variegata. Belonging 
as they do to a class which develops aerial roots largely, 
they thrive best in a compost of fibrous peat, with a 
quantity of sphagnum, charcoal broken into small 
nodules, and silver sand. When placed in a genial 
temperature they will soon start into growth, and 
favoured by the lengthening days and increasing light, 
the leaves will be larger, of greater substance, and 
develop the beautiful bronzy, metallic, and silvery 
contrasting shades for which they are so much admired. 
The last mentioned, namely, A. macrorhiza variegata, 
proves more satisfactory, however, if grown in rather 
poor soil with a considerable quantity of loam, as the 
creamy white blotches of the leaves are best developed 
when not overfed, and the latter often come almost 
white. 
Pancratiums and Hymenocallis. —In potting 
these bulbs there are two leading methods that might 
be adopted. The first is that when five or six bulbs 
are put in a large pot, a noble and telling effect is 
produced, as they mostly come into bloom at one time. 
Where a large quantity is grown this plan might be 
carried out, otherwise, pot the strong bulbs singly, 
removing the offsets, thereby securing a succession. 
Good substantial and fibrous loam gives the most 
satisfactory results, and is the most lasting. Sand 
must be used to keep the soil porous ; but after growth 
has recommenced the large bulbs and the abundance of 
roots completely occupy the pots. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Chrysanthemums. —Those who still retain the old 
stools may find a use for them, as cuttings may be 
inserted from now onwards for some time. They should 
be placed in a sandy compost, and the pots plunged in 
bottom-heat, so as to favour the production of roots as 
rapidly as possible. Autumn-struck cuttings were best 
kept cool; but with spring-struck subjects, roots are 
better and more quickly developed when bottom-heat 
is applied. 
Petunias. —Old plants that have flowered and proved 
worthy of retention—whether double or some of the 
more choice single and striped kinds—should be pro¬ 
pagated now. They grow rapidly, and if intended for 
planting out, will be sufficiently large for the purpose 
by that time. If the old specimens do not bear wood 
suitable for cuttings, prune them back and place in 
heat, at the same time withholding water till they 
break away freely. 
New Holland Plants. —If wanted to flower in 
June and July, such things as Pimelia spectabilis, 
P. decussata, and Dracophyllum gracile should have 
their tips pinched out now or some time during this 
month ; and in order to retard them, keep in a cool 
house with a northern aspect, if such be available. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —The earliest house will by this time have 
the bunches ready for thinning, and if not already 
accomplished attend to the matter without delay. 
Permanent Vines started thus early should not be over¬ 
cropped, choosing rather to crop the later houses more 
heavily. Stop the laterals as they appear at the first 
leaf beyond the bunch until all the available space for 
foliage is covered, when, with the exception of a shoot 
at the end of the rod, further growth of wood should 
be prevented, as no advantage accrues by allowing the 
foliage to get overcrowded. This house should be kept 
at a temperature of 65° by night, allowing a rise to 75° 
by day. The Muscat house, if closed as advised, should 
now be pushing freely. Growth should be encouraged 
during fine weather and when the light is good, by 
allowing the temperature to rise appreciably by day, 
sprinkling the paths and borders, syringing the rods, 
and keeping the evaporating troughs well filled. In 
severe, foggy or cloudy weather give less moisture, and 
maintain a lower temperature, so that growth may not 
be unduly hurried in the absence of light. 
Mushroom Beds. —After the beds have afforded a 
crop for some time they will sooner or later exhibit 
signs of becoming spent, when they should be allowed 
to get partly dried up, and afterwards moistened down 
with tepid water, covering them up again with straw. 
By this means the fertility of the bed is often renewed. 
Other beds should be made up from time to time, 
according as the heat of old ones gets played out, and 
the demand for Mushrooms still exists. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Succession of Crops. —Calculations should be made 
previous to the time of planting, as to what area is 
available, and what will be required for any particular- 
crop or crops, so that no mistakes or delay may occur 
when the busy planting season comes on. Provision 
should also be made, or precautions taken that two crops 
of the same thing may not follow each other. For 
instance, Cabbages or Onions may follow Celery, as the 
two former delight in rich feeding. Potatos and Peas 
may precede or follow one another, but Peas should 
never follow Peas. All over the garden a succession or 
rotation of crops should be maintained. 
Roses are very forward on account of the com¬ 
paratively mild weather that prevailed during January. 
Except in the case of tender ones, such as Tea and 
China Roses, they may now be pruned and nailed to 
walls, or tied to pillars, trellis work or to stakes, 
according to the kind and the method of training. 
Bush Roses may also be hard pruned back, old and 
useless wood being cut away. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
The National Chrysanthemum. 
The Proposed Provincial Show. 
The following is an extract from the report of the 
Sub-Committee read at the meeting of the General 
Committee held on the 13th inst., and alluded to in 
our last: — 
The Sub-Committee met on February 3rd, when the 
whole of the correspondence that had transpired was 
read, and then the question as to the desirability of 
this society holding a provincial show was debated in 
all its bearings, with the result that the committee 
unanimously arrived at the opinion that it is most 
desirable in every way that the National should hold 
provincial shows, provided the society can be secured 
against heavy or substantial loss in so doing. It was 
further agreed that several societies in the north 
should be communicated with, with the view of ascer¬ 
taining their opinions as to the desirability of holding 
provincial shows, and also their willingness to co-operate 
in the matter. Amongst the towns so selected were 
York, Sheffield, Leicester, Newcastle, Manchester, and 
Darlington. 
The following basis of terms were agreed upon to 
enable the secretary to institute negotiations with any 
society that might be desirous of inviting the National 
to hold a provincial show in conjunction with their 
own—viz. : 1. That the local society should guarantee 
the National a stipulated sum towards the prize fund 
for the provincial show. 2. That the National should 
undertake to offer a sum for prizes in medals and cash, 
not less than one-third more than the sum guaranteed 
by the local society. 3. That an equal number of 
judges should be appointed by each society, the judges 
themselves selecting a referee. 4. That the local 
society undertake all the expenses usually attending 
a good Chrysanthemum show, and also the general 
arrangements, with the exception of those on the show 
day itself, which shall be carried out conjointly. 
5. The local society to take all gate and ticket money, 
and the National to receive one-third of the actual 
profits, if any, resulting from the show. 6. All 
members of the N. C. Society to be entitled to compete 
or visit the show free of charge. 7. The show to be 
styled, “The Provincial Show of the National Chry¬ 
santhemum Society, held in conjunction with the 
exhibition of the local Society. ” 
An adjourned meeting was held on February 13th to 
consider the further information and replies received 
from the northern societies, with the result that the 
committee unanimously recommended that the pro¬ 
vincial show for 1888 be held at Sheffield upon the basis 
of terms already suggested, and the invitation of the 
Sheffield and West Riding Society as set forth in Mr. 
Woodcock’s letter of February 8th. 
The adoption of this report having been formally 
proposed and seconded, Mr. Holmes read several letters 
from the hon. secretary of the Sheffield and West 
Riding Chrysanthemum Society, which indicated that 
an enthusiastic interest was being aroused in support of 
the scheme, and it was unanimously resolved that the 
report be adopted and referred to the sub-committee 
previously appointed to carry out the details. 
The National Society’s Catalogue. 
Mr. Holmes also read the following report respecting 
the proposed new Catalogue, which was at once adopted : 
“ The sub-committee have fully considered and discussed 
the question of a new catalogue in all its bearings, and 
now recommend 
A. —That the contents of the Catalogue shall include: 
1. A preface and statement of the procedure adopted in 
the preparation of the work, giving also the names of 
all those who have officially assisted in its compilation. 
2. A condensed history of the Chrysanthemum, to 
occupy about two pages only. 3. Selected and full 
descriptive lists of the best varieties for exhibition 
purposes in the following sections—viz., Incurved, 
Japanese, Japanese Reflexed, Reflexed, large Anemone, 
Japanese Anemone, Pompons, and Pompon Anemone, 
each section to be preceded by a typical illustration 
and brief description of its general characteristics. 
4. A complete alphabetical list of Chrysanthemums, 
with synonyms in italics, also indicating the sections 
to which each belongs; and, further, an abridged 
description of all those varieties not included in the 
selected lists. 
B. —That the following procedure be adopted in pre¬ 
paring the work. 1. That a Catalogue Committee of 
thirty be appointed, to consist of amateurs and gardeners 
only, each to be of acknowledged Chrysanthemum 
repute, but not necessarily members of the society. 
2. That a copy of the present catalogue be sent to all 
these members, with the request that each would make 
a supplementary list of any varieties that have come 
under their notice, and are not included in the present 
catalogue, and also to indicate, both in the catalogue 
and supplementary list, those varieties they consider 
worthy of culture for exhibition purposes, marking 
those suitable for specimen blooms with an X, and 
those for specimen plants with an 0. 3. That a 
Revision Committee of three be appointed, with power 
to call in further aid as they may require, to receive 
the returns from the Catalogue Committee, tabulate 
and revise them, and prepare for the press. 
C. —That advertisements be accepted on the following 
terms—30s. a page; 18s. half page, and selected 
positions by agreement. 
D. —That tenders be invited for printing the work, 
and that it be published at Is. per copy. 
E. —That the Catalogue Committee be constituted as 
follows—viz., Messrs. E. Molyneux, G. Gordon, 
