February 21, 1891. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
395 
whorl represented by two strips only, and with the 
coloured glandular surface twisted towards the central 
axis of the Orange, showing that these peel strips are 
no other than transformed stamens, or carpels, or 
leaves. 
In my opinion the relation of the coloured peel to 
the pulp carpels is exactly that of the purple sheath of 
the Moutan Pteony to the green carpels it encloses. 
The peel is no more the outer surface of the carpels 
than the calyx of Physalis Alkekengi is the outer 
surface of its pulp carpels. 
In the Tangerine Orange there is only slight adhesion 
between the peel and the pulp cells. Then take fig. E, 
pi. 125, and fig. b, pi. 126, of Oranges and Lemons , and 
you will find one-third of an inch of space between the 
peel whorl and the pulp whorl; all degrees of adhesion 
and non-adhesion are to be found. Some varieties of 
Citrus have the peel so closely adhering to the pulp 
that it can only be detached with a knife, while in 
others the pulp ball actually rattles within the peel 
envelope. 
'What is most convincing of all, however, is that in 
those species of Citrus in which the peel is divided 
into segments, with their edges covering and thus 
forming a continuous envelope, the segments of the 
peel do not tally with the segments of the carpel ball. 
How can I, therefore, believe that each peel segment is 
the outer surface of a carpel ? 
The second specimen you gave me was of common 
occurrence. The small inner orange was enveloped in 
its own peel, that is, the doubling occurred—peel 
pulp, peel pulp. This is exactly what occurs iu the 
doubling of some kinds of Narcissus. In these we 
have the doubling occurring in this fashion—calyx 
corolla, calyx corolla, calyx corolla, and so on up to 
the centre of the flower. In some cases the calyx 
retains its greenish colour throughout the series. 
The interest of the second specimen was in the small¬ 
ness of the inner Orange. Its juice vesicles were so 
small and sessile that they were almost indistinguish¬ 
able from the oil cells of the peel, the prominent 
difference being that the former had an acid taste. 
-- 
ROSEDOWN NURSERY, EAST 
DULWICH. 
The houses of Messrs. Seeger k Tropp are chiefly 
occupied with Orchids of which they are continually 
making importations. The chief display at present may 
be seen in the Cattleya houses, of which there are two. 
Cattleyas are not numerous at present, but we noted a 
beautiful piece of 0. speciosissima in bloom. The 
lanceolate sepals and elliptic petals are pale mauve, 
while the lip is characterised by the rich, dark purple 
terminal lobe. C. Triante was also in bloom, while C. 
Hennisiana was in sheath. Lselia harpophylla and 
Sophronitis grandiflora with their scarlet or cinnabar 
red flowers stood out conspicuous by contrast. 
Two good old subjects are Zygopetalum Mackayi 
and Z. criuitum. Near by, Anguloa Clowesii seemed 
happy, for it bore seven flower scapes from one pseudo¬ 
bulb. Amongst the numerous Dendrobiums were a 
number in flower including the beautiful D. fimbriatum 
oeulatum, D. Wardianum, D. Sanderianum, and D. 
nobile pendulum, besides another well-flowered piece, 
a variety of D. nobile with large and showy flowers, 
particularly so with regard to the lip. The flowers of 
D. n. pendulum, on the other hand, were richly 
coloured and showy. Some fine pieces of Oncidium 
Cavendishianum were stood about the house, and served 
to give variety at this early period of the year. The 
sepals and petals of the fragrant 0. tigrinum were 
blotched or barred with an unusually dark shade of 
brown, while the lip was of a clear yellow. 
The collection of Cypripediums is pretty extensive, 
and as is usually the case a considerable number of them 
were in bloom. C. Stonei never fails to attract by its 
large and beautifully marked flowers, and the wonder 
is that it is not more common in private collections. 
On the contrary, C. Leeanum superbum, although a 
hybrid, is now pretty plentiful. The broad dark band 
along the centre and the white margin is characteristic 
of C. villosum superbum. Here also were C. Carrieri, 
C. Crossianum, and C. barbatum Crossii; the distin¬ 
guishing feature of the latter is the broad purple band 
on the upper sepal, resembling an inverted Y. In the 
same house were some large pieces of Ccelogynecristata; 
and suspended from the roof was a flowering piece, of 
C. flaecida, witti flowers more nearly of a pure white 
than usual. 
Some other low-roofed houses were filled with large 
batches of Cypripediums and other Orchids, some newly 
imported, and others established and flowering or 
approaching this stage. Amongst others were the 
Studley House specimen of C. villosum aureum, 
exhibiting a considerable amount of waxy yellow in the 
flowers, especially the upper sepal. We noted a rather 
unusual botanical peculiarity in the lateral sepals of 
Cypripedium Liwrenceanum, for instead of being united 
as is usually the case, they were free and widely 
spreading. The flower was, however, otherwise normal 
and well coloured. 
A small house is devoted to the culture of Masde- 
vallias, but at present the greater number of that class 
of flowers are out of season. M. Peristeria was, how¬ 
ever, in bloom. It is similar in size to M. triangularis, 
but the texture of the segments conforms more to that 
of M. coriacea. The flowers are brownish yellow, and 
closely spotted all over with purple, and have yellow 
tails. In a cool house close by were some pieces of 
Odontoglossum crispum, and one of these carried a 
branching scape with numerous flowers. 
-—- 
CHINESE PRIMULAS AT FOREST 
HILL. 
As the plants in the nursery of Messrs. James Carter 
& Co. are grown solely for the seed they are 
sown late, say about the middle of July, and after 
being grown on, are finally shifted into 48-siz3 pots. 
There are close upon 6,000 plants now mostly in full 
bloom, and the different sorts are arranged in large 
batches of a colour. Some of the varieties are notable 
for their evenness of growth, so that they present a 
close and massive appearance in looking along the 
house. Three houses of varying width are filled by 
them, one of which is 150 fc. long, and each of the 
other two 60 ft. They do not last long in perfection 
when grown for seed, because all are regularly fertilised 
or brushed'over with a camel-hair pencil, and when 
the pollen has taken effect the flowers quickly drop, 
which is in itself a matter of satisfaction to the grower, 
considering the purpose in view. Those who wish to 
prolong the display must not, of course, attempt to 
save seed to any extent. 
Palm-leaved Varieties. 
The name applied to thi3 group is merely meant to 
distinguish those plants having the normal type of 
leaf from those of the Fern-leaved form. The leaves 
in the case under notice are cordate, more or less deeply 
lobed, and sometimes slightly elongated. One of the 
richest-coloured varieties in this group is Vermilion, 
having brilliant vermilion-red or intense red flowers, 
slightly tinted with violet near the eye. Improved 
Blue was obtained by crossing the old Queen or 
Tompkins’ Queen (white) with the pollen of the old 
blue variet} T . The improvement consists in the larger, 
more undulated flowers, of greater substance, and in 
the foliage being much more robust, with darker petioles. 
The flowers are a paler blue than the old variety, with 
a considerable amount of white near the eye, and a 
dark blue edge. There is more purple in the old kind, 
and the new one may be considered pretty, and much 
more robust in habit. The variety named Salmon has 
large rosy salmon flowers, with a yellow eye surrounded 
by a crimson line. Improved Carmine has been 
derived from the old Queen crossed with the pollen of 
Carmine. The flowers are of a rosy carmine, deepening 
with age, and having a white line round the eye. 
Carmine itself has somewhat paler but large flowers, 
and the trusses are thrown well above the foliage. It 
is a favourite for market purposes. The flowers of 
Holborn Magenta are of a deep magenta, with perhaps 
a shade of purple, but they are very distinct, large, 
flat, and the trusses are well thrown above the leaves. 
Holborn Blue is still grown in quantity, but is destined 
to be superseded by the improved variety, which is far 
more robust in every way. The flowers of Fawn are 
mauve, with a white lacing round the margin ; the eye 
is greenish yellow, surrounded by a white line, and is 
unusually small. Venus has white flowers, mottled 
and striped with pale purple. 
Fern-leaved Varieties. * 
The finest of all in this class is undoubtedly Elaine 
Improved. The flowers are pure white, with a golden- 
yellow angled eye ; the robust Fern foliage is deeply 
tinted with a brownish red hue, and the petioles are 
darker. There is also a plain-leaved form of Elaine. 
The old Queen, although ranking in this class, has 
remarkably short leaves, and which are wholly green. 
It appears of sturdy habit, and the flowers are large 
and pure white. Improved Ruby was derived from 
this, crossed with the pollen of Ruby. The flowers are 
large, deep rosy purple, with undulated segments, and 
the greenish yellow eye is surrounded by a crimson line. 
The leaves are very robust, with red petioles. 
Holborn Rose has paler rose flowers than Improved 
Ruby, and was derived from the same source. The 
flowers of Holborn Queen are large, much imbricated 
and somewhat undulated, but they are blush-tinted, 
and the petioles of the leaves are green, so that it differs 
from Elaine in this respect. 
Double Sorts. 
Properly speaking, the flowers of the varieties under¬ 
mentioned are semi-double only ; the centre is filled 
up by a tuft of petaloid segments from the mouth of 
the tube. The qualities that recommend them are 
that they are readily increased in any quantity from 
seeds, and the flowers are more serviceable for cutting 
purposes than the single ones, from the fact that they 
last much longer without dropping. Besides being 
easily propagated, they require no special care in their 
cultural treatment, and they flower as freely as the 
single ones. 
A pure white variety, named Snowflake, has been 
obtained by selection from Apple Blossom, a blush- 
coloured variety, with large flowers well thrown above 
the leaves. Both have leaves of the ordinary type, 
and wholly pale green. Prince of Wales has clear 
salmon-coloured flowers in large trusses, well thrown 
above the foliage, the petioles of which are red. 
The Double Blue is equally meritorious and choice in 
its way, and the leaves, as in the single variety, have 
red petioles. The deep rosy purple flowers of Double 
Purple are very distinct, and well marked in their way. 
These five may bj considered the cream of the semi¬ 
double kinds, and should not be omitted from a col¬ 
lection where cut flowers are required in quantity. 
That named Double Venus is exactly the counterpart 
of the single one, except that the flowers are semi¬ 
double. Carmine Empress has deep carmine flowers, 
and the leaves have dark petioles. None of the semi¬ 
double kinds possess fern-leaved foliage, although there 
seems no reason why the semi-double character should 
not be induced amongst that class by way of variety. 
-- 
A VOICE FROM THE BORDERS. 
Brother gardeners, can we do nothing to improve our 
position ; can we do nothing to make our monotonous 
lives brighter and more enjoyable ? What a dull and 
cheerless existence many of us lead, far removed from 
those influences that tend to make life happy and 
successful I In these go-ahead days, when the labour¬ 
ing world is astir, and pushing eagerly forward aloDg 
the path of progress, demanding more of leisure and 
less of toil—aye, and meeting with fair success, too— 
why should we not throw in our lot with the move¬ 
ment ? Is there no life, no energy amongst us? In 
Scotland we are surely dead, but unaware of the fact. 
V hat is more, perhaps, we are mere automatons, 
grinding away our lives day by day, with no bright 
prospect shining ahead to lead us on. Are we or are 
we not to run on in the old ruts our fathers made with 
such dogged perseverance? If not, then we must lift 
ourselves out of them, for none others will do it for us. 
No individual was ever successful in life who did not 
rely on his own energy for the greater part. One noble 
life influences a great many for good, and if but a few 
of us were to unite, we could accomplish a little I am 
sure. We are far too cold to one another ; every other 
profession and trade has a union of some kind, we have 
none, more’s the pity. Oh, for a Samson to rise 
amongst us who would be our champion ! How different 
it would be for us, if those whom we serve would but 
come down a little bit from their pedestal of dignity, 
and scan with a kind and sympathetic eye the 
monotonous grinding life we lead ! If they would but 
give us shorter hours and a comfortable house to live 
in, it would be something; but there are many little 
ways in which they could help us, if only there be the 
will to do it. 
If as a class we were more kindly dealt with, I am 
certain there would be fewer time and eye-servers 
amongst us than at present, and more of real enthusiasm 
for our work than now exists. The dullest and most 
heartless would catch a spark of that rare enthusiasm 
which is so common amongst amateurs, yet so thinly 
distributed throughout the large body of professional 
gardeners. 
In the midland and southern counties of Scotland 
we all hurry off to Edinburgh on the 11th of November. 
Why is this ? Is there no better way than standing 
for hours in the open street, or it may be in a cold 
nursery shed on a stormy November day, waiting 
one’s turn for a situation, and then perhaps sent off on 
a hundred miles railway journey to a place that often 
turns out to be a mockery to one’s abilities and former 
experience—all this too, be it remembered, in ninety 
per cent, of cases without a penny of remuneration for 
travelling expenses? I think it scandalous considering 
the miserable wages we often get. Can no one suggest a 
fairer and better way of making engagements ?— J. S. B. 
