540 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 21, 1888. 
which exceed those of the ordinary forms by a long 
distance, even when they are well grown. In colour 
the flowers are similar to C. v. rubro-oculata, being 
white and hairy on the back of the segments, with a 
large crimson-red throat and yellow spurs. 
Odontoglossum Imperator, 
Amongst a great number of the supposed natural 
hybrids of 0. crispum and 0. luteo-purpureum —of 
which there is a fine display in one of Mr. William 
Bull’s houses, at Chelsea—some have got distinguishing 
garden names, which should prove an advantage over 
the prevailing system of giving a long list of Latin 
names. The sepals, petals, and lip are boldly blotched 
all over with brown on a yellow ground, while the lip 
and petals (the latter but shallowly) are fringed in the 
usual manner as in the supposed parent species men¬ 
tioned. Another form, named Victori®, is also richly 
blotched with chocolate-brown on the sepals and petals, 
the lip being less heavily marked. 
Lycaste Skinneri alba. 
We have seldom an opportunity of seeing so well- 
flowered a specimen of this valuable and very desirable 
variety as that flowering in Mr. William Bull’s nursery 
at Chelsea. From ten to sixteen flowers are frequently 
seen on the normal form, but cultivators generally 
regard the white form with pride if it bears three or 
four flowers. Mr. Bull’s specimen has eleven flowers 
all springing from a single pseudo-bulb, and the flowers 
are the whitest we have seen, even including the 
tongue, which is frequently yellow. The crest or 
tongue of the younger flowers is sometimes of a pale 
lemon-yellow, but as it gets older this disappears. 
Odontoglossum obtusum. 
For the opportunity of seeing this rare Orchid we are 
indebted to Mr. J. E. Bonny, Hextable, Kent. The 
flowers individually are by no means large, but their 
colour is very unusual in this genus. The sepals and 
petals are oblong, narrowed to the base, and of a deep 
scarlet colour heavily stained with crimson, especially 
on the outer face. The lip is bright scarlet, erect at 
the base, parallel with the face of the column and 
forming a tube, and spreading above the middle where 
it is crested. The pedicel and ovary are of a deep 
purple, almost black. On the whole this constitutes a 
much darker variety than the ordinary one, which is 
more decidedly of an orange shade. 
Three Distinct Varieties of Ccelogyne 
cristata. 
Notwithstanding the great difficulty in defining the 
many so-called “So-and-so’s variety ” of this species now 
in cultivation, we noticed three forms the other day in 
Mr. William Bull’s nursery, at Chelsea. These were 
C. c. alba, the pure white variety ; C. c. Lemoniana, 
with lemon-coloured fringes along the middle of the 
labellum ; and C. c. aurantiaca, with orange fringes 
and some orange blotches at the very base of the 
column. It required no looking a second time to dis¬ 
tinguish between all three, which are independent of 
the ordinary form of the species, with bright yellow 
fringes. 
Dendrobium crassinode album. 
Under any of the forms or colour varieties of this 
species seen in cultivation, we have a plant of no 
ordinary merit for decorative purposes in several ways. 
The white variety is a great acquisition, although, in 
the strict sense of the word, it is not entirely white. 
The purple, however, with which all the segments of 
the flower are tipped in the typical form has entirely 
disappeared, and the flower is pure white, with the 
exception of a large pale yellow blotch at the base of 
the labellum. It appears to be equally as easy to 
cultivate as the type, and was flowering freely the 
other day in the nursery of Messrs. J. Yeitch & Sons, 
at Chelsea. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Bottvardias. —Those whose cuttings were put in late 
should see that the young plants are potted off as soon 
as rooted. Some advocate that they should be grown 
singly, but others, with equally as great success, put 
two or three plants together, and so make a bush ; and 
they urge that less stopping is required by this method, 
seeing that a sufficient number of shoots are thereby 
obtained to tie out so as to encourage the growth of 
strong stems from the centre. Keep them, while in 
heat, well watered and freely syringed overhead to 
prevent the ravages of red-spider, which would soon 
cause them to lose their leaves. 
Camellias.— As soon as they go out of flower old 
and straggling plants in pots may be renovated in the 
following way. Cut them hard back, and place them 
in a propagating pit or similar warm house where a 
moist atmosphere is maintained. This will soon induce 
them to break. Comparatively little water should be 
given for some time after this defoliating operation, as 
the plants will then be unable to take it up, much less 
to utilise it, which then becomes harmful. If necessary 
to re-pot, use a compost of good substantial fibrous 
loam, with or without peat, according to the cultivator’s 
experience. Remove as much of the old soil as possible 
without damaging the roots more than can be helped, 
and re-pot in the smallest size into which the roots, 
with some fresh soil, can be got. This may be done as 
soon as the buds have fairly commenced to push, and 
after the operation the plants should be returned to 
heat, and kept moist in order to encourage a free and 
vigorous growth. 
Bedding Plants. —With the long-continued pre¬ 
valence of cold weather, many cultivators become 
unavoidably crowded with all kinds of plants requiring 
protection of some kind or other. Some may be induced 
to place the hardier subjects in the open air, such as 
Calceolarias and Golden Feather. This may be done 
without endangering the safety of the plants ; but in 
the case of the latter at least, very little growth can be 
expected during the prevalence of cold east winds. 
Besides, it is a hard matter for such things to establish 
themselves, much less to make growth ; therefore, 
temporary structures of some kind should be made even 
for such as Golden Feather, Scabiosa cyanus, Heli- 
chrysum bracteatum, Phlox Drummondi, Saponaria 
calabrica, and the various forms of Dianthus chinensis, 
that are intended for bedding purposes. In order to 
encourage growth, a sash or hand-light should be placed 
over them, so as to maintain a higher temperature than 
that of the surrounding atmosphere, and also to 
preserve the moisture so necessary for growth. 
Seedlings. —It is bad policy to allow these to 
become crowded in the seedling pots before being 
pricked off, as they become drawn and weakly. Should 
they ever get the better of this treatment, in all cases 
they constitute a sad memento of so much wasted time 
and energy on the part of the plants, as well as a 
decided loss to the cultivator. Annuals of various 
kinds are yearly ruined in thousands by simplj' allowing 
them to starve and crowd one another in the early 
stages of their existence. Therefore, it should be made 
a golden rule to pot or prick off as many of each kind 
as are required as soon as ready. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —Owing to the general absence of sun that 
has prevailed during nearly the whole of the time that 
early Vines have been forced, it will be a severe strain 
for them to mature a crop of Grapes properly, especially 
if in any way a heavy one. Keeping this in view it 
will be well for cultivators to remember, if the Vines 
are required for forcing another year (and this generally 
applies to those that are planted out), not to force them 
too hard by artificial heat. In order to induce the 
Grapes to colour well, give abundant ventilation, but in 
such a way that the air will have to pass over the hot- 
water pipes and so become heated before coming in 
contact with the plants. Lower night temperatures 
will also assist greatly. As soon as the bunches require 
thinning in the mid-season houses, see to it at once. 
The operation is a tedious one at best; but matters 
only become more complicated when the berries are 
allowed to swell till thinning becomes imperative. 
The Lady Downes house may now be closed, and 
treated as if forced. The buds are now naturally well 
advanced, so that less fire heat is necessary to urge 
them into growth. Utilise the sun heat available to 
the utmost by closing early even on bright days. Syringe 
the rods in the morning, and again in the afternoon 
after closing. 
Peach-houses. —Hard forcing even in the case of 
the earliest houses should be avoided as much as 
possible during the prevalence of sunless weather, as 
no amount of firing will make up for sun heat, in the 
absence of an abundance of light, which is necessary for 
maintaining the healthy vigour of the trees themselves 
independently of that necessary to induce colouration in 
the fruit. Keep a strict watch on all gross shoots that 
may make their appearance, so as to check them and 
prevent them robbing the weaker parts of the trees, 
and so disturbing the equilibrium of an equally 
balanced growth. Give copious supplies of manure- 
water, or other stimulating liquid to assist in the proper 
development of the fruit. If the borders are well 
drained, a liberal supply is imperative during the growth 
of the trees, and the swelling of the fruit especially, if 
good results are expected. Attend to the disbudding 
in late houses, and effect it as speedily as possible, so 
that the resources and natural vigour of the trees may 
not be wasted. _ 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Peaches on Walls. —The flower buds of these have 
been struggling to expand for some time, and those 
who have not yet furnished them with some artificial 
protection should do so at once, using tiffany, or some 
similar thin material. A better plan is, perhaps, the 
practice pursued by some of fastening Spruce, Cherry, 
Laurel or branches of other evergreens above the flower¬ 
bearing shoots, so as to ward off frost. Some growers 
have a strong belief in the use of evergreens, as 
their removal is unnecessary till all danger of frost is 
. over. 
Celery Trenches. — Before the soil becomes too 
dry, prepare what is intended for Celery. The trenches 
can the more readily be taken out now, and the soil 
can be neatly made up into ridges without crumbling, 
and be far more artistic all the summer, till earthing- 
up is commenced ; besides, the summit of the ridges 
can be utilised for early crops. 
-->=£<-*- 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES. 
The Birmingham Spring Flower Show. 
The eighth annual exhibition was held in the Town 
Hall, Birmingham, on April 11th and 12th, and there 
was a “ crowded house ” of exhibits, overflowing to the 
galleries. Mr. Brascin, gardener to Sir Thomas 
Martineau, took first honours with a fine six stove and 
greenhouse plants. Mr. Caldecott, gardener to V m. 
Matthews, Esq., was first with three Ferns, very fine 
specimens, one a Todea superba, the others two excellent 
Gleiehenias. Deutzias, Spiraeas and many other things 
were well represented, and we must specially notice 
three grand Genistas in the orchestra, exhibited by Mr. 
J. B. Manly, Harborne ; two standards and a pyramid, 
all large specimens and a mass of flowers. Mr. Cooper, 
gardener to the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., 
was an extensive contributor to the exhibition, taking 
leading honours with six and three Orchids, Roses in 
pots, hardy Rhododendrons, Hyacinths, and other 
things. 
Orchids were numerous and a great attraction. For 
twelve, Mr. Barnes, gardener to Charles Winn, Esq., 
Silly Oak, was first, with a capital lot, and A. W. Wills, 
Esq., a good second. For six Orchids Mr. Cooper was 
first, and in this exhibit were fine specimens of 
Oncidium Marshallianum §md Dendrobium Wardianum; 
Charles Winn, Esq., was a good second. Groups of 
Orchids, not for competition, were staged by Charles 
Winn, Esq., Mr. Cooper, and others. Mr. W. Jinks, 
gardener to C. E. Wilson, Esq., had a wonderfully fine 
Dendrobium nobile, and a well-bloomed plant of 
Phalsenopsis Parishi. In Mr. Winn’s first-prize twelve 
was a good plant of the lovely variety of Coelogyne 
cristata, named Lemoiniana. 
There was a very good display of Hyacinths and 
Tulips in pots. Mr. W. H. Dyer, gardener to Mrs. 
Marigold ; Mr. F. Cooper, gardener to Charles Showell, 
Esq. ; Mr. Morgan, gardener to A. W. Wills, Esq. ; 
and Mr. E. Cooper, being the principal exhibitors. 
Mr. Robert Sydenham, Tenby Street, had a group of 
well-grown Hyacinths, not for competition, which had 
fine bold spikes, and some excellent Lilies of the Valley 
in pots were staged. 
Honorary exhibits were strong, and added very 
much to the beauty of the exhibition. Mr. T. B. 
Thomson, nurseryman, and Mr. W. Spinks, manager 
of Hans Niemand’s nursery, set up two artistic and 
lovely groups, the best yet seen at the Town Hall 
shows for artistic arrangement. Mr. Thomas Ware, 
Hale Farm Nurseries, and Messrs. Peter Barr & Son, 
Covent Garden, sent two extensive groups of cut 
Narcissi, admirably arranged and greatly admired. 
Never before has this popular flower been seen in the 
full force of its variety and beauty. Mr. J. Chambers, 
Westlake Nursery, Isleworth, sent a basket of a new 
double Violet, named Victoria, for which a certificate 
was awarded. Mr. Thomson, seedsman, contributed a 
grand memorial anchor of white flowers; Messrs. 
Perkins & Son, Coventry, a facsimile of a splendid 
wreath sent to Berlin by order for the late Emperor’s 
funeral; and Mr. Vertegans charming baskets and a 
bouquet of Narcissi. Sprays, bouquets, epergnes, and 
various other things made up an excellent exhibition 
