January 31, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
849 
of the pot at each, successive watering. Because a root 
clung to charcoal or bones, he said, we should not con¬ 
clude that the plant was feeding on them, or deriving any 
large amount of nourishment from them. As an 
example, he alluded to the epiphytal Orchids clinging 
to the branches of trees, not for the nourishment they 
derived from them, but to fix themselves in their 
position. Ifbor.es were used for plants of quick growth, 
he would prefer to have them fine and mixed with 
the soil. 
-- 
WOOLTON GARDENERS’ 
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. 
Tiie annual meeting in connection with this society 
took place on the 22nd inst., at the Mechanics’ Insti¬ 
tute, Woolton, near Liverpool. In the unavoidable 
absence of the president, Mr. Holbrook Gaskell, J.P., 
the chair was occupied by Mr. Harvey Gibson, M.A., 
Professor of Botany, University College, Liverpool. 
The committee, in their report, which was read by Mr. 
J. Eothwell, secretary, again had the pleasure of 
recording a successful year’s working. The member¬ 
ship, although slightly less than last year, is still 
satisfactory, the total number being eighty-three, 
with an average attendance at the fortnightly meetings 
of fifty. Thanks were tendered, for special prizes for 
essays, to the Rev. G. H. Spooner, Mr. Harvey Gibson 
and Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sod. The library has 
proved of great benefit, the members showing their 
appreciation of it by freely using the volumes through¬ 
out the year. Several valuable works of reference have 
recently been added to it. 
The statement of accounts read by Mr. R. G. 
Waterman, treasurer, showed an exact balance of 
receipts and expenditure. Messrs. Tobb, R. W. Ker 
and the chairman, in reviewing the work during the 
past year, characterised it as successful and satisfactory 
to the society, and tending to the elevation of horticul¬ 
ture in the district. The chairman announced the list 
of winners of prizes for essays, which will be read at the 
meetings during the coming season, viz. : Hardy 
Border Flowers, Mr. A. Griffiths; Hardy Fruit Culture, 
Mr. A. Kime ; Selection and Cultivation of Hollies, 
Mr. H. Corlett; and the Cultivation of the Greenhouse 
Rhododendron, Mr. R. E. Waterman. The chairman 
offered a selection of books on botany for an essay on 
Hybridisation, and Messrs. R. P. Ker & Son, a prize 
of one guinea for an essay on Spring Flowering Plants 
and Shrubs adapted for forcing from Christmas to May, 
which were accepted with the best thanks of the society. 
Mr. R. G. Waterman and Mr. J. Rothwell were unani¬ 
mously re-elected treasurer and secretary, on the 
proposition of Mr. R. W. Ker ; and Mr. J. Griffiths, 
librarian, on the motion of Mr. T. Carling. A unani¬ 
mous vote of thanks to the Professor for his able 
services in the chair terminated a highly successful 
meeting. 
ORCHID NO TES AND GLEANINGS, 
Double-flowered Cattleya intermedia. 
It would be more correct to speak of the twin-flowered 
Cattleya intermedia in the case under our notice, of a 
specimen received from Mr. A. Sparkes, gardener to A. 
Allcard, Esq., Wimblehurst, Horsham, Sussex. It 
might be regarded as a floral Siamese twins, inasmuch 
as all parts of the two flowers were completely formed, 
but their pedicels, ovaries, and a contiguous sepal of 
each of the two flowers were united throughout their 
length. The latter were not, however, amalgamated 
together, but merely united along the middle of their 
backs, leaving their edges free, and forming a dividing 
wall between the lips of the two flowers. The sepals 
and petals were of a delicate blush, the latter undulated 
at the margin. The tube of the lip was almost pure 
white, and the lamina of a rich amethyst-purple, with 
a crisped dentate margin. There was no other mal¬ 
formation of the flowers than their union as above 
described, and none of the parts were absent. 
L/elia autumnalis atrorubens. 
Less popular because less variable in the colour of its 
flowers than L. anceps, the type of the plant under note 
(L. autumnalis) is, notwithstanding, a beautiful and 
useful subject for winter flowering. The variety L. a. 
atrorubens is one of the best and most ornamental 
forms on account of the rich colour of the flowers. The 
sepals and petals are of a rich magenta-purple, darkest 
towards the tips, and fading somewhat to the base. 
The terminal lobe of the lip is even darker than the 
other parts of the flower, but fades to white or nearly so 
towards the base. The crest consists of two pure white 
ridges or plates, with a smaller onebetween'on the lower 
part of the lip, and is therefore very distinct from the 
elevated disc-like ridge of L. anceps, bearing upon it 
three raised and purple lines. Eirlier in the season 
the expanding buds suffered somewhat from the fog, 
but those now fully expanded are beautiful, even if 
somewhat smaller than in milder winters. The house 
in which the plants are grown is kept at an intermediate 
temperature. 
Cypripediums at Daisy Cottage, Stacxsteads- 
It has been with admiration, amounting almost to 
enthusiasm, that I have noted the many important 
additions recently made to Mr. David Lord’s choice 
collection of Cypripedes. The visitor, as he enters the 
Cypripedium house, cannot fail to be struck with the 
health and cleanliness of every plant, and the exquisite 
arrangement, so that the flowers and foliage blend well 
together. Cypripedium Lrwrenceanum was very con¬ 
spicuous with its bright foliage ; C. Morganire, a nice 
healthy plant ; C. Selligerum maju*, a model plant, 
with numerous growths ; C. hirsutissimum, C. bella- 
tulum ; a fine form of C. barbatum, C. longifolium, 
with numerous scapes ; the well-known C. Spicerianum, 
many fine examples — a great favourite with Mr. 
Lord ; C. Curtisii, C. Yeitchii, C. cenanthum supeibum, 
C. vexillarium, C. Ashburtonire, C. Druryi, C. grande, 
C. Leeanum, C. punctatum violaceum, C. Swanianum, 
and many others ; however, the foregoing will suffice to 
show that progress is the order of the day at Daisy 
Cottage. In passing through the cool house, I noticed 
the development of some remarkably strong scapes 
of Odontoglossum Alexandra and Oneidium macran- 
thum, from which a rich harvest will be reaped 
in the near future. Prominently amongst Dendrobes 
stood out the lovely D. Wardianum, with bulbs from 
3 ft. to 4 ft. long, noble examples of high culture, 
and by this time are yielding a rich harvest of 
flowers.— J. 31cJS 7 ab. 
Oncidium Cebolleta. 
The usual flowering period of this species is stated to 
be summer, but a plant of it at Devonhurst, Chiswick, 
flowers regularly during winter, say December and 
January ; and such winters as the present may continue 
even till February. The peculiar habit of the plant 
attracts the attention not less than the beauty of the 
flowers. It has round or rather terete leaves, similar 
to those of 0. Jonesianum, but instead of being pendent 
as in the latter case they are erect, stout, deep green, 
and about 18 ins. long. The flower scape is 3J ft. loDg, 
and panicled at the apex. The flowers are of medium 
siz 3 , and pretty. The sepals and petals are yellow, 
and transversely banded with brownish red. The lip 
is deeply three-lobed, yellow, and constitutes the most 
conspicuous part of the flower. One of the good points 
of this Orchid is that the habit is neat and requires 
hut a small pot, and a small amount of room for its 
perfect development. The fog crippled the earliest 
developed buds, but on the advent of a clearer sky, the 
rest of them opened beautifully. 
--- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Cyclamens.— Nahant : After the plants ceased flowering the 
old custom used to be to dry off or bake the plants till they were 
dust dry ; but that system has been entirely exploded. Now, 
the plants are kept watered till the leaves show signs of the 
plant going to rest by becoming yellow. Even then the corms 
are not thoroughly dried oft’, hut simply allowed to rest by keep¬ 
ing them cool, say in a frame in the open air, and slightly 
shaded during the day if the air is dry and the sun warm. After 
a time the corms will commence to grow again, sending out 
young leaves and fresh roots. As soon as you detect them com¬ 
mencing to grow, turn them out, reduce the hall considerably 
and re-pot, using a compost of equal parts of good loam and leaf- 
soil. Some growers pot in pure loam. Market growers do not 
grow on their plants a second time, but raise a fresh stock from 
seed every year, because by so doing they get a much greater 
quantity of bloom. 
Eucharis Mite.— Juno : The Eueharis leaves and roots you 
sent us leave little doubt in our mind that they are being 
destroyed by the mite. We could Dot discern any of the mites 
themselves ; but then you must examine the outer scales of the 
bulb, for it is there they usually congregite. It would be 
necessary to use a lens, or some magnifying power to detect 
them. What you had best do is to dry off the bulbs, shake 
them clean out of the soil, remove the outer and injured scales, 
then thoroughly wash the bulbs in some insecticide containing 
sulphur, Lemon Oil, Fir Tree Oil, or even soot mixed in water. 
This operation may he repeated at intervals for some days. In 
the mean time the bulbs should be laid on a shelf in the stove 
near the glass, keep them thoroughly dry and exposed to the 
sun for some weeks. Finally the bulbs may be re-potted 
and started again. This plan has been adopted' and proved 
successful with several cultivators. There is no difficulty in 
killing the mite, provided you can biing the insecticide in close 
contact with it. Hence the necessity of removing the outer 
scales and all decayed portions, and thoroughly washing. (The 
Gardenia next week.) 
Names or- Fruit. — C. J. II. B.: We fade I to get the Pear 
identified. 
Names of Plants — II. K. M .: 1, Chimonanthus fragrans 
grandiflora ; 2, Muehlenbeckia complex.!. T . Dunlop : Ladia 
anceps and Zygopetalum Mackayi intermedium. E. P. : Garden 
forms of Epacris, which we regret we cannot identify. There 
are so many of them, and so closely alike that it is impossible 
to distinguish more than a few of the most distinct. 
Pansies, &c.— Omega: Fancy Pansies are the best for the 
purpose you name, and any first-class seedsman can supply 
seeds. The answer to your second question is, No. 
Primula sinensis. — Nahant: To have your plants in flower 
about Christmas a sowing should be made in May in shallow 
pans of light sandy 1 lain and leaf-soil, using a large portion of 
the latter, as well as sand. Drain well, fill the pans within 
half-an-inch of the rim, and after making firm, sow tha seeds, 
covering them very lightly. Place the pans in a warm frame, 
pit or stove, covering them with squares of glass until the seeds 
are up. Do not disturb the seedlings until they are fit to pot 
off singly, unless they are inclined to damp, when you may 
transplant them to other pans to avoid damping. In a fort¬ 
night's time they should be fit to remove to a cold frame, when 
they can be grown for the rest of the summer, and receive the 
full advantage of light by being near the glass. Shift them 
from time to time info larger pots as the smaller ones Become 
filled with roots. Generally speaking, unless very large plants 
are required, 5-in. or 6 in. pots will he large enough for the final 
shift. Give plenty of air at all times during fine weather, and 
shade from strong sun. Towards autumn some flowers may 
make their appearance, hut they should be pinched out as soon 
as they can be laid hold of, in order to encourage the plants to 
make growth. Remove the plants indoors before the approach 
of frosty nights in autumn, and place them on shelves near the 
glass in a temperature of 50° to 55° Fall. 
Trade Directory. — D. : The Garden Annual (37, South¬ 
ampton Street, Strand,W.O.) or The Horticultural Directory (171, 
Fleet Street, E.C.) both give the information you require. Both 
are sold at a shilling. 
Communications Received —E. M.— H. B. K—C. B.—W. N. 
—R. S.—A West London Artizan- C. L, A.—One in His Teens— 
One of the Erring Ones—B. F.—W. H.—F. R. S.—T. B.—W. B. 
—T. W. 
-- 
TKADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
H. Cannell & Sons, Swanley, Kent.—Floral Guide for 1891. 
John K. King, Coggeshall. Essex.—Illustrated Garden Manual 
for 1S91. 
John Smith, SIratford-on-Avon.—Imperishable Horticultural 
Labels. 
J. E. Barnes, 9, Exchange Street, Norwich.—Vegetable and 
Flower Seeds, 4 c. 
William Bull, 536, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W.—Flower and 
Vegetable Seeds, &c. 
J. Fox, Banbury.—New and Choice Chrysanthemums. 
-- 
THE WEATHER. 
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean 
reading of the barometer during the week ending Jan. 
24th was 29 64 ins.; the highest reading was 30'25 ins.’ 
on Sunday morning, and the lowest 29 28 ins. on 
Saturday afternoon. The mean temperature of the air, 
after having been below freezing point for six weeks, 
rose last week to 35'3°, hut was still 4° below the 
average in the corresponding weeks of the 20 years 
ending 1868. It was 14'1° below the average on 
Sunday, and 12 9 C on Monday, and also showed a 
deficiency on the next three days, but on Friday and 
Saturday there was an excess in the mean temperature 
of over 4°. The general direction of the wind was 
south-westerly, and the horizontal movement of the air 
averaged 16'5 miles per hour, which was 2 6 mile3 
above the average in the corresponding weeks of 16 
years. Rain fell on four days of the week, to the 
aggregate amount of 0‘56 of an inch. The duration of 
registered bright sunshine in the week was 10'5 hours 
at Greenwich, while it was 20’4 hours at Glynde Place, 
Lewes. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
January 26th. 
Messrs. Hurst & Sox, 152, Houndsditch, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report a steady sale 
for Agricultural seeds. English and Red Clover is in 
fair supply, and realises prices current last week. 
White Clover, Alsike and Trefoil steady. Italian 
Rye-grasses dearer. Hemp seed has advanced 4s. per 
quarter. Rape and Canary firm. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
January 26th. 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s . d . i . d . j.d. s . d . 
Artichokes, Globe,doz. 3 0 6 0 Herbs _per bunch 0 2 0 4 
Beans, French, per lb. 1 6 2 0 Horse Radish, bundle 3 0 5 0 
Beet .per dozen 2 0 3 0 Lettuces ..per dozen 16 2 0 
Brussels Sprouts Mushrooms, p. basket 13 2 0 
per half sieve 3 0 4 0 Onions.. ..per bushel 3 6 5 q 
Cabbages.... per doz. 1 6 2 0 Parsley_per bunch 0 6 
Carrots-per bunch 0 6 Radishes ..per dozen 1 6 
Cauliflowers, English, Sea Kale.per lb. 2 6 3 0 
per dozen 3 0 6 0 Small salading,punnet 0 4 
Celery-per bundle 2 6 Spinach, per strike ..3 6 
Cucumbers -each 0 4 OS Tomatos _per lb. 10 14 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 3 0 Turnips _per bun. 0 6 
Potatos.— Kent Regents, 80s. to 100s. per ton ; Kent Kidneys, 
80s. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per bon. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s.d. | 
Apples .. per £-sieve 16 6 0 
Cherries.4-sieve 
Currant, black,"£sieve 
— red.J-sieve 
Grapes .per lb. 0 9 3 0 
s.d. s.d. 
Kent Cobs ...100 lbs. 50 0 55 0 
Nova Scotia Apples IS 0 30 0 
Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 
— St. Michaels, each 2 6 6 6 
Plums .... per £ sieve 
