June 20, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
673 
Caraguata, ” so called because within the axils of the 
leaves there was to be found nearly always a supply of 
cool fresh water—the collected and stored-up rains and 
dews—a property which was much appreciated in that 
parched and salt-saturated country. The other plant 
was the “ ii vira,”,of which the Indians obtained a fibre 
which they used for many purposes. He afterwards 
described types of vegetation that were seen on the 
downward overland journey to Asuncion, including 
the luxuriant semi-tropical forests bordering the River 
Paraguay. 
Royal Botanic, June Ylth. —The second summer 
exhibition was held under very favourable auspices as 
to weather, but was not in itself quite up to the usual 
standard. The stove and greenhouse plants were not 
so large as on the last occasion, and there was a falling 
away also in the large fine-foliaged plants. The fruits 
shown, too, were badly ripened, in many cases owing 
to the late season. Hardy flowers, Pelargoniums, and 
the large groups made, however, a fair display. The 
first prize in the open class for twelve stove and green¬ 
house plants went to Mr. J. F. Mould, Pewsey. His 
six plants in the nurserymen’s class were much better, 
Dracophyllum graeile, Erica Cavendishi, and E. aris- 
tella being fine. Mr. A. Offer, gardener to J. "Warren, 
Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley, had the best plants in 
the amateurs’ class. Mr. H. James, West Norwood, 
was the only exhibitor of twelve exotic Orchids ; and 
Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourn, Great 
Gearies, Ilford, had the first prize for a collection. 
Mr. H. James had the best Nepenthes and Sarra- 
cenias. Pelargoniums were smaller than on the last 
occasion. The first prizes in the amateurs’ classes for 
show and fancy varieties went to Mr. D. Phillips, 
Langley Broom, Slough. The premier awards in the 
nurserymen’s classes for both kinds went to Mr. C. 
Turner, Slough. Mr. Phillips had also the best zonal 
varieties. The first prizes for Ferns and variegated¬ 
leaved plants went to Mr. A. Offer. Mr. H. Eason, 
gardener to B. Noakes, Esq., Higbgate, had the best 
Coleus. Messrs. Paul & Son took the first prize for cut 
herbaceous flowers ; and Mr. T. S. Ware, Tottenham, 
was second. The best fine-foliaged plants were shown 
by Mr. A. Offer. The first prize for a collection of cut 
Irises was awarded to Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent 
Garden, who were also the first for Ixias and Sparaxis. 
Cut flowers in the open classes were not largely repre¬ 
sented. 
Fruit was shown in fair quantity, especially Grapes, 
but they were often far from ripe. The first prize for a 
collection went to Mr. J. Edmonds, Bestwood, Notting¬ 
ham, who had Grapes, Melons, a Pine Apple, the Cape 
Gooseberry, &c. ; he also had the two best Melons. 
Mr. T. Osman, gardener to L. J. Baker, Esq., 
Ottershaw Park, Chertsey, had the best basket of 
black Grapes ; and Mr. R, Grindrod, Whitfield 
Gardens, Hereford, had the best basket of any white 
variety. The best Peaches were shown by Mr. W. 
Robins, gardener to Colonel E. D. Lee, Hartwell 
House, Aylesbury, and the best Nectarines by Mr. J. 
Douglas. 
In the miscellaneous class a large group of Orchids, 
Ferns, &c., was exhibited by Messrs. B. S*. Williams k 
Son, Upper Holloway. A fine group of Orchids inter- 
. mixed with Ferns were also shown by Messrs. F. Sander 
& Co., St. Albans. Messrs. J. Laing & Sons, Forest 
Hill, had a large bank of fine-foliaged plants, inter¬ 
mixed with Begonias and Lilies. Messrs. W. Cutbush 
& Son, Higbgate, had some Pyrethrums, and also a 
large group of Palms and greenhouse flowering plants. 
Opposite the latter was a group of Roses, Rhododendrons, 
&c., shown by Messrs. Wm. Paul k Son. Messrs. Kelway 
& Son, Langport, had a large and effective collection of 
cut flowers of Irises, Pseonies, Pyrethrums, &e. Messrs. 
J. Yeitch k Sons, Chelsea, had a fine display of Rhodo¬ 
dendrons, Pyrethrum, Ixias, &c., in a cut state. Mr. 
T. S. "Wareshowed herbaceous plants, largely including 
the more popular sorts in season. A nice collection of 
miniature Cacti were exhibited by Messrs. J. Carter & 
Co., High Holborn ; a well-flowered lot of Gloxinias 
was shown by the same firm. Mr. G. Elliott, gardener 
to W. F. Darnell, Esq., Devonshire House, Stamford 
Hill, had a group of Orchids and Ferns. A group of 
Heaths, Orchids, and Ferns was exhibited by Messrs. 
H. Low & Co., Clapton. An extensive collection of 
hardy herbaceous flowers was shown by Messrs. Barr k 
Son, in the long side tent. Bedding Violas in great 
variety and beauty, as well as fancy Pansies 
were exhibited by Messrs. Dobbie & Co., Rothesay.’ 
Mr. W. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, exhibited cut 
Roses. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
Odontoglossum Shuttleworth/e- 
We have beenfavoured with a branch ofa racemeofbloom 
of this beautiful and rare Odontoglot from Mr. Russell, 
gardener at The Redlands, Kelvinside, Glasgow, who 
informs us that the flowers were much smaller than those 
on the main raceme. The latter must have been fine 
indeed, for those sent us measured over 3^ ins. across the 
petals, and close upon 4 ins. across the sepals. The latter 
were bright yellow with two clusters of chestnut-brown 
blotches, and were paler, almost white close to the base. 
The petals on the contrary were bright yellow, with a 
central cluster of blotches, and a broad white central 
band extending from thence to the base. The lip was 
obovate, toothed at the edge, recurved at the involute 
tip, and white with three large blotches in front of the 
golden yellow crest. The column and wings were 
white, the latter blotched with brown. On the whole the 
flowers were quite typical. Botanists have for many 
years supposed that 0. excellens (of which this is a near 
relation) was a natural hybrid between 0. Pescatorei and 
0. tripudians or 0. triumphans. This doubt has been 
set at rest by the raising of it from 0. Pescatorei, 
artificially fertilised with the pollen of 0. triumphans, 
by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea. We only 
know of one other plant of 0. Shuttleworthae—the one 
in the collection of the Hon. Erastus Corning. 
A Freak of Dendrobhjm Wardianum. 
The usual flowering season of this species has long been 
past, yet a late flower of curious form has been produced 
on a plant in the collection at Devonhurst, Chiswick. 
There were only four instead of six segments to the 
flower. The deformity was confined to one side of the 
bloom, but notwithstanding, only one sepal and a petal 
were perfect and unmodified. One half of the lip was 
perfect on that same side. The upper sepal was 
unusually broad, and consisted of the normal organ 
amalgamated with one of the petals, and was slightly 
displaced by being turned on one side. A petal and 
one of the lateral sepals appeared therefore to be wanting. 
The petal has already been accounted for, while the 
lateral sepal has become fused with the lip, so that the 
colour of that organ had almost disappeared along one 
side, whereas the other side had the customary orange 
ground colour on the lower half, marked with a maroon 
blotch. 
The Orchid-Growers’ Calendar. 
Cypripedium Stonei is a plant which is pretty sure to 
attract attention when bearing good spikes of fine flowers, 
and although by no means rare, it is a pity it is not 
often seen in good form at exhibitions. It is now 
making young growths as well as the ever popular C. 
caudatum, C. Lowii, and C. Morganije, and should 
any of them lack for room at the root, it will be 
advisable to re-pot them. The latter is still one of the 
grandest hybrids, albeit some thousands have been 
raised since its advent. None of the Cypripedes 
appear to be particular as to when they are re-potted, 
but when it is proposed to divide them, it appears to 
be sound policy to wait until the young growths have 
pushed far enough to enable the plant to be divided to 
best advantage. Plants should never be cut up 
merely for the sake of making two out of one ; for 
though the old hands went in for growing unwieldy 
specimens, they could not properly house. The present 
tendency lies too much the other way, viz., towards 
dividing too much. A little turfy yellow loam added 
to the peat and sphagnum is beneficial in potting C. 
Stonei and its offspring C. Morgan!®, as well as for the 
robust-growing G. bellatulum. In stove temperature 
they will all thrive and flower freely. 
Dendrobium Bensoni® should be allowed some new 
compost at once when the young growths get away, as 
they quickly throw out roots after the growths get a few 
inches long. The old varieties of D. moschatum and 
D. calceolus are to be found up and down in fine 
specimen size, and when well bloomed are very 
attractive. Now that the spikes are pushing they 
should have a good soaking of water, and be kept 
warmer and more moist during the growing season. 
D. thyrsiflorum having flowered will soon commence to 
grow, therefore any re-potting that is requisite should 
be attended to whilst the growths are small. Cattleya 
Mossi® of the early-flowering section are also ready for 
re-potting, and in case the pots are small, and covered 
with healthy roots which would harm the plant to 
disturb, the pot might have the bottom broken out, 
and be put into another a size larger, after having as 
much as possible of the old crocks and compost worked 
out, using clean crocks, a layer of sphagnum, and <mod 
brown fibrous peat.— IF. P. 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
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. 
Auricula Seed.— Novice: It takes some time to thoroughly 
develop the seed pods and ripen the seeds, but the latter is 
usually ready for sowing in July or the beginning of August. 
Sow carefully in well-drained boxes, filled with a compost of 
loam, leaf-soil and sand, sweet and porous, and keep them in a 
frame shaded from bright sunshine. When the seeds come up, 
have patience with the weaker ones, which are generally of the 
best quality. 
Books. T. Jameson: Quin’s Garden Receipts, published by 
Macmillan & Co., is the only one we know of. Amnite: Mr. 
Douglas' Hardy Florists' Flowers can still be obtained from the 
author, Great Gearies, Ilford. 
Cactuses.— Cereus: Most of the hardier species will do well in a 
frame all the year round. The best plan is to stand the pots on a 
bed of coarse ashes or burnt ballast, and fill in the space between 
the pots with coco-nut fibre refuse. When they commence to 
grow in spring you must give plenty of water, and syringe freely 
in the afternoon, closing the frame early. Towards autumn you 
must begin to dry them off by gradually withholding water, and 
taking off the lights in fine weather to expose them to the full 
sunshine. They must not be watered at all during the winter. 
Celery.— (Prower: Sandringham'White and Turner’s Incom¬ 
parable White are one and the same thing, but the latter name 
has the right to priority. It is one of the many really good 
things sent out by the late Mr. Charles Turner, of Slough. 
Crown Imperials.— D. L.: The best time to divide the bulbs 
and make fresh plantings is in the autumn, as soon as the stems 
have quite died down. In a general way this is the best time 
to plant all bulbous plants, the bulbs being then inactive. 
Eucharis. — F. H. G.: Unless you have a stove and can give 
the plant strong heat it is useless for you to try to grow it. 
Insects .—Gifford: Young specimens of the common Cock¬ 
roach, Blatta orientalis. But some strong-smelling syrup or 
London stout in a jar and sink it in the propagating bed up to its 
neck. If there are many about you will easily reduce their 
numbers in this way. You may also try baiting them with 
oatmeal for a few nights, and then mix some arsenic with it for 
one night. 
Names of Plants. — P. IF. : Oxalis rosea, better known as O. 
floribunda. M. A.: The flowers were those of Dicentra eximea ; 
the leaf that of Bocconia cordata. Perth : 1, Cotoneaster con¬ 
gests ; 2, Doronicum Pardalianches (Leopard’s Bane) ; 3 , 
Pernettya mucronata ; 4, Kerria japonica flore pleno ; 5, Begonia 
metallica ; 6, Lomaria alpina. IF. B.: Oncidium flexuosum. 
Nemo : 1, Eryngium alpinum, probably ; 2, Geranium eriostemon 
apparently (send when in flower); 3, Dicentra formosa ; 4, not 
recognised (send when in flower); 5, Scrophularia nodosa ; 6, 
Euphorbia species, not recognised; 7, Delphinium elatum 
variety ; 8, Sedum telephium ; 9, Brunfelsia calycina (with blue 
flowers); 10, Polemonium creruleum albiflorum (with white 
flowers); 11, Geranium phoeum ; 12, Polygonatum multiflorum ; 
13, Pulmonaria officinalis: 14, Preonia albiflora var.; 15, 
Myosotis palustris; 16, Lilium pyrenaicum; 17, Campanula 
latifolia, or a variety of it; 18, Alchemilla alpina conjuncta. 
Please send plants in flower next time ; only six of the eighteen 
were in bloom. J. L.: Datura cornigera, a very distinct 
species, introduced from the Organ Mountains in 1S44, but now 
very rarely seen. 
Orchid Peat.— Distracted Grower: We saw a really good 
sample at Mr. H. G. Smyth's, 21, Goldsmith Street, Drury Lane, 
W.C., the other day. You are by no means the only one in 
difficulty about peat; it is becoming harder to get every year. 
Propagating : “ Topping.’’— Apprentice : The term “topping" 
is usually understood in gardening to mean taking the tops off a 
plant, or plants, entirely, and certainly does not apply to the 
system of propagating, which you describe as “making an 
incision in an upward direction in the stem of the Dracaena, 
puttiDg a piece of sphagnum in the slit, and tying a handful of 
sphagnum round the wound.” This system, and its various 
modifications, is best described as propagating by circum- 
position. 
Sawdust as Manure. — Amateur Joiner: Sawdust in itself is 
of the smallest possible manunal value, but when used for bed¬ 
ding in stables, &c., it absorbs considerable quantities of urine, 
and so becomes useful as a means of conveying that form of 
plant food to the land. 
Willow Culture.— Salix: A little treatise on this subject 
was published some years ago by a famous Willow grower, 
William Scalling, of Basford, Notts, but we believe it has long 
been out of print. 
Communications Received.— E. M.—J. R. J. — J.L. — W. II. H. 
—W. C.-H. T.-W. W.—W. C.—T. R. B.—G. J. I.—J. W.—J. D. 
-- 
TRADE CATALOGUE RECEIVED. 
Reid & Bornemann, Trewsbury Road, Sydenham, S.E.—New 
Zonal Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Dahlias and Bedding Plants. • 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
June 15 th. 
Messrs. Hurst k Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report market for 
Clover Seeds unchanged. There is a moderate demand 
for Mustard and Rape Seeds at prices current last week. 
Rye Grasses steady. 
