May 5, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
573 
Odontoglossum Rossii Humeana. 
Amongst the numerous (we should almost say hundreds) 
varieties of this popular, ornamental, and easily grown 
Orchid, how distinct is the yellow-ground variety 
known as 0. R. Humeana ! The sepals and the base of 
the petals are blotched with brown in the usual manner, 
while the crest of the lip is bright yellow, all the rest 
being of a pale yellow of a different tint altogether. 
It may be seen in Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons’ nursery at 
Chelsea. 
Epidendrum Stamfordianum Wallacei. 
The flowers of this species are rather smaller than the 
type, but very numerously produced in branching 
racemes. The stems are short, and so are the panicles, 
so that the plant constitutes a neat and compact subject 
for growing in pots or small Orchid-pans, to be hung up 
near the light. The sepals and petals are yellow, 
closely spotted with purple. The large, three-lobed, 
and conspicuous labellum is creamy white and spotted 
with purple. The typical form, which is figured in the 
Botanical Magazine, t. 4759, is larger and also a 
serviceable species. The variety under notice may be 
seen at Chelsea, in Mr. "William Bull’s show house. 
Ornithocephalus grandiflorus. 
Out of about twenty species of this genus of curious 
little plants it seems that this is the only one in culti¬ 
vation, and having seen it on several occasions, we 
cannot but admire its chaste beauty, independently of 
the great botanical interest attached to it on account 
of the excessive elongation of the rostellum and pedicel 
of the pollinia, which collectively have been compared 
to a bird’s head, giving rise to the generic name. The 
flowers are milk-white, with a deep green blotch at the 
base of the lateral sepals and petals, while the crest is 
also green and curiously lobed. They are also the 
largest known in the genus, and produced in arching 
racemes from a tuft of evergreen leaves, constituting it 
a plant of great beauty. It was originally described 
by Lindley from dried specimens, and having been 
introduced in a live state a few years ago, it is hoped 
that it will soon get disseminated throughout the 
country. It is now flowering finely in Mr. William 
Bull’s show-house at Chelsea. 
Cypripedium Sallieri. 
A fine form of this Orchid is now flowering in the 
nursery of Messrs. Shuttleworth, Carder & Co. The 
scapes are dwarf, not exceeding 6 ins. or 8 ins. in height, 
the flowers being characterised by a glossy shining 
lustre, and a decided yellow tint pervading the whole. 
The standard, which is large and conspicuous, is spotted 
all over with brown, and the upper longitudinal half of 
the petals is deeply shaded with the same colour. 
Being neat and compact in habit, the plants worthily 
occupy the small place they require—a consideration 
where space is limited. 
Pleurothallis macroblepharis. 
There is a considerable superficial resemblance between 
this species and P. Barberiana, both of which are pretty 
and interesting, although diminutive kinds. The plant 
under notice bears numerous scapes in succession, with 
flowers in racemes. The sepals are pale ochre, sub¬ 
transparent, and spotted with blackish purple. The 
lip is flat and hairy, not smoothed, thickened, and 
fleshy, as in P. Barberiana. The two species are, as 
already stated, similar, and occasionally confused in 
gardens; but a close inspection of the lips of the two 
serves to distinguish them easily. The plant is now in 
flower in the nursery of Messrs. Shuttleworth, 
Carder & Co. 
-- 
The Gard eners’ C alendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Gesnerads. —A batch of these may now be re-potted 
for late summer flowering, including such fine things 
as Gesnera refulgens, G. Donkelaariana, Nsegelia zebrina 
and N. cinnabarina. The latter two are sometimes 
classed in the genus Gesnera. The larger tubers, or, 
rather, short scaly rhizomes, may be put singly into 
5-in. pots, or three to five may be placed in a 6-in. or 
larger pot, as convenience may suggest. Peat and 
leaf-soil, with a small quantity of fibrous loam and 
sand, constitute a suitable compost, and in this the 
rhizomes may be placed, covering them to the depth 
of 1 in. Keep the soil on the dry side until the plants 
have fairly started into growth, when they will enjoy a 
gradually increasing quantity. It is not advisable to 
syringe after the leaves have expanded, as the metallic 
lustre and spotted foliage is liable to be damaged or 
disfigured by lime in the water. 
Coleus. —Serviceable plants may yet be obtained for 
the decoration of the conservatory towards autumn by 
propagation from cuttings, which soon take root, and 
grow vigorously with abundance of light and the 
greater increase of sun-heat. Keep tying down the 
shoots of those plants intended for exhibition, so that 
they may be neat and regular. A sunny position 
should also be given them as near the glass as possible, 
to make the growths strong and short jointed. 
Adiantums. —These have now made a splendid set 
of young fronds, so that there will now be no danger in 
cutting away all old and unsightly ones, especially those 
infested with scale. This applies more especially to 
A. trapeziforme, and its varieties, A. Catherinae and 
A. cultratum, to A. formosum, A. peruvianum, A. tetra- 
phyllum, and such firm or leathery-leaved kinds which 
are more or less materially damaged by a wholesale 
cutting down of the old leaves before the young ones 
are developed. _ 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Tuberous-rooted Begonias. —The seedlings that are 
now well advanced and potted oft’ should be placed in a 
cooler temperature than that of the stove or pit, where 
they have been raised and urged into growth. Those 
intended for flowering in pots should be potted singly 
and shifted on as they require it. They should not be 
taken to a cool house immediately after potting, but 
allowed a few days in which to re-establish themselves, 
after which they will enjoy the atmosphere of a well- 
ventilated house, and make a sturdier shorter-jointed 
growth. 
Herbaceous Calceolarias. — Green-fly is very 
partial to these soft-wooded subjects, and should be 
dislodged by fumigation immediately the pest makes its 
appearance. Very large plants should have their flower- 
stems tied out and regulated on a few neat stakes (the 
fewer the better) before the large blooms expand and 
become crowded, or before they get broken down by 
their own weight, especially when carried about. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —As soon as the earliest crops are ripe, a 
drier and cooler atmosphere should be maintained, 
giving just as much water as will keep the berries 
plump and the foliage healthy. During the time the 
berries are colouring in later houses, a brisk heat should 
be kept up in the hot-water pipes, but abundance of 
air should be given top and bottom during the day. 
This should be gradually reduced in the afternoon, but 
a little may be left on all night. Damping down may 
be done early in the day, so that the atmosphere may 
soon get dry again. It need only be done on bright 
days, but by that means the foliage will be greatly 
assisted in maintaining a healthy condition. Muscats, 
late houses of Hamburgh, and others should have their 
berries thinned as early as possible. There is a material 
advantage in a saving of time, and also economising 
the energies of the Vine on those berries that are left. 
Muscats may be allowed to remain unthinned for a 
short time if there is any uncertainty as to those berries 
which will take the lead. By that means larger fruit 
will be ensured than if imperfectly fertilised and weakly 
ones were left. Well-drained borders will now require 
a considerable amount of water, which should be 
applied in a tepid state, together with feeding in the 
shape of liquid manure, and occasional top-dressings of 
guano. 
Peaches. —The fruit on the earliest started trees 
will now have taken the second swelling after the 
stoning period, and such being the case, they must not 
be neglected in the matter of moisture at the roots. 
Liquid and other manurial constituents should be 
applied to the borders in order to assist the trees in 
producing good-sized fruit. The house may be closed 
earlier in the afternoon, and a higher temperature 
maintained. 
Tomatos. —Those intending to plant under glass 
should now have the plants in healthy vigorous 
condition, so that they may be planted out immediately. 
Assist with fire-heat, which is especially necessary 
during the prevalence of east winds that have made 
the past winter and spring anything but favourable to 
vegetation, whether under glass or out of doors. Those 
who have houses specially set apart for the growth of 
Tomatos will have no difficulty in this respect. Others, 
again, are obliged to grow them in vineries or Peach 
houses, where the conditions as to light are not always 
so favourable, although the temperature generally 
suffices. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Sowing. —The last two months have been any¬ 
thing but favourable to the sowings of the Brassica 
tribe made out of doors, and between the cold winds 
and the birds very unsatisfactory progress has been 
made, while in some cases a second sowing has had to 
be resorted to. In some instances, where plants are 
required as soon as possible, sowings may be made in 
frames, or even in boxes, in some heated house, so as 
to bring them forward. Kale and late Broccoli may 
still be sown in the open air. 
Peaches on Walls. —Be in no hurry to remove 
the protecting material until the fruit has fairly got 
beyond all danger, as, owing to the cold spring, the 
trees were late coming into bloom, and frosts may still 
be expected. Disbudding should be done as early as 
practicable, but many cultivators prefer to retain the 
foliage as long as possible, in order to protect the fruit. 
See that newly-planted trees do not suffer from drynes 3 
at the root. _ • zx< > _ 
HORTICUL TURAL S OCIETIES. 
Manchester Botanical and Horticultural. 
May 1 st. 
The second spring flower show of this society was held 
on Tuesday in the Town Hall under most unfortunate 
circumstances as regards the weather. The two great 
features of the show—besides the special exhibition 
of Auriculas and Polyanthuses made by the northern 
section of the National Auricula Society—were supplied 
by the Primulas and Narcissi. Of Narcissi the show 
was again something marvellous, consisting of large 
collections from Messrs. Barr k Son, London ; Messrs. 
Dickson & Robinson, Old Millgate, Manchester; Messrs. 
James Dickson & Sons, Newton Nurseries, Chester ; 
and Mr. Richard Barker, of Prampton, Boston. Mr. 
S. Barlow exhibited among his lovely group of Narcissi 
a charming little neophyte called Narcissus rupicola, a 
flower like a Buttercup, tender and delicate beyond 
conception even to those who know what is the capacity 
of this playful genus. There was also a grand display 
of Cyclamens, made by Mr. John Odell, of Hillingdon, 
Middlesex, who showed a similar group to that which 
recently took honours at the Regent’s Park. 
Of new plants, excepting Mr. Barlow’s delicious 
little Narcissus already mentioned, we noted only one 
example, Mr. Richard Barker’s Scilla odorata, never 
before shown in Manchester, and remarkable for its 
pleasing Hawthorn-like fragrance—a circumstance the 
more remarkable since blue and odour are in flowers 
so very rarely associated. Amongst the miscellaneous 
exhibits were a nice group of greenhouse plants from 
Mr. John Hooley, Stockport ; a collection of twenty 
or thirty Rhododendrons, in variety, from Mr. Thomas 
Lloyd ; and a very fine lot of cut Hyacinths from Messrs. 
Dickson, Brown, & Tait, Manchester. The following 
awards were made :—First Class Commendation for 
Hyacinths, Messrs. Dickson, Brown, & Tait ; First 
Class Certificate for Narcissi, Messrs. Barr & Son ; 
First Class Certificate for Narcissi, Messrs. James 
Dickson & Sons ; Cyclamens, Mr. J. Odell ; Crown 
Imperials, Mr. Richard Barker, Frampton, Boston. 
In connection with the Botanical Society’s Show 
there was held the exhibition of the National Auricula 
Society (northern division), and which reflected the 
highest credit upon the cultivators, and upon the 
secretary to the society, the Rev. F. D. Horner. The 
leading honours in this department were secured by 
Mr. Samuel Barlow, Middleton; Mr. S. Buckley, 
Stalybridge ; Mr.’ William Brockbank, Didsbury; 
Mr. Henry Wilson, Halifax ; the Rev. F. D. Horner, 
Kirkby Lonsdale ; Mrs. Kirke Penson, Ludlow ; Mr. 
Bolton, Warrington ; Mr. B. Simonite, Sheffield; Mr. 
William Barnfather, Leek ; Mr. T. Beswick, Middle- 
ton ; and Mr. Joseph Butterworth, Middleton. 
--—>*<*■- 
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
%*Special attention is paid in the columns of The 
Gardening World to the answering of questions on 
all subjects connected with practical horticulture, and 
the naming of Plants (other than Florists’ Flowers) and 
Fruits, in which department the Editor is assisted by 
gardeners and specialists of great experience. 
Correspondents who may require their communica¬ 
tions, if not accepted, to be returned, must in all cases 
enclose stamps for the return postage. The name and 
address of every writer must be given, not necessarily 
for publication, if that is not desired, but simply as a 
guarantee of the writer’s bond fides. No notice what¬ 
ever will be taken of anonymous letters. 
