September 27, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
53 
the later stages the lower half changes to a deep orange. 
The disposition of the different parts of the flower is 
very curious and even grotesque. The flowers them¬ 
selves hang face downwards, but the segments are so 
strongly reflexed as to stand perpendicularly. Then 
the stamens stand out more or less horizontally, while 
the style is sharply reflexed from the top of the ovary 
till it is horizontal with the stamens, or nearly erect 
with the segments. In any case it is much longer than 
the stamens, and projects beyond them, thus necessi¬ 
tating the pollen being carried by some insect or bird, 
and this fact would almost ensure cross-fertilisation 
with pollen from another flower. The strong ridges on 
the base of the upper surface of the segments are of a 
glandular nature, as occurs in man other Lilyworts. 
--«&*-- 
ONCIDIUM FLEXUOSUM. 
Notwithstanding the comparatively small size of the 
flowers of this species, it is one of the most popular at 
the present day amongst those who grow plants for 
decorative purposes, as well as for cut bloom. Under 
good treatment the scapes attain a height of 3 ft. or 
Smelting furnaces, pit shafts, and pit stalks, the latter 
belching forth volumes of smoke that at times obscure 
the horizon, with the usual din and bustle attending 
such centres of industry, are the chief things of note as 
we emerge from the railway station to find our way 
through the little town of Wishaw to the main entrance 
—one of four—to the policies. The main avenue—a 
spacious one in length and breadth—imparts an air of 
liberality, and that, combined with the entrance gates 
and lodge, does not belie the liberal hand of the popular 
family of Houldsworth, whose name is associated with 
numerous charities, and whose hands are ever ready to 
be stretched towards the poor and oppressed. As we 
proceed along the avenue we observe evidences of the 
smoky concomitants, referred to above, in the soot- 
bespattered foliage, and grimy coating of the wood of 
trees and shrubs on either side. Nearing the gardens, 
however, these evidences assume a less remarkable 
character, which, I presume, is from the fact of their 
being further removed from ths furnaces, &c., and, 
perhaps, not so much in the “windward track.” 
These prominent characteristics of a locale long noted 
for its mineral productions, impress one with a desire 
local quartz, could not possibly be made more pleasing. 
Ficus repens covers the back wall and adds to the 
effect with its pleasing greenery. The Lapagerias, it 
may be said, are planted out in a prepared border. 
The Camellia-house is shaded with Gloire de Dijon 
and Homer Roses, and from their density one would be 
inclined to think the Camellias would suffer. On the 
contrary these are in the best of health, and well set, 
with no scalded foliage to be seen. The Peach houses 
deserve a passing word, as they are in splendid order, 
and on those trees on which fruits were still hanging, 
evidences were there to show what the others must 
have been—excellent fruit, and in great quantity. 
The early house was finishing its wood, fine, firm, 
plump in bud, and build—no spider, thrip, nor scale to 
be seen. The varieties grown in the early house are 
Dr. Hogg, Victoria, Condor, and Royal George ; with 
Nectarines Humboldt and Hunt’s Tawny. In the 
second house the varieties were Princess of Wales, 
Noblesse, and Late Admirable ; with Nectarines 
Victoria and Pitmaston Orange. 
In the vineries all the standard varieties are grown. 
In the early vinery all are Black Hamburgh. In the 
ONCIDIUM FLEXUOSUM. 
4 ft., bearing a large much-branched panicle at the top, 
the numerous flowers of which have a very elegant 
appearance. The sepals and petals are very small and 
yellow, spotted with brown, while the lip is usually of 
a clear yellow and unspotted. In the variety 0. f. 
radiatum, however, the lip is beautifully marked with 
radiating purple-brown lines. There is also a variety 
named 0. f. majus having larger flowers than the type, 
-and is also very desirable. Either form is, however, 
still worth growing. In groups of plants they are very 
suitable for dotting here and there amongst the taller 
specimens to lighten the dark foliage of Ferns and Palms. 
It thrives freely grown in pots amongst other cool- 
house Orchids, or even in the Cattleya house. The 
native country is Brazil, from whence it was introduced 
to this country in 1818. The accompanying illustration 
gives a good idea of the size and disposition of the 
flowers. 
— — ———— 
COLTNESS. 
En route to the late exhibition of the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society in Edinburgh, I broke my journey 
at Wishaw, near Glasgow, with the intention of having 
a look round the gardens at Coltness. The general 
surroundings of this fine gardening establishment are 
anything but inviting, indeed, quite the reverse. 
to go further afield to find landscapes pleasant to the 
eyes, if not to other no less sensitive organs. Still, 
when wonders are achieved outside and inside, in 
various matters pertaining to gardening, under such 
conditions, these achievements are all the more credit¬ 
able to those who battle against such heavy odds, and 
win. 
As in nearly all coal and iron-stone districts, the soil 
here is cold and rather retentive, which means lateness 
as a consequence. Yet numerous choice trees and 
shrubs bestud the ground, but our time being limited, 
note-taking in that department was quite out of the 
question, and hence we hurried on to the glass depart¬ 
ment, which is on a large scale. The main range of 
houses is 120 yards loDg, divided as follows :—Rose- 
house and Lapageria-house at either end, large span- 
roofed outshot Camellia-house in the centre, atone side 
of which stretches away three vineries, and on the 
other side two Peach-houses, all curvilinear roofed. To 
enumerate the contents of each house would require 
more space than would seem justifiable, but neverthe¬ 
less a few notes were taken, and some of them may be 
reproduced. The Lapageria-house is clothed all over 
with a dense profusion of growth, and long depending 
panicles of the varieties rosea and alba intermixed. 
The effect is charming, and what with the arrangement 
underneath of shade-loving plants, such as Ferns and 
Begonia Rex in variety, planted on rock-work formed of 
second house are Muscat of Alexandria, Golden Queen, 
and Duchess of Buccleuch ; and in the third, Gros 
Colmar, Lady Downe’s Seedling, and Black Hamburgh ; 
the fourth being devoted to Muscat of Alexandria, and 
Muscat Hamburgh. In each of these houses fine crops 
are carried, and the late varieties, just finishing, are 
extra fine, and from present appearances must supply 
all ordinary demands in the season. The greenhouse, 
100 ft. long and 25 ft. broad, is one of the finest of its 
kind we have seen. Of medium height, and very light, 
span-roofed, and curvilinear, it is admirably adapted for 
ordinary greenhouse subjects. Over the pathway on 
either side of the centre stage, a neat drapery of Lapa- 
gerias seems quite in its proper place, at once affording 
shade to on-lookers, and screening the sun’s rays from 
those plants occupying positions accessible to the rays of 
old Sol, and minimising artificial shading. Seedling 
tuberous Begonias in great variety occupied one of the 
side benches, and even of themselves made quite a 
show ; while other benches were filled with numerous 
greenhouse plants, floweiing and foliage, in great 
variety, and included a choice collection of succulent 
plants in a corner reserved for them. An exceedingly 
fine specimen of Rhododendron Countess of Hadding¬ 
ton stood opposite one of the doors, and placed as a 
finishing touch to the centre stage, showed blossom 
buds on every point, was neatly trained in pyramidal 
form, having few equals in the country. 
