466 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
March 21, 1891. 
Dative habitats at Moulmein, it grows on hare rocks, 
where it is deluged with rain at certain seasons, and at 
others so subjected to drought as to cause it to lose all 
its leaves. It is no doubt owing in part to this peculi¬ 
arity that cultivators in this country find it so difficult 
to manage. The sepals and petals are white, suffused 
with rose, while the lip is of a deep rosy purple. 
Structurally the flowers present a striking peculiarity in 
the remarkable development of the column into a long 
beak. There is a beautiful coloured illustration of it in 
the English edition of the Lindenia, plate 272. Several 
plants in flower are represented as growing upon the 
mossy branch of a tree. 
Lycaste Skinneri alba. 
"We noted a fine form of this in the collection of Messt’3. 
Charlesworth, Shuttleworth k Co., at Park Road, 
Clapham. Six buds have been opening in succession 
for some time past from one pseuio-bulb. One flower 
which was measured, was 6 ins. across the lateral 
sepals, and 5§ ins. from the tip of the upper one to the 
tip of each lateral one. It is needless to say, all parts 
of the flower were of great substance, and the sepals 
stood out rigidly and at right angles to the other parts 
of the flower. All were pure white, and the crest, 
which is usually the lest to part with its colour, only 
exhibited a slight creamy tint, and in no way intruded 
itself upon the eye. The piece was a small one in a 
pot, but would certainly present a striking appearance 
if it had half-a-dozen flowers open at one time. 
Varieties of Cypripedium Boxalli. 
C. Boxalli is distinguished from C. villosum—of which 
it is considered a variety—by the upper sepals and 
the petals being narrower at the base and revolute at 
the margins, a circumstance which has the effect of 
somewhat reducing the area of those organs. IVe 
noted a fine form of C. B. atratum the other day in 
the nursery of Messrs. Charlesworth, Shuttleworth k 
Co., 213, Park Road, Clapham. The flowers were of 
great size, and the upper sepal was nearly covered with 
blackish purple blotches, which were confluent on the 
upper portion of that organ ; the margin was broad and 
white. The petals were obovate, and deep shining 
brown on the upper longitudinal half. The lip was 
yellowish, and suffused with light brown in front. In 
the same house was a flowering piece of C. Boxalli 
superbum, having much darker and more richly 
coloured flowers than the above. The blackish purple 
of the upper sepal was almost continuous, with a few 
small greenish blotches here and there through it. The 
upper longitudinal half of the petals and the lront of 
the lip were also several shades darker than in C. B. 
atratum ; and the margins and lower longitudinal 
half of the petals were of a clearer yellow. C. Boxalli 
itself was in flower, showing of): by contrast the great 
difference between it and the varieties in the matter of 
colour. 
-—- 
SOCIETIES. 
Hawick Horticultural Improvement Association.— 
The usual monthly meeting was held on the 6th inst., 
Mr. Wood, Summerfield Nurseries, vice-president, in 
the chair. The paper read was by Mr. Page, gardener 
to the Marquis of LothiaD, K.T., Monteviot, Jedburgh, 
who took for his subject, “The Ordinary Preparation 
of Ground, and Cropping of the Kitchen Garden.’’ 
Mr. Page dealt first with the composition of the 
different soils to be met with in gardens, and more 
especially the one he was immediately connected 
with, which, when taken in hand, was a very red 
muirland from 9 ins. to 2 ft. in depth, but in which, 
under the treatment he described, he could now grow 
vegetables of very fine quality. He strongly advocated 
trenching and ridging to be done as early as possible ; 
but was against the practice' of bringing the subsoil to 
the surface. He then dwelt at length on the sowing of 
seeds and cropping of the gaiden. He could never get 
Carrots to do successfully until he started to sow them 
early in February, but by doing so he found that they 
withstood the ravages of the grub, which, as a rule, 
attacks the Carrot in.July ; this led to much discussion, 
but Mr. Page explained that he had never missed a 
crop since he commenced to sow early, fyie paper was 
favourably criticised by members present, and Mr. Page 
received a vote of thanks. The following exhibits were 
on the table :—From Mr. Johnstone, gardener, Siller- 
bithall, a fine collection of vegetables, noticeable among 
which was a fine lot of Tomatos ; from Mr. Forbes, 
Buccleuch Nursery, a very fine white Cyclamen ; from 
Mr, Wood, Summerfield Nurseries, three blooms of 
Camellia anemomeflora alba, which were of enormous 
size, and formed not unlike a large double Begonia. A 
hearty vote of thanks to exhibitors and chairman 
brought an agreeable meeting to a close. 
Royal Botanic, March 18 th. —The first spring exhi¬ 
bition of this society seemed fully up to the mark of 
former years, especially in the quantities of forced 
flowers, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, and hardy flowers. 
The first prize for greenhouse Azaleas in the amateurs’ 
class was awarded to Mr. H. Eason, gardener to B. 
Noakes, Esq., Highgate. The plants were the most 
shapely of any, but not so well flowered as they might 
have been. The first prize for Deutzias was taken by 
Mr. J. Douglas, gardener to Mrs. Whitbourne, Great 
Gearies, Ilford ; Mr. H. Eason was second. A first 
prize for Roses was awarded to Messrs. Paul & Son ; 
Celine Forestier was very well flowered. They 
also had the best Amaryllis, which, however, ■ were 
very tall ; Mr. J. Douglas was "second. The first 
prize for bulbous plants was awarded to Mr. T. S. 
Ware, Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham. Messrs. 
Paul & Son, Cheshunt, took the prize for hardy 
herbaceous plants. Mr. W. B. Morle, 283, Regent 
Street, had the best Lily of the Valley. There were 
three entries for Crocuses, and the first award was made 
to Mr. R. Soott, gardener to Miss Foster, The Holme, 
Regent’s Park. The first prizes for Hyacinths and 
Tulips in the nurserymen’s class went to Messrs. 
Henry Williams & Sons, Fortis Green, Finchley. Mr. 
J. Douglas had the best Hyacinths and Tulips in the 
amateurs’ classes and the best Narcissi in the open 
class. The Tulips were good samples and the Narcissi 
very dwarf. The first prizes, both in the open and 
amateurs’ class, for twelve pots of Cyclamen were 
awarded to Mr. D. Phillips, Langley Broom, 
Slough. The plants were very profusely flowered. 
In the miscellaneous class, a collection of Daffodils, 
Anemones, Primulas, Scillas, and other hardy spring 
bulbs was shown by Mr. T. S. Ware ; Cyclamens and 
Chinese Primulas were shown by Messrs. Hugh Low k 
Co., Clapton, as well as a large group of greenhouse 
plants and Orchids. A collection of Apples and Pears 
in fine preservation was also shown by Messrs. George 
Bunyard & Co., Maidstone. Daffodils, Anemone 
fulgens, Sisyrinchium and other spring flowers were 
shown by Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden. A 
group of Hyacinths, Tulips, and Lily of the Valley was 
exhibited by Mr. S. Phippen, Reading. A large 
group of Hyacinths, Tulips, and Azaleas was shown 
by Messrs. H. Williams & Sons. A group of dwarf 
and large - flowered Cinerarias came from Mr. 
W. James, Woodside, Farnham Royal, Palms, 
Olivias, Azileas and Orchids were staged by Messrs. 
J. Laing k Sons, Forest Hill. Messrs. Paul & 
Son exhibited a collection of Roses in pots. Some 
well-flowered Heaths and varieties of Epacris were 
shown by Messrs. W. Cutbush & Son, Highgate. The 
St. George’s Nursery Co,, Hanwell, staged a group of 
Cyclamens ; and Messrs. Wm. Paul & Son, IValtham 
Cross, had a collection of Camellias. Messrs. B. S. 
Williams & Son, Upper Holloway, occupied a con¬ 
siderable length of staging with Hyacinths, Tulips, 
Narcissi, Lily of the Valley, Lilacs, and Olivias, the 
latter being both conspicuous and showy. 
-- 
We regret to record the death, at the Calcot Nurseries, 
Bicton’s Heath, near Shrewsbury, on the 11th inst., 
of Mr. John Wilson, aged 86 years. Mr. Wilson, who^ 
was a native of the south of Scotland, was better 
known to an older generation of gardeners than the 
present. Some thirty years ago he was gardener to 
Lady Goldsmid at Brighton, and afterwards for a short 
time had charge of one of the large London squares in 
the W.C. district, subsequently becoming proprietor of 
the Calcot Nurseries, whereat the kindly, much- 
respected old gentleman peacefully ended his days. 
-- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Cow Manure and BloOd. — Picotee : It is a waste of good 
fertilising material to add blood to cow manure, unless you can 
use it quickly, because the blood soon decays and loses much of 
the nitrogen and numerous salts which it contains. The sooner 
you can use the cow manure “about eighteen months old ” the 
better, as it is only daily losing in value. You should mix the 
blood with dry earth, so as to form a compost for use as a top¬ 
dressing ; but do not keep it long. 
Flower-bed Design.- Effective Bedding: There should be 
nothing incongruous about the design as you propose to make 
and fUl it. The Pelargonium you mention is a dwarf one, and you 
should use moderate-siijed plants, particularly near the margins 
the circles, so as to bring out the Iresine rather prominently, 
and make the dividing lines evident even after the plants have 
been growing some time. In the angles between the three circles, 
and right in the centre of the bed, we should place a Cordyline, 
Dracaena, Yucca, or some other graceful-leaved plant of that 
nature to relieve the monotony. If the bed is of large size, we 
should also put centre plants of smaller size in each of the three 
circles marked No. 1. In the spaces indicated by figure 3, you 
may use Cerastium tomentosum, but a mixture of Mangle’s 
Silver Pelargonium and blue Violas would also give a good 
effect, provided the bed is of largfe size. Unless this is the case, 
however, we should not complicate the design, but make it as 
simple as possible. Flower of Spring Pelargonium, either by 
itself or mixed with Verbena venosa would answer well ; but tho 
Pelargonium would be sufficient if the bed is small, in fact we 
should prefer it to Cerastium tomentosum. 
Hybrid Aquilegias. — Columbine : The varieties of Aquilegia 
vulgaris which have been cultivated in gardens for many years 
have been obtained by seed raising and the selection of the finer 
and more distinct forms which made their appearance amongst 
the seedlings. The hybrid Columbines we hear spoken of in 
gardens are more recent productions obtained by hybridising A. 
chrysantha, A. coerulea, A. formosa and others with one another; 
the hybrids so produced are again crossed with one another, 
and the resultant progeny are spoken of by gardeners and others 
under the designation of hybrid Columbines. 
Lawn Sand.— T. : It is applied in the same way as a top- 
dressing of nitrate of soda or similar manure, and is effectual in 
killing broad-leaved weeds, and making the grass grow. 
Questions about Plants. — Flos: The Tulip Tree flowers 
about mid-summer, therefore it cannot be referred to in the 
passage you mention. The Virginian IV itch-hazel flowers in 
autumn and winter, according to the state of the weather, but 
it matters little whether the sun shines or not, provided the 
weather is mild enough. Magnolia grandiflora and its varieties 
flower so late in autumn when grown as standards that the 
blooms often get destroyed by frost. Perhaps the writer 
referred to M. grandiflora angustifolia ; but we should not say it 
waited for the sun to shine before opening. Calamus viminalis, 
C. rudentum, C. verus, C. Rotang and others grow to a height 
of 50 ft. to 100 ft. or more, as they scramble up amongst trees. 
They do not affect any particular kind. Amongst the Aroids 
are species that climb to a great height on trees. These are 
Philodendron giganteum, P. erubescens, P. serpens, P. brevi 
laminatum, P. recurvifolium, and many others, also Pothos 
celatocaulis, P. Seemanni, <Sc. The species of Glycine are, with 
one exception, decumbent or twining herbs, with pinnate leaves 
and yellow or violet pea-shaped flowers. The Oleander has 
lanceolate, evergreen leaves in whorls of three, and terminal 
cymes of rose, pink, white or yellowish funnel-shaped flowers, 
the corolla being in one piece. We have never seen a scarlet 
Auricula, but there are plenty of red and crimson ones. 
Buidlea globosa has dark orange-coloured flowers ; it has no 
popular name. Some of the garden varieties of Lantana have 
bright orange flowers. There are brighter ones, but they must be 
described as cinnabar or cinnabar-red rather than orange. The 
Shepherd’s Purse may be found in the shrubberies of the 
squares; the Hedge Mustard on ruins, where there are any; 
the Goosefoot in waste places generally where allowed to grow. 
The Orache is Atriplex hortensis, a cultivated plant that may 
sometimes be found in waste places as an escape from gardens, 
or coming up as a weed in gardens themselves. 
Woodlice in Mushroom House. — TV. Davis: Lay some pieces 
of dirty old boards (clean ones will not do) on the bed and i^ath- 
way and examine them every morning, sweeping all that may 
De found underneath into a pail of water. You might also pour 
scalding hot water between the beds and the wall, and so get 
rid of many that way. The dirty board is. the best trap. 
Communications Received. —W. J. N.—G. F.—R. & S.— 
T., Nottingham—W. C.—A. M. fnot up to our standard; too 
irregular in the number of metric feet)—H. J. V.—J. W. B.— 
R. P.—J. C. & Co.—D. S.—C. T.—T. B.—T. D. H.—J. L.— W. D. 
- — 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
TV. & J. Birke.s-head, Sale, Manchester.—Ferns and Selagi- 
nellas. 
Little & Ballantyxe, Carlisle.— Catalogue of Farm Seeds, 
Charles Sharpe & Co,, Sleaford, Lincolnshire.— Farm Seeds 
and Seed Corn. 
J. Cheal & Soxs, Crawley, Susses —Spring Catalogue of 
Dahlias. 
Hexry Bp.ooke, Durham.—Vegetable and Flower Seeds. 
Prize Pansies, and Bedding Plants. 
A M. C. Joxgkindt Coninck, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, 
Holland.—Wholesale Trade List of Hardy Trees and Shrubs, &c. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
March 16 th. 
Messrs. Hurst k Sox, 152, Houndsditcti, and 39, 
Seed Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report owing to recent 
wintry weather trade in Agricultural Seeds is slow. 
Trefoil offers on easier terms, and finest grades of 
English Clovers are lower. Foreign Red, White, and 
Alsike steady. Ryegrasses unchanged. 
--»$«-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
March 18 th. 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Artichokes, Globe,doz. 3 0 6 0 
Asparagus ... .per 100 S 0 13 0 
Beans, French, per lb. 2 6 3 0 
Beet .per dozen 2 0 3 0 
Brussels Sprouts, lb. 0 0 
Cabbages_per doz. 2 0 4 0 
Carrots ... .per bunch 0 6 
Cauliflowers, English, 
per dozen 40 SO 
Celery .... per bundle 2 6 
Cucumbers ....each 0 9 10 
Endive, French, doz. 3 6 4 0 
s.d. s.d. 
Herbs .... per bunch 0 2 0 4 
Horse Radisll, bundle 3 0 5 0 
Lettuces ..per dozen 30 40 
Mushrooms, p. basket 13 2 0 
Onions .... per bushel 5 0 6 0 
Parsley.... per bunch 0 0 
Radishes ..per dozen 1 6 
Sea Kale.. per punnet 2 6 3 0 
Smallsaladmg,punnet 0 4 
Spinach, per strike ..30 
Tomatos .... per lb. 1 0 14 
Turnips ....perbnn. 0 6 
Potatos. —Kent Regents, SOs. to 100s. per ton ; Kent Kidneys, 
80s. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per ton. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s. d. s.d. ] 
Apples .. per J-sieve 16 6 0 
Cherries. 1-sievo 
Currant, black, jsieva 
— red .4-sieve 
Grapes .......per lb, 2 0 4 0 
s. d. s.d. 
Kent Cobs ...100lbs. 40 0 
Nova Scotia Apples IS 0 30 Q 
Pine-apples, Eng., lb, 
— 8t. Michaels, each 2 6 0 <S 
Plums .... per J sifivp 
