492 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 31, 1888. 
It is just as well that we should test matters of this 
kind in the most practical fashion which may present 
itself.— X. Y. 
Associateships of the R. H. S. 
I am sorry to find from your columns that the council 
of the Royal Horticultural Society have adopted the 
ridiculous nomenclature of “Associate ’ for half-guinea 
subscribers, and by refusing them ordinary privileges 
of membership have created a “pariah” class, which no 
man who has the slightest respect for himself will join. 
I can very well understand the objection of those 
Fellows who are employers, to see their employes enjoy¬ 
ing the same privileges as themselves. Ninety-nineo ut 
of every hundred gardeners, nursery foremen, &c., cannot 
afford honestly to give the society a guinea annually 
for many reasons, but specially because their incomes 
would render such expenditure hardly other than 
criminal. Therefore, when they pay even half a 
guinea they make a real pecuniary sacrifice for the 
benefit of the society, whilst richer people think no 
more of one or two guineas than they do of a cigar or a 
dinner ; and when the half-guinea is paid what return 
does the subscriber get ? Why, not one-tenth of those 
referred to as bond fide gardeners, &c., even if ever so 
willing to join the society, would get even one-fourth of 
their subscription’s worth back again. Indeed, a desire 
to maintain the society in its old position, and that 
alone, would be the dominating reason, and the council, 
in refusing to such subscribers anything like equal 
terms of fellowship with guinea subscribers, has deliber¬ 
ately slapped that desire in the face. Is that insult to 
the gardening fraternity the outcome of putting a 
gardener on the council 1 because if so, it is all the more 
discreditable. I would sooner fling my half guinea 
into the gutter than become an Associate under such 
offensive conditions.— A. D. 
-- 
ORCHID DOTES ADD GLEANINGS. 
Vanda undulata. 
The general appearance of this plant when out of 
flower reminds one of Renanthera coccinea. This is 
due to the upright and rod-like stems, furnished with 
short leathery leaves, arranged at some distance apart 
in a two-ranked manner. Being only from 2 ins. to 
4 ins. long, and somew’hat rigid, they stand out on 
each side of the stem horizontally. Flowers are pretty 
freely produced in axillary racemes ; both sepals and 
petals are white and undulated, giving rise to the 
specific name, being thus very different from those of 
most species, which are flat and vertical, or twisted 
round into a horizontal position. The greenish yellow 
three-lobed labellum is marked with orange lines on 
the disk. It was sent to Kew some years ago under 
the name of V. Goweri, and is flowering there now. 
It seems also to have been sold under the name of 
V. Gower*. Being a native of India it requires warm 
treatment like most of the species. 
Cypripedium cenanthum superbum. 
Cypripedium flowers command a good price in the 
market on account of their lasting properties as cut 
flowers. A bloom of the above-named beautiful 
variety, sent me from Glasnevin by Mr. Moore on 
February 1st, and which is still good on my table, is 
a case in point. This and a few other CyprijTediums 
placed in a loose bunch of the yellow Acacia dealbata 
(Mimosa of the market) make a really effective 
arrangement. The flower in question also enforces my 
argument that Orchids should not be cut until matured ; 
had it been cut earlier it would have been withered 
long ago.— J. O'B. 
Odontoglossum Pescatorei, hybrid. 
A GRAND hybrid, bright yellow with rich chestnut- 
hrown blotches, from Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., was 
sold at Stevens’ Rooms, on Thursday, March 22nd, for 
£38 17s., and two or three other good Odontoglossums 
fetched high prices, showing that rare varieties have in 
no way lost favour. A small plant of Cypripedium 
dilectum fetched twenty-eight guineas, and a specimen 
of Cymbidium Lowianum eighteen guineas the same 
day. 
Oncidium splendidum. 
At last from an importation of Messrs. F. Sander & 
Co., sold at Protheroe & Morris’s, on Friday, March 
23rd the true plant is distributed in fair quantity. 
The plants realised from £1 to £6, according to their 
size, and we think both buyer and seller ought to be 
satisfied. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
» r 
THE STOVE. 
Allamandas, Clerodendrons and Thunbergias.— 
These are now growing rapidly, and in the case of those 
that are trained to wires or trellis-work under the roof, 
care should be taken that they get properly regulated, 
both with a view of fully and economically occupying 
the space as well as to prevent the interlacing that 
would almost certainly accrue if left to themselves. 
We have also frequently seen rapidly growing climbers 
such as Beaumontia, Faradaya, and the above running 
up between the glass and the iron bars that brace the 
sashes together, and allowed to remain in that position 
till it was impossible to remove them. It is equally 
necessary to attend to the training of those that are 
grown in pots for exhibition. Allamandas frequently 
break badly, but owing to their rapidly growing 
character the shoots may be laid in so as to cover the 
naked parts. 
The stove as the sun becomes warm should now be 
allowed to run up to 85° or 90° by sun heat, shutting 
up early in the afternoon to retain the same. At night 
the temperature may be allowed to sink down to 65° or 
70°. _ 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Heaths, Epacris. —Those 
that require a shift into pots of a larger size should 
now have it done previous to or soon after the com¬ 
mencement of growth, so that the young roots may 
take possession of the fresh soil before it has a chance 
of becoming sour or pasty by watering. Of course, 
this applies to plants that have flowered early, such as 
Epacris and Heaths that have finished flowering some 
time ago, and were cut down. Those still in their 
heyday of perfection, of course, must not yet be inter¬ 
fered with so long as they are serviceable in the 
conservatory. Rhododendrons and Azaleas should 
have all the seed pods picked off as soon as they have 
done flowering, so that the whole energies of the plants 
will be concentrated on the production of fresh wood 
and flower buds. Straggling shoots may be tied in or 
cut away according as they are wanted or not to cover 
naked places. 
Potting Soil.— If the peat to be used is bad or 
earthy in its nature, it will be necessary in the case of 
the choicer subjects to sift it so as to get rid of the 
loose material, which can be used in the potting of 
various other plants that are less particular, retaining 
the fibrous portion for Heaths, Epacris, Azaleas, 
Aphelexis, Tremandras, and similar things. A good 
quantity of silver-sand should be incorporated with 
the peat to maintain porosity. Before knocking the 
plants out of the pots see that the soil is thoroughly 
moist, as, if potted while the ball is dry, it is almost 
impossible to make it absorb water, which sinks away 
through the new compost. Ram down the fresh soil 
firmly all round the ball with a blunt-pointed piece 
of wood. 
Primulas. — Sow seeds of Primula sinensis for 
autumn flowering. _ 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Strawberries.— The dull or cloudy weather that has 
prevailed for many weeks has been by no means favour¬ 
able to the proper colouring of this luscious fruit, 
which delights in a good amount of sunshine and 
moderate heat, especially during the ripening period. 
Whatever artificial heat may have been applied in the 
early part of their growth, the fruits will be deficient 
in flavour if not well ventilated and a lower temperature 
maintained during the ripening period. 
Vinery. —As the Muscats and secoud-early Vines 
come into flower the atmosphere of the house should be 
kept dry during the day, allowing the temperature to 
run up to 85° or 90° by sun-heat, to favour the process 
of setting. It may be allowed to sink to 70 3 by night, 
or even lower when the nights are cold. 
Peach Houses.— In tying in or training the shoots 
of the earlier houses be careful to expose the fruit as 
much as possible to light, as it never becomes so well 
coloured if shaded by leaves or branches. Of course, 
this will have to be attended to from time to time, as 
the fruits advance in size. Remove badly placed 
fruits, and thin out others where too thick; but the 
ultimate thinning should not be done till after the 
stoning period. . 
p IGS ,_The earliest houses that were started m 
November are now ripening off their fruits. It will, 
therefore, be necessary to discontinue syringing and 
give less water at the roots. Later houses where the 
fruit is just swelling should receive copious supplies of 
manure water, and be syringed to keep down spider. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Sowing should be prosecuted when the ground 
is moderately dry and workable, without puddling. 
Peas above ground, and Cabbages or Cauliflower that 
have been planted out should be sheltered—the former 
by staking, and the latter by brushwood or green 
branches stuck in on the north side of the lines to 
break north and east winds. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural. —March 21th. 
The first meeting of the Society in the Drill Hall, 
James Street, Victoria Street, took place on Tuesday last, 
when there was a good display of plants made by 
numerous exhibitors. Orchids, stove and greenhouse 
plants, including Camellias, forced subjects, such as 
Hyacinths, Roses, Daffodils and other hardy herbaceous 
plants. There was a good attendance in the morning 
of the members of the various committees, exhibitors, 
and those connected with and interested in the society. 
Amongst the exhibitors of Orchids were Baron Schro¬ 
der (gardener, Mr. Ballantine), The Dell, Egham. He 
showed Dendrobium splendidissimum grandiflorum. 
and Phalsenopsis John Seden, the latter being certifi¬ 
cated. Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. (gardener, 
Mr. Bickerstaff), Burford Lodge, Dorking, exhibited 
Angraeeum eburneum, A. Leoni, A. Ellisii, Dendrobium 
crassinode superbum, Cypripedium Swanianum super¬ 
bum, Masdevallia Harryana aeanthifolia (votes of thanks 
were awarded for the two latter), Anthurium carneum, 
A. Rothschildianum and others, some of which 
were certificated and are described in another column. 
A bronze Banksian medal was awarded to A H. Smee, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. G. W. Cummins), for a group of 
Orchids, containing a distinct-looking Zygopetalum 
rostratum, Cattleya Triame, grown last summer in the 
open air, Masdevallia Shuttleworthii, Lselia superbiens, 
Oncidium sarcodes and others. A Cultural Commen¬ 
dation was awarded to H. M. Pollett, Esq., Femside, 
Bickley, for a large and well-grown plant of Ccelogyne 
cristata alba, in a basket. A similar award was made 
to W. C. Pickersgill, Esq., Blendon Hall, Bexley, 
for a well-grown specimen of Lycaste Skinneri, with 
about thirty flowers. Messrs. F. Sander & Co., St. 
Albans, received a vote of thanks for Masdevallia San- 
deriana, with brownish purple flowers and yellow tails. 
Gustav de Doux, Esq, East Moulsey, Surrey, sent 
Dendrobium speciosum - and Cattleya Loddigesii, de 
Doux’s variety, for which he received a vote of thanks. 
A similar award was made to N. C. Cookson, Esq., 
Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne, for Cypripedium planerum. 
A vote of thanks was also awarded to Mr. Quarterman, 
gardener to A. H. Smith, Esq., Silvermere, Cobham, 
Surrey. 
A Silver-gilt Banksian Medal was awarded to Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, for an exceedingly fine group 
of Hyacinths, together with Rhododendron Early Gem,- 
Boronia heterophylla, and Lachenalia tricolor, in 
baskets. Votes of thanks were given for Trillium 
discolor atratum and Rosa microphylla fol. var., and a 
Cultural Commendation was given for Lilium roseum. 
A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. B. S. 
Williams, Upper Holloway, for a group of stove and 
greenhouse plants, consisting of Palms, Clivias, 
Amaryllis, Ferns, Cypripedium Boxalli, Phaius 
maculatus, Angraeeum eburneum, Dendrochilum 
glumaceum, Sarracenia purpurea major, and others. A 
similar award was also made to Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill, for a large group of Crotons, Palms, 
Dracaenas, Azaleas, Heaths, Dendrobium crassinode, D. 
Brymerianum, Cattleya Triame, C. Lawrenceanum, 
Odontoglossum Rossii majus, Ac. Mr. T. S. Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, was similarly 
rewarded for a large group of Daftodils, Spiraea, Dielytra 
spectabilis, Erythrouiums, Orchis papilionacea,. 0. 
pauciflora, Primulas, Saxifrages, Muscari botryoides 
album, and many other hardy subjects. A similar 
award was made to Mr. Charles Turner, Slough, for a 
group of well-grown Cyclamens, tastefully arranged as 
to colour, and backed up by Palms and Ferns. A vote 
of thanks was also given him for a box of new tree 
Carnation blooms. 
A large group of Roses was exhibited by Messrs. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, consisting of Lady Alice (H.P.), 
Innocenti Pirola, Celine Forestier, Dr. Andry, Souvenir 
