October 20, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
121 
Tffl Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Cinerarias. —It is no longer safe to keep these in 
frames or pits that are unheated. A considerable 
amount of frost can be excluded by simply matting the 
frames over at nights, but the leaves are so easily 
injured that it is better to err on the safe side by 
removing them to the shelves or stages of a house where 
heat can quickly be turned on should there be any 
danger of severe frost. If the plants are well advanced, 
and intended for early work, place them in an inter¬ 
mediate house. Subject them to close scrutiny before 
removal, and if there be any green-fly on the foliage 
fumigate the whole batch. 
Chrysanthemums.— In order to retain the foliage 
as well as possible till flowering time, be careful 
not to crowd the plants more than can be helped, but 
allow plenty of ventilation and the best possible 
exposure to light. Those that have their buds well 
advanced or already expanded may be removed to the 
conservatory or show house, in order to give the others 
more room. These early varieties are generally much 
appreciated. Keep them well supplied with moisture, 
and manure water may still be given till the buds 
commence to expand. 
Primulas.— The earliest batch of Chinese Primulas 
are now well advanced and throwing up their flower- 
buds. Keep them at all times well exposed to light 
near the glass, and ventilate well to prevent the leaf¬ 
stalks getting drawn and slender. If space cannot yet 
be provided for them on the side benches of the house, 
a swing shelf may be put up over the pathway for their 
accommodation. Later batches may be kept for some 
time longerin frames that are not provided with a heating 
apparatus, but they must be well protected with mats 
at night. 
Bulbs. —If potted up when the first arrivals came to 
hand the first batch of Roman Hyacinths should now be 
sufficiently advanced to be urged onwards by gentle 
forcing. Should they be well rooted, and the foliage 
and flower-spikes advancing, they may be considered 
in good condition for forcing. All bulbs of Hyacinths, 
Narcissi and Crocus should be potted up, even for late 
batches, otherwise they will now deteriorate by pushing 
up their flower-spikes and foliage at the expense of the 
bulbs and in the absence of roots. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —The Vines in the earliest house should be 
pruned without further delay, and the whole house put 
in order by giving it a thorough cleansing, both glass 
and woodwork. A top-dressing to the border may still 
be given if considered necessary. Be very careful in 
the removal of the soil, if the roots are near the surface, 
as they ought to be to derive any benefit from feeding, 
using a fork to avoid damage, which cannot be suf¬ 
ficiently repaired before they are called upon for further 
work. Work in this new compost about the roots, and 
tread firmly. Close the house about the end of the 
month if fruit is required early, and give a thorough 
watering with water at a temperature of 85° or 90° Fahr. 
At first the house should be kept at a temperature of 
45° at night, rising to 55° with sun-heat; and this may 
be further increased as the buds advance. Houses in 
which late crops are hanging now want careful at¬ 
tention to prevent damping, keeping the atmosphere 
dry and well ventilated. Discontinue damping down 
the Muscat house, as the Grapes should now be 
thoroughly ripe. If the border be too dry to maintain 
the berries in a plump condition, one good watering 
will suffice. A night temperature of 55° will now be 
quite sufficient, and later on as the temperature outside 
sinks, that of the inside may be lowered also. By that 
time the atmosphere should be very dry. Shut the 
bottom ventilators early in the afternoon before damp 
air can get into the house. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Apples and Pears. —In ordinary seasons it would 
be time to collect and store all the late varieties of 
Apples and Pears. The severe frosts with which we were 
visited lately make this the more imperative now, and 
at the same time we are confronted with the fact that 
the fruits are still far from maturity in many instances. 
Store thinly in the fruit room, giving them more than 
ordinary attention afterwards in removing any that may 
show decay. Maintain as even a temperature as pos¬ 
sible, and avoid fluctuations: In looking over the 
trees with a view to choosing such new or old kinds 
that may be required to make up blanks, or to supplant 
old and useless trees, it is well to consider the nature of 
the soil, subsoil, exposure and altitude before ordering 
a selection of desirable kinds. Late varieties for cold 
or upland districts should always be planted on a south- 
aspect wall. The earlier sorts, that come into use 
before Christmas, may be grown as standards or 
pyramids in the open garden. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
-- 
The Walton Grange Collection. 
Those who have visited the superb collection of Orchids 
belonging to W. Thompson, Esq., Walton Grange, 
near Stone, have been gratified and well recompensed 
for their trouble, and the more so if they have been 
shown round by Mr. Stevens’ the Orchid enthusiast, 
who has had charge of the collection for so many years. 
Just now many fine species and varieties of various 
Orchids are in flower, amongst them being the beautiful 
Dendrobium longicornu majus, a pretty and distinct 
species in the way of D. formosum, but not so strong in 
growth. The flowers are not so large either, but are 
pure white, with a yellow dental lip. It lasts a very 
long time in bloom, for the same flowers are now in 
good condition that were open the first week in August. 
This is a great recommendation to it. Many grand 
forms of Odontoglossum Alexandra are likewise in 
flower, and a branched spike of sixty-three blooms will 
soon be open. This may astonish many, but here it is 
on a strong well-grown plant. Many 0. 'Peseatorei are 
also in flower, and of Masdevallias several of the Chimasra 
type are nicely flowered. Mr. Stevens also has some very 
interesting hybrids of Masdevallias, which will soon 
reveal to him what they are. From their parentage 
they ought to produce something good, and we trust it 
may be so. The curious but interesting Restrepia 
antennifera is represented by a well-grown plant of 
many flowers ; Odontoglossumjgrande is well done also, 
Mr. Stevens was a long time before he could grow the 
latter to his satisfaction, but that he has succeeded 
no one can doubt, when they see the magnificent strong 
bulbs it has made, sufficiently strong to carry two 
fine spikes of enormous flowers from one bulb. These 
were grown on a shelf in the intermediate house, and 
this is undoubtedly the way to grow this Orchid. He 
also succeeds well with Oncidium Jonesianum, many fine 
plants flowering freely, and growing in the same house 
as the Cypripediums, of which many were in full bloom. 
C. Spicerianum is represented by several twin flowers. In 
the same house is a superb variety of Vanda Sanderiana 
also nicely in flower. The innumerable spikes and 
sheaths showing upon the Lselias and Cattleyas speak 
well for a future display. The same may be said of 
the Odontoglossums and Oncidiums. Amongst the 
latter fine strong spikes of 0. macranthum attract 
one’s attention. Mr. Thompson has many hundreds of 
well-grown Odontoglossums, and at all seasons of the year 
something of interest is to be found in a collection so 
practically handled as this is by Mr. Stevens. — Rusticus. 
New Rockery at Chelsea. 
One of the houses in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch & 
Sons, at Chelsea, has been converted into a show house 
for Orchids. It is square, or nearly so, and occupies a 
central position, abutting on and opening into a number 
of others. Rockwork, consisting of Derbyshire tufa, is 
being constructed all round the sides, and a dripping 
well occupies the centre. It was nearly completed when 
we saw it the other week, and was gaily decorated with 
Orchids. Parts of it are filled with soil, and planted 
with Ferns, Begonias, and Ficus repens minima. From 
an elevated and rugged column a little to one side'of the 
well, a broken stream of water trickles over a projecting 
ledge. The tufa being very porous is admirably 
adapted for the purpose. Pockets or cavities are left 
here and there for the reception of Orchids in flower, 
together with the pot or basket containing them. 
Amongst those in flower at present are Oncidium 
ornithorhynchum, 0. tigrinum, 0. crispum, Vanda 
coerulea, Cattleya bicolor, Laelia elegans Stelzneriana, 
L. e. alba, L. Rothschildiana, and Cattleya por- 
phyrophlcebia, the latter having rosy sepals and petals, 
with a white lip tinted with rose at the tip and on the 
tube. A very fine piece of Aerides suavissimum 
surmounted the highest part of the dripping well, in 
the centre of which its sprays hung gracefully about. 
The yellow labellum contrasts beautifully with the 
rose-coloured sepals and petals. A large basket plant 
of Ccelogyne Massangeana hung from the roof, showing 
off its long pendent spikes of white, brown, and yellow 
flowers very conspicuously. Many pieces of the new 
autumn-flowering Cattleya Bowringiana stood about 
the house, bearing from twelve to fourteen flowers on a 
spike. The sepals are rose-coloured, the petals broader 
and darker, while the lip is of a very rich dark purple, 
with the paler tube rolled over the column. 
Vanda ccerulea. 
This is one of the most beautiful Orchids in cultiva¬ 
tion, and flowering at this season of the year makes it 
all the more welcome. A very fine example of good 
cultivation is at present in flower in one of the houses 
at Keele Hall, Staffordshire. A dense raceme of ten 
fine bold flowers nearly 5 ins. in diameter on a spike 
is grand. The flowers of this variety are bold and well 
shaped, of fine form and substance, and most beauti¬ 
fully mottled with deep blue, more so than is generally 
the case. This plant succeeds well under Mr. Wallis’ 
treatment. Generally speaking, we find it grown in 
too much heat, which it does not require, as it comes 
from the Khasya Mountains, and during the growing 
season delights in plenty of water. — Rusticus. 
Cattleya Dowiana. 
A very fine form of this is now flowering at Gunners- 
bury Park, Acton. Mr. Roberts states that he 
received it from Messrs. F. Sander & Co. as a very 
distinct variety, and it is remarkable for the size of the 
blossoms, the massive proportions of the lip, its 
exquisite golden venation, and broad purple margin. 
— R . D. 
-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
'♦* 
Crystal Palace. —October 11 th to V6tTi. 
The autumn fruit show, held on the dates named, and 
with which was associated a meeting of fruit growers, 
called with the object of establishing a British Fruit 
Growers’ Association, was of a much more successful 
character than, considering the unfavourable nature of 
the season, could have reasonably been anticipated. 
The display of Apples was especially good, much 
superior to that of Pears, while the show of vegetables 
was everything that could be desired—the cold wet 
season notwithstanding—and, in our opinion, was the 
special feature of the exhibition. The Turner Memorial 
prizes, for twelve distinct dishes, brought about a 
competition of the keenest character, and a display of 
unrivalled excellence. For the first prize the contest 
between Mr. C. J. Waite, of Glenhurst, Esher, and Mr. 
Lambert, gardener to Colonel Wingfield, Onslow Hall, 
Shrewsbury, was exceedingly close, and the first- 
named exhibitor only secured the premier position with 
a few points to spare. He had samples of Cardoons, 
Chancellor Potatos, Parsnips, Early Silver Ball Turnips, 
Tomatos, Autumn Giant Cauliflowers, Rousham Park 
Onions, Intermediate Carrots, Prizetaker Leeks, 
Wroxton Brussels Sprouts, and Cucumbers, and need¬ 
less to say every dish was perfect of its kind. Mr. 
Lambert’s collection contained perhaps larger samples 
all round, and his examples of the Autumn Giant 
Cauliflower, Major Clarke’s Solid Red Celery, Globe 
Artichokes, Edgcote Purple Potatos, and Duke of 
Albany Peas were superb. Mr. Pope, Highclere Castle 
Gardens, was a good third. There was a fine competi¬ 
tion also in a class for the best collection, not more 
than four dishes of any kind, each of the bulky lots 
staged being of the most meritorious character. The 
awards were made as follows :—First, Mr. Waterman, 
gardener to H. A. Brassey, Esq., Preston Hall; second, 
Mr. T. A. Beckett, Penn, Amersham ; third, Mr. J. 
Neighbour, gardener, Bickley Park ; and fourth, Mr. 
W. Mist, Ightham. In another competition Mr. Pope 
came in first, and Mr. Lambert second ; and for 
Messrs. Sutton’s prizes, Mr. T. A. Beckett came in 
first. 
The Veitch Memorial Prize for a collection of dessert 
fruits was won by Mr. Goodacre, Elvaston Hall, with 
very fine Muscat of Alexandria, Gros Maroc, and Gros 
Colmar Grapes ; Princess of Wales Peaches, specially 
fine ; Pines, Melons, Plums, Apples, Pears, Figs, 
Currants, Gooseberries, Nuts, &c. Mr. Platt, Longleat, 
was second, his piece de resistance, being a dish of 
superbly ripened Muscats, Third, Mr. A. Evans, 
Lythe Hill, Haslemere ; and fourth, Mr. J. W. Reed, 
gardener at Broadwater, Oatlands Park. Contrary to the 
usual rule, the best prize for a collection of kitchen 
and dessert Apples this time went to Hereford instead 
of to Kent, the first and second awards being made to 
Mr. J. Cranston, of King’s Acre, and Mr. J. Watkins, of 
Withington, and the third only going to Kent, as repre¬ 
sented by Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co. Each and all were 
worthy of high praise, but undoubtedly a remarkably 
fine dish of Alexander, in the Maidstone collection, was 
the most conspicuous sample in the show. The best 
Pears came from Mr. Butler, of Sittingbourne ; and 
among the miscellaneous contributions specially worthy 
of mention were a collection of eighteen sorts of Apples, 
a very fine selection, from Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., 
and a most interesting collection of Apples, grown on 
the English Paradise stock, by Messrs. John Laing & 
Sons. In this department also Messrs. Sutton & Sons 
contributed a fine selection of Potatos, including several 
seedlings under numbers, of a most promising character. 
The arrangements of Mr. Head, as usual, gave the 
utmost satisfaction, and the exhibition was well 
attended. 
