April 7, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
509 
Gongora truncata. 
The species of Gongora are as a rule too dull coloured 
and inconspicuous to become popular, but that under 
notice is rather attractive, the flowers being of good 
average size and numerously produced in long pendent 
racemes. The sepals are straw-coloured or almost 
white, spotted with purple, and appear much smaller 
than they really are owing to their becoming strongly 
revolute at the margins. The petals are small and 
inconspicuous in this species. As might he expected, 
there is an evident affinity between the various parts 
of the lip and that of Stanhopea ; the hypochile is of 
a bright shining yellow, and laterally compressed so as 
to form a sac or pouch with two openings, and 
furnished with two curious bristles, the object or 
economy of which it would he difficult to determine ; 
the epichile or front portion is almost white and con¬ 
cave so as to form another pouch, and greatly resembles 
the front of a gondola. The flowers last a fortnight or 
more in perfection, and emit a delicious fragrance on 
first expanding. It is a native of Mexico, from whence 
Mr. Wright obtained it, and is now flowering at 
Devonhurst, Chiswick. 
White-Crested Odontoglossum Rossii majus. 
We mention this not because a white-crested variety is 
rare, but on account of the association of colours 
exhibited in the flowers as a whole. As a rule, the 
normal yellow colour is the last to disappear from the 
crest in pale-coloured flowers ; but in this case it is 
the first. The sepals are richly spotted with brown on 
a white ground, while the petals and labellum are 
suffused with blush, and traversed by rosy veins. In 
the presence of so much extra colour, the white crest 
is very striking, its purity being marred only by a few 
faint brown lines inside the cup. The whole flower is 
of large size, but especially the labellum, which is 
undulated and crisped in a beautiful manner. It was 
sent to us by Mr. J. T. Poe, Riverston, Nenagh, 
who informs us that amongst a good number of im¬ 
ported plants he has only flowered two of the white- 
crested variety. 
SOPHRONITIS GRAND1FLORA. 
A 'WELL-grown specimen of this handsome old-fashioned 
plant also comes to us from Mr. J. T. Poe, Riverston, 
Nenagh. Beautiful as some of the other species are, 
they never equal this one for size and brilliancy of 
colour. The flower sent us measured 2f ins. across 
the petals, while the latter individually were 1J in. 
long by If in. broad, which we consider wonderful 
proportions for such a small plant as this to produce, 
and testifying to good cultural treatment. The labellum 
was conspicuously striped with scarlet internally on a 
rich yellow ground ; but the petals under any con¬ 
ditions constitute the most conspicuous part of the 
flower. Mr. Poe states that he finds it do better in a 
pot with peat and sphagnum than on a raft. 
Lycaste HARRISONI/E. 
There is a considerable number of plants of this old 
and very much neglected Orchid flowering in great 
perfection in Mr. B. S. Williams’ nursery at Upper 
Holloway. The flowers have a massive appearance, 
and if not brilliant and attractive in colour are still 
sufficiently conspicuous and showy to merit a place in 
a collection of no great extent. They last a long time 
in perfection, even in the atmosphere of a dwelling 
room, a matter of no small importance. The sepals 
usually hear hut one flower, but when grown vigorously 
two are frequently produced, as in Lycaste Skinneri, 
when liberally treated. Individually the flowers are of 
a good size, with white sepals and petals, while the lip 
is purple with a large yellow crest or tongue, and the 
whole of it is covered with whitish or grey hairs, which 
give it a peculiar shaggy appearance. When in per¬ 
fection they emit a strong but agreeable odour, and the 
plant may be added to the long list of Orchids whose 
fragrance as well as the colours of the flowers recom¬ 
mend them. Some fine pieces are grown in huge 
baskets by Mr. B. S. Williams. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Shading.— Preparations should now be made for a 
sudden burst of sunshine, which may occur at any 
time, as the season is now well advanced. This will be 
all the more necessary, considering the amount of 
sunless weather that has prevailed during the whole 
winter and spring, causing any new growth that has 
been made to be soft and unable to bear intense 
illumination. This applies not only to stove plants, 
but also to greenhouse subjects, such as Chinese 
Primulas, Cinerarias, and spring bulbs that have been 
forced, such as Hyacinths, Narcissi, and Tulips, 
especially the latter, which would soon drop their 
flowers if unduly hastened to maturity. Shading, 
however, can easily be overdone, and frequently is so, 
not only by the use of too heavy shading material, 
but also by putting it on too early, and allowing it to 
remain on too late in the afternoon, when the feeble 
rays of sunshine would have a beneficial effect rather 
than otherwise. Light or thin shading used in the 
middle and hotter part of the day is all that is required. 
Propagating Pit. —Outdoor work must not be 
overlooked, but a heavy share of the work that should 
be done now will devolve on this department. Tuberous 
Begonias, Gloxinias, and similar things that are ready 
for potting off should he seen to at once, as it is neces¬ 
sary to utilise the whole length of the growing season. 
After potting, stand them on a shelf near the glass in 
the propagating pit, or some similarly warm place, in 
order to encourage fresh growth, thus enabling the 
roots to lay hold of the new soil. Gloxinias will 
require to be grown in a warm and moist atmosphere 
until near the flowering stage, as the large fleshy leaves 
it is desirable they should make depends on liberal 
treatment. The Begonias, however, should be removed 
to cooler quarters after they have fairly started into 
fresh growth, to prevent them becoming drawn. 
Bedding Plants. —Autumn-struck material, if not 
already potted off or planted out, should be attended 
to without further delay. Should there be a scarcity 
of pots for such things as Pelargoniums, their roots, 
together with a quantity of soil, should be surrounded 
with a handful of moss, and tied up in a ball with 
matting. They may then be planted out in a frame, 
and will lift at beiding-out time with the roots pro¬ 
truding through the moss, and will suffer little or no 
check when finally planted out. This system effects a 
considerable saving of labour in the end, and also a 
saving in pots. 
Pelargoniums. —Old specimens of zonal varieties 
for summer flowering should now be trimmed and 
potted up. They flower much more profusely than 
younger plants. Show and fancy varieties are now 
growing away freely, and require constant attention in 
looping down and tying out the shoots. Let the 
staking and tying material be as inconspicuous as 
possible. Weak liquid manure given occasionally will 
be found of great service as the pots become filled with 
roots. _ 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —When the light is good allow the tempera¬ 
ture of the Muscat houses to run up to 80° ; by night, 
however, 65° will be sufficiently high for the present. 
Attend to the tying down of the shoots, and stopping 
at two or three leaves beyond the bunch, the aim being 
to leave as much foliage as possible, which gives vigour 
to the Vines, and is a necessity for large bunches of 
fruit. 
Melons. —Attend regularly to stopping and tying 
in of the shoots as growth proceeds. There is no 
economy in allowing the plants to become crowded, 
making it necessary to remove large quantities of 
useless growth, and thereby wasting the energies of 
the plants. When they come into flower, maintain a 
moderately high temperature, and a dry atmosphere to 
favour the setting of the fruit. In the case of early 
houses where the fruit is now rapidly swelling, close 
the house in the afternoon at 85° or even 90° with a 
moist atmosphere. Copious waterings at the roots will 
he necessary, especially when the plants are grown in 
a bed over hot-water pipes, or in pots. The more the 
root room is restricted the greater will be the necessity 
for assisting the plants with liquid manure. 
Cucumbers. —When these are grown in a house 
heated with hot-water piping, the same cultural details 
apply as in the case of Melons. If large fruits are 
desired they must he properly thinned out while yet 
in a small state. 
KITCHEN AND FLOWER GARDEN. 
Walks and Edgings. —Now that most of the heavy 
work, such as the wheeling of manure has been com¬ 
pleted, the walks should be put in order for the 
season. Roll and trim all grass edgings, after which, 
if necessary, the walks should get a fresh coat of gravel 
and then he rolled. Box edgings that require re-laying 
should be completed as early as possible, so that every¬ 
thing may be neat and orderly from the commencement 
of the season. 
HORTICULT URAL S OCIETIES. 
Liverpool Horticultural Association.— 
Ma/i'di 28th. 
The sixth spring show of this association was held in 
St. George’s Hall under the most unfavourable con¬ 
ditions, as regards the weather, that it has ever had to 
contend against, and which proved most detrimental 
to the financial success of the exhibition. Notwith¬ 
standing the adverse circumstances, the show ranked 
amongst the best that has been seen in this noble 
building, which, fortunately for the tender and choice 
plants, can he kept up to the usual stove temperature 
if desired. 
The spring-flowering bulbs were hardly up to the 
usual Liverpool form, Hyacinths and Narcissus being 
not so fine as is generally the case ; but Tulips were 
fresh, with fine massive flowers, and the Crocuses were, 
perhaps, the best ever staged in the hall. Cyclamens 
were grand, and the competition was extensive and 
keen. Lily of the Valley was also another noticeable 
class, ten exhibitors making together a grand hank, 
and every exhibit was of high merit. 
For ten pots of hardy herbaceous and bulbous plants 
Mrs. Watts had the premier award, followed by A. L. 
Jones, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Bounds), and J. Lewis, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. Bustard). For eighteen Hya¬ 
cinths, distinct varieties, Mrs. J. Aiken (gardener, Mr. 
C. Waring) was first, the finest being King of the Blues, 
Macaulay, Grandeur a Merveille, and Von Schiller, &c. 
R. Singlehurst, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Kelly) was 
second, and R. Cornelius, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Ste¬ 
phenson) third. For twelve, the first prize was secured 
by W. H. Watts, Esq. (gardener, Mr. A. R. Cox), the 
second and third going to J. S. Rogerson, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. C. Copple), and J. Bounds, Esq. For six, the 
awards were made to Mr. C. Copple, 0. H. Williams, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. Wilson), and Mr. C. Waring, 
in the order named. For six pots, three bulbs in each 
pot, the first prize was won by J. Stephenson, Esq., 
with bulbs carrying fine massive spikes. For twelve 
distinct varieties grown in water, Mr. C. Waring was 
successful with flowers of great merit. 
Tulips. —The class for twelve pots, single, six 
varieties, three bulbs in each pot, brought out a good 
competition. S. Smith, Esq., M.P. (gardener, Mr. A. 
Collins) was first with fine fresh flowers, his best being 
Vermilion Brilliant, Fabiola, Keizers-kroon, &c. For 
six singles, in three varieties, the first prize was 
awarded to Mr. A. R. Cox ; and for ten doubles, in 
five varieties, Mr. J. Stephenson came in first. For 
six pots, three varieties, Mr. P. Barber was first, and 
also for six pots of Crocuses, three varieties. For six 
6-in. pots of Lily of the Valley, Mr. J. Jellicoe took 
the lead among ten competitors with fine spikes and 
good foliage, Mrs. Watts being second, and G. W. Sanbach, 
Esq., third. For six Cyclamen, E. H. Harrison, Esq. 
was first with splendid plants, followed by J. C. Gale, 
Esq., and Mr. W. Wilson, with very meritorious 
examples. For six pots of Lachenalias, R. Brocklebank, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. T. Winkworth) was first with the 
highly-coloured variety, Nelsoni, and Mr. W. Bustard 
second. 
Plants. —For a table of miscellaneous plants arranged 
for effect, and to occupy a space of 60 sq. ft., Mr. 
A. R. Cox was first with a very pleasant, light arrange¬ 
ment, consisting of a ground-work of delicate-coloured 
Adiantum cuneatum with Palms and Crotons rising 
above some 2 ft. high, and brightened up wdth various 
kinds of bulbs. Mr. J. Jellicoe was second with a 
table of superior merit, being massive, and containing 
more flowers of a higher quality; these two types were 
quite distinct, yet each had its own admirers ; Mr. J. 
Kelly was third. In the class for six Azaleas, distinct 
varieties, Mr. J. Jellicoe staged the best, being fair¬ 
sized plants, remarkably well flowered, Fielder’s White, 
Charles van Eckhaute and Roseum especially so. For 
six stove and greenhouse plants, three flow T ering and 
three fine-foliaged, Mr. J. Jellicoe was well to the fore, 
having a grand Pritchardia paeifica, 10 ft. through, 
Latania borbonica of a similar size, Croton Queen 
Victoria, Rhododendron fragrantissimum (a grand 
flowered plant), Chorozema Lawreneiana, and a large 
white Azalea. Mr. A. Crosbie was second, and Mr. A. R. 
Cox third, with one stove plant in flow'er. Mr. J. 
Harrison was first with Peristeria elata, carrying sixteen 
spikes. J. Gowan, Esq., had the best four exotic Ferns, 
including a magnificent plant of Goniophlebium 
subauriculatum, with a dense mass of fronds some 8 ft. 
in length. For four Roses in pots, distinct, Mr. A. 
Crosbie, F. L. Bahr, Esq., and Mr. W. Bustard were 
the prizetakers. 
