1% 5 , 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
ing sprays of Odontoglossums contribute in no small 
degree to the effect, and include such fine things as 
0. Harryanum, 0. Wilckeanum albens, a rare variety, 
with a white ground colour ; 0. Ruckerianum, 0. 
hieroglyphicum, the violet-purple flowered 0. Edouardi, 
a large and richly coloured form of 0. polyxanthum, 
and the charming 0. citrosmum rubrum. Amongst 
beautiful natural hybrid forms are 0. venustum and 0. 
conspicuum. The extensive and extremely varied 
genus Oncidium is as richly represented as the above, 
including such grand subjects as 0. Krameri, 0. Mar- 
shallianum, with a huge panicled inflorescence, 0. 
concolor, 0. crispum punctatum, and large-flowered, 
richly-coloured forms of 0. fuscatum. Climbing or 
twining forms of the micropilia section are represented 
by the curious 0. inseulptum and the beautiful parti¬ 
coloured 0. superbiens. 
Already the Cattleyas of the Mendelii type are 
notable for the size and rich shades of yellow of its 
flowers; while D. Brymerianum will always excite 
admiration for the beauty and singularity of its flowers, 
the lip of which is cut into long branching fringes. 
We cannot omit the beautiful D. albo-sanguineum nor 
D. tortile, with its huge shell-formed primrose lip. 
No purer or more chaste form exists of Lycaste Skinneri 
alba than that which we noticed some time ago, and 
which is still in flower, accompanied by L. S. aureola, 
with a peculiar orange labellum. What a contrast in 
general aspect is exhibited by the singular-looking 
flowers of L. gigantea ! nor is any species more de¬ 
liciously fragrant than L. Esmeralda. 
Cypripediums are represented by the charming C. 
Godefroyte, the yellow C. Druryi, the bold C. Dauthieri, 
the polished C. vernixium, C. stelligerum and C. 
caudatum roseum, the queen of the group, with petals 
2 ft. in length. Cymbidium Lowianum is now in flower, 
560 
NOTES ON CROPPING. 
It is not possible for gardeners to have the same 
number of crops or the changes of kinds of vege¬ 
tables in northern and cold districts as can be had 
in southern and other parts favoured by warmth and 
climatic influences. But it is in many cases noticeable 
that gardens are not always turned to the best account. 
The quick-cropping process is not adopted, as some 
believe that such would wear out the ground very 
quickly and render it unproductive. But we believe in 
the good old market system (such as we took part in 
around London in our boyhood) of putting plenty in 
and taking abundance out. Ground highly cultivated, 
with abundance of manure and free action of the spade 
in it, will never fail to produce plentiful and good 
crops. At this season it is highly necessary, especially 
where gardens are proportionately small, to make special 
arrangements as to the portion of ground each main 
, 
Caepentekia californica : Flowers white. 
numerous and beautifully varied, including C. M. Rex, 
the king of this section, C. M. tincta and C. M. 
grandis, the latter being distinguished by a large 
strongly undulated lip of an intense purple colour. A 
handsome new Cattleya named C. signata is particularly 
chaste. We noticed about a dozen flowers on two spikes 
of C. Lawrenciana, while another plant bore flowers of 
remarkable size. Equally varied were the forms of C. 
Skinneri, large masses of which were very floriferous. 
To these must be added C. Schroderse, C. Trian® 
magnifica, and C. Leopoldi, the flowers of which are 
notable for their size and contrast of colours. Laelia 
elegans Mastersii has white sepals and petals, with its 
lip beautifully marked with the richest crimson-purple ; 
and L. purpurata Wyattiana is as notably distinct in 
the chaste rosy lines traversing the lip. 
The largest-flowered and brightest-coloured variety 
of Dendrobium nobile, is that named D. n. nobilius, 
the huge sepals and petals of which are of a deep rich 
purple. The Himalayan D. Griffithianum is a rarer 
and much finer species than D. densiflorum, and 
graced by C. L. atropurpureum, which lasts in flower 
for three months together; the gracefully arching 
spikes always command admiration. Masdevallias are 
both numerous and pretty, including such gems as M. 
Wagneri, M. Veitchii grandiflora, M. Chelsoni, and M. 
Harryanum, with M. H. regalis and M. H. acanthi- 
folia, some of the richest forms to be seen anywhere. 
The reddish crimson of the interior of the huge, 
fleshy, Tulip-like flowers of Anguloa Ruckeri sanguinea 
is no more striking than the strong but delicious odour 
emanating from them, and pervading the whole house 
in their vicinity. Those who do not generally admire 
Epidendrums should see the regularly and beautifully 
blotched E. prismatocarpum, or the large-lipped, yellow, 
white, and purple spotted flowers of E. Wallacei. The 
late-flowering variety of Ccelogyne cristata maxima is 
still in perfection, prolonging the season of this popular 
and useful Orchid. The thong-leaved Scuticaria Steelii 
hangs from the roof adorned with its large purple 
blotched and striped flowers ; while equally interesting 
in its way is Miltonia cuneata with a white lip, brown 
sepals and petals, striped with yellow. Nor must the 
fragrant white-flowered Angrsecum arcuatum be passed 
over without comment. 
crop will occupy; and this done, it is easily arranged 
as to growing the minor items, which are only a short 
time on the land. ¥e grow Spinach, Turnips, Radishes, 
and small salads between main crops of Cabbages, &c., 
and in open spaces among fruit bushes, and always 
have abundance of them. Scarlet Runners, kept dwarf 
by topping, form lines to brakes and permanent crops. 
Beetroot banded with Parsley fills borders in which 
coarse-growing vegetables would be unsightly, ornament 
and usefulness being thus combined. Peas^ have not 
plots of ground to themselves, but are sown in single 
rows, dividing off main crops. Dwarf Peas fill up spare 
corners where tall kinds could not be grown. Potatos 
give room for numerous items to be placed between the 
rows, but they are not allowed to be crowded or crippled 
by the light crops. There is little gained by planting 
Kale, Brussels Sprouts or any bulky crops between 
Potatos. Where true economy is an object, ground 
should be manured when necessary, planted and sown 
as soon as the crops are removed from the space, and 
no portion of the land should remain unoccupied with 
crops so long as it is safe to plant or sow some useful 
kinds. — Caledonian. 
