April 28, 1888. 
THE GAKDENING WOKLD. 
555 
During hard weather I have seen them perched on the 
top of Brussels Sprouts, attacking the leaves. Truly, 
the gardener who would be a strict member of the 
Selborne Society should possess great patience, and also 
serve a very considerate employer !— Geo. Potts, Jun. 
Potato s. 
I am obliged to Mr. Child for the information kindly 
given regarding Beauty of Hebron and Vicar of Laleham 
Potatos. They must be well known to some growers, 
as I learn from an extensive vendor of Potatos that the 
demand in the north has been very great for these 
kinds—the first-named especially—but they are now 
scarce. However, I expect to get a consignment of 
them very shortly, and will endeavour to do them 
justice, planted on new ground. I have also to thank 
your correspondent “Salopian” for endorsing the 
statements of Mr. Child.— Caledonian. 
The Siberian Squill. 
Some beds of this delightful early bulbous plant, with 
its charming blue flowers, have been a great feature 
in Hyde Park. What striking masses of blue they 
afforded ; and how clear and distinctly blue the flowers 
are when a gleam of sunshine falls upon them ! It is 
a subject that ap'pears to adapt itself so well to any 
decorative arrangements that there is a fitness and 
simple beauty in it whatever may be the combination 
in which it plays a part; and it is one of those things 
that will do well if planted and left alone. I have it 
in a permanent bed of Crocuses, and it always blooms 
with great freedom in spring. Being on the north side 
of the house, where but little sunlight falls, it main¬ 
tains its rich hue of blue much longer than growing 
cn a more sunny spot.— B. D. 
Saxifraga retusa bryoides. 
For the alpine garden a neater-habited subject could 
hardly be obtained, as the trailing stems creep close to 
the ground, forming bj r their density a beautiful deep 
green carpet. It somewhat resembles S. oppositifolia, 
but the leaves are not only opposite, but densely 
arranged in four rows, while those of S. oppositifolia 
are carried farther apart by the more elongated inter¬ 
nodes of the stem. From this evergreen carpet the 
flower-stems arise to the height of i in. or 1 in., 
carrying four purple flowers, all on the same level, so 
that when the plant is fairly well flowered, it has not 
only an interesting, but very effective and pretty 
appearance. Some pots of it are grown in a cold north- 
aspect frame in the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, Chiswick, where it has been flowering freely 
for some time. It is perfectly hardy, however, and a 
native of the Alps. When grown in the rock garden 
it requires attention to prevent the coarser and 
stronger kinds from overcrowding it, and a considerable 
amount of moisture is necessary while making its 
growth in summer. 
Primula rosea. 
It does not seem to us that the most has been made of 
this, one of the prettiest and most distinct of all the 
Himalayan Primroses, and at the same time one of the 
hardiest. A little has been done in the way of selecting 
the best-coloured individuals that appear in a batch of 
seedlings, but surely something could be done by 
hybridisation, so that considerable variety could be 
infused into the flowers, giving us different and distinct 
colours. The deep rosy carmine is the best colour we 
have ; and, similarly to that of Lychnis chalcedonica, 
anything paler than rosy carmine or than scarlet, as in 
the latter case, is to he looked upon as deterioration. 
For those, however, who keep collections and like 
variety, the paler forms are acceptable. The Primulas, 
however, which have been longest in cultivation are 
those which have furnished the greatest amount of 
variation, and with the exception of P. Sieboldi, and 
in a smaller degree P. japonica, none of the more 
recently cultivated Primulas have given us much 
decided variation. These facts were recalled to mind 
on seeing a collection of Himalayan and other Primulas 
in a cold pit at Chiswick, in the gardens of the Boyal 
Horticultural Society. 
Azalea A. Borsigr. 
Among the numerously cultivated Indian Azaleas we 
do not know any white one that is more service¬ 
able than A. Borsig. It makes a capital succession 
to Deutsche Perle, and others of that class. We have 
a fine specimen, 6 ft. in height, and it is at present a 
mass of bloom. It suits well for cutting purposes, and 
though it is annually severely reduced, it recovers 
itself and sets its flowers very freely. Azaleas remain 
healthy and make fair growth by cutting notches down 
the balls of soil and filling up the space with good peat— 
clearing the surface of inert soil, and firmly placing in 
its stead a good top-dressing of peat with a fourth part 
of turfy loam mixed in it, will keep the plants healthy— 
but, of course, such manipulation at the roots is only 
practised when the plants cannot be shifted to larger 
pots or tubs. In northern parts it is advantageous to 
have Azaleas under protection all the year through ; 
the setting and maturing of the flower-buds is more 
certain than when the plants are turned out to take 
their chance.— Caledonian. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
Orchid Growers’ Calendar. 
It is now a good time to re-pot those varieties of 
Lycaste Skinneri which require it, and many others of 
the same genus which have finished flowering and are 
pushing up growth ; also all the Anguloas, many of 
the Zygopetalums, and plants of a like nature. Fibrous 
peat, with the addition of a little loam fibre and 
sphagnum moss, is the best material for them, and they 
all rejoice in a layer of 5 -in. or 1 -in. bones, according 
to the size of the pots, on top of the crocks. When 
growing and rooting freety, they should be unstintingly 
watered and carefully shaded. Any Cypripediums 
which require it should also now be re-potted, using 
the same material as above described, or such an 
approach to it as the grower’s judgment may suggest. 
Lrelia anceps, L. albida, L. autumnalis, and others 
of that class which have not been done before should 
now be shifted if requisite. All peat fibre is safe for 
these plants, but sphagnum may be added if the pots 
be well-drained (as they should be) or baskets used. 
The highest amount of light possible without the direct 
rays of the sun should be given to these plants. 
Phaleenopsis will henceforth require very careful 
shading. Any of them which are in bad stuff, and 
whose climbing roots forbid removal, should have the 
old sphagnum taken away and fresh supplied. Active 
Dendrobes should have an abundance of water, and be 
placed in a good growing house. 
In every structure a thorough clear out should be 
made, removing accumulations of rubbish under stages, 
pipes, &c. Nothing is more conducive to keeping up 
a good supply of insect pests than cutting off damaged 
portions of the plants and leaves and throwing them 
under the stage—a practice some are much addicted to. 
All waste and rubbish should immediately be taken 
out of the houses and burned, or be placed at a safe 
distance. 
At no season of the year is the vigilance of the grower 
more taxed than at present in keeping the shading 
down only at the times the sun is out, and off during 
the fitful and dull intervening periods; and also to 
have the heating apparatus in command when required, 
but in check when the sun gives a better heat than the 
pipes .—James O'Brien. 
Lycaste Skinneri at The Barons, Twickenham. 
Many excellent examples of cultivation of this grand 
old Orchid are to be found flowered to perfection in the 
collection of Henry Little, Esq., at the above place. 
Many fine varieties have appeared during the last few 
years, but I have never met with a finer lot than those 
I saw here on April 21st. Good distinct varieties, 
varying in colour from the most delicate pale rose to 
the very deep colour found in this species, with flowers 
of enormous size and great substance ; hundreds of 
plants, some with as many as sixteen flowers from a 
single pseudo-bulb, and others with from two to three 
dozen flowers—all really grand objects. They last in 
bloom a very long time, from the opening of the first 
flowers to the decay of the last—nearly six months. 
Some had two flowers upon one stem, which are 
undoubtedly produced through the strength of the 
plants ; for the bulbs are enormous in size, and the 
foliage unusually healthy. 
Mr. Hill, the gardener-in-chief here, is to be con¬ 
gratulated upon producing sucly grand results. A few 
were named, and well worthy of it, being perfectly 
distinct, and for colouring, shape and substance, all 
that can be desired. Model, a magnificently shaped 
flower, a rosy blush ; L. delicatissima, a fine flower, 
delicate rose ; L. marmorata, L. grandis, L. gloriosum, 
and L. rosea are well worthy of mention. The latter 
had twenty-seven fine expanded flowers, being very con¬ 
spicuous. For indoor decoration they stand well, their 
bold flowers being adapted for that purpose, provided 
they be kept out of the draughts. 
In addition to these, there are many fine specimen 
Loelias and Cattleyas of various sizes and in many 
choice varieties, some of which have been certificated. 
The innumerable sheaths showing, and the fine, clean, 
tall, healthy foliage, show that the treatment they 
receive is just what they delight in. Cool Orchids also 
look well, and a grand treat is in store in the future, 
for many fine spikes are showing. 
I must not omit the Cyclamen ; some hundreds of 
plants of an extraordinary fine strain, magnificently 
flowered, occupy a prominent position in one of the 
greenhouses, being beautiful examples of cultivation, 
and making a glorious show in themselves. I came away 
with the impression that Cyclamens such as these are 
hard to beat, and that they rank foremost as floral 
decorative plants at this season of the year.— Busticus. 
Vanilla planifolia. 
The species of Vanilla are grown more for the sake of 
the pods, which are used for flavouring in this country, 
and out of novelty or curiosity, rather than for the 
beauty of the flowers, as most Orchids are. V. planifolia 
used to be grown and fruited pretty regularly by the 
late Mr. Woodbridge, at Syon House, Brentford ; but 
it is also fruited by Messrs. J. Carter & Co., at Forest 
Hill, with whom it is now in that condition, the pods or 
seed vessels, wdiich supply the fragrant or aromatic 
material, measuring from 5 ins. or 7 ins. in length. 
At present they are green, cylindrical, and curved, 
somewhat like the handle of a pruning knife, but when 
mature they change to yellow, and are then ready to 
gather. After undergoing the necessary process in 
curing for their preservation, the pods become of a dark 
brown, and contain myriads of small black seeds that 
smell deliciously, resembling Balsam of Peru. 
Odontoglossum Pescatorei. 
The spotted forms of this species are generally highly 
esteemed, owing to the blotches being of a violet-purple, 
and finely set off by a white ground. A beautiful 
spray, bearing fourteen blooms, was sent us by Mr. 
James Routledge, The Gardens, Freeland, Forgandenny, 
Perthshire. The flower-bearing part of the raceme was 
only 9 ins. long; consequently, the blooms, which 
were of good average size and substance, were closely 
crowded. The sepals were somewhat suffused with 
rose, and they, together with the petals, were furnished 
with a variable number of violet-purple blotches about 
the middle. The lip was paler and somewhat whiter 
than usual, with the yellow crest extending along the 
middle, though faintly. On the whole, the flowers 
have much grace and elegance to recommend them. 
Odontoglossum crispum, Mrs. De B. Crawshay. 
Flowers of this variety come to us from De B. 
Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, Sevenoaks, Kent, and ex¬ 
hibit great regularity in outline from the breadth of 
the segments, especially that of the petals, which are 
pure white, broadly ovate, or even triangular. The 
sepals, on the contrary, are suffused with warm rose 
along the outer surface, and the colouring shines 
through with a fainter glow on the upper surface. The 
lip is comparatively short and neat in outline, narrowing 
from a broad base to a much undulated and crisped 
point, and is white with a bright yellow disk and a few 
brown spots. 
Odontoglossum Andersonianum. 
Another of the numerous forms of this Orchid 
now under cultivation has also been sent us from 
the collection of Mr. De B. Crawshay. Although 
fine, we cannot admire it as we did the magnificent 
variety sent us on a previous occasion. The sepals 
are furnished with a few large deep chocolate- 
brown blotches, but being suffused with rose on the 
outer face, the ground-colour is not so clear a yellow as 
that of the petals. The latter, as well as the lip, have 
a few small reddish brorvn blotches about or above the 
middle. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Poinsettias and Euphorbias. —By this time the 
old plants that have been kept in some out of the way 
corner or under the stages will be making preparations 
to start into fresh growth. For the sake of obtaining 
strong plants that will produce a head of bracts from 
12 ins. to 16 ins. or more in diameter, the old specimens 
must be headed down and put into a moderately warm 
place to encourage the development of strong young 
shoots. As soon as the buds have fairly started it is 
imperative that the plants should be kept near the 
light to prevent drawing. To commence with strong 
and vigorous cuttings means a great deal, and one, 
therefore, begins the culture of this popular subject by 
laying a good foundation. ’When they are of sufficient 
length take the cuttings off with a slight heel. Plants 
can also be raised from eyes. A few old plants may be 
kept and introduced to heat a little later on, from which 
a later batch of cuttings may be obtained. 
Euphorbia fulgens, when it has finished flowering 
and the flowers have been cut, may be headed back, 
introduced to heat, and treated much in the same way 
as Poinsettias. Of course by starting them into fresh 
growth now in order to get cuttings, the stems attain 
a much greater length than if the operation were effected 
later on. 
Winter Decoratiye Plants. —Amidst all the 
hurry and rush of spring work, the careful cultivator 
must not forget to work up a stock of plants for next 
winter’s use. Pot up batches of Libonias, Sericographis 
Ghiesbreghti, Peristrophe speciosa, Jacobinia magnifica, 
Thyrsacanthus rutilans and other species, Reinwardtia 
(Linum) trigynum, and R. tetragyna, which is the 
