December 15, 1888. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
249 
cultivation would seem to be C. Stonei, to which the 
lip, in its long claw and general outline, very closely 
corresponds. The upper sepal, too, is similarly marked 
to the standard of (J. Stonei, but is richer inasmuch as 
it is closely striped with a rich ruby-red and yellow. 
The petals are mostly purple, except at the base, 
where they are yellow and more or less spotted. It 
seems to be a slow-growing species ; but a little 
more experience with it in this country is necessary 
before we may definitely pronounce upon this 
point. 
Oncidium curtum. 
The habit of this pretty and distinct species is similar 
to that of 0. crispum, or perhaps more like the graceful 
0. prsetextum, but it is rather more sprightly or 
cheerful than either. A great quantity of flowers are 
produced on branching spikes, and at this dull season of 
the year are most attractive. The upper sepal is con¬ 
cave, yellow and banded with brown ; the petals are 
much larger, as in its allies, nearly round, of a deep 
chocolate colour spotted with yellow. The lip, as 
usual in this group, is the largest and most conspicuous 
feature of the flower, being reniform and of a bright 
golden yellow, marked at the base and apex with 
brown. It is a native of Brazil, and was introduced as 
recently as 1875, but it is still far from common in 
this country. We noticed it the other week in the 
nursery of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, where 
it was very attractive and pleasing. The cultural 
treatment required by Oncidium crispum and 0. 
praetextum will suit the present species very 
well. 
Phalzenopsis at Clapton. 
Although anything but the best time to examine the 
Phahenopsis, yet we noted a few the other week, 
together with certain peculiarities of P. amabilis, better 
known in gardens as P. grandiflora, and P. Aphrodite, 
better known as P. amabilis. The true P. amabilis is 
generally supposed to be readily distinguishable by its 
long, strap-shaped, pale’green leaves. When in flower 
it is, as a rule, readily distinguishable by the long, 
narrow, terminal lobe of the lip. P. Aphrodite is, 
however, extremely changeable, and importations come 
home having long narrow pale green leaves, resembling 
to a great extent those of P. amabilis. Other slight 
varieties have broad, rounded, or obovate leaves of a 
dark green, or more often tinted with reddish purple, 
especially beneath. Experience has shown that these 
forms with the broad rounded leaves have flowers to 
correspond in the breadth of their component parts. 
These peculiarities we noticed in the nursery of Messrs. 
Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, where the collection of 
Phahenopsis is both extensive and rich in species. The 
leaves of P. Sanderiana resemble those of P. Aphrodite. 
A beautiful little species from the Philippine and 
Sunda Islands, namely, P. amethystina, was also in 
flower. The leaves are rather stiff, oblong, from 2 ins. 
to 4 ins. in length, and bright green. The flowers are 
small but very pretty, with white or blush-coloured 
sepals and petals. The three-lobed lip has the lateral 
segments beautifully striated with rosy purple and 
white, while the middle lobe is purplo shaded with 
white and emarginate. Many species will be in flower 
in the course of a few weeks. 
Spathoglottis Viellardi. 
It is rather to be regretted that Orchids, or, indeed, 
plants of any kind should get distributed in gardens 
under names which they are not likely to retain for 
any length of time, because gardeners are so con¬ 
servative in the matter of names. Many years always 
elapse before they can be induced to alter a garden 
name for the proper one, if indeed they alter it at all. 
The Orchid under notice is certainly not yet widely 
distributed in this country ; but then it is known in 
those collections under the name of S. angustorum, 
while the above one has been given to it by Professor 
Reichenbach. Compared with the older and better 
known species it is vastly different in general appear¬ 
ance, and certainly a great improvement, and very 
similar in habit and size to S. Kimballiana. The scape 
rises to a height of 3 ft. or more, and bears at its upper 
end a raceme of flowers which may be compared to 
those of a good-sized Phalamopsis. The sepals and 
petals are rosy blush, while the three-lobed lip is parti¬ 
coloured. The lateral lobes are of a deep fulvous or 
tawny orange, while the terminal, obcordate lobe is 
rose, with a long claw or stalk. The prominent two- 
lobed crest and the disk are deep orange-yellow. The 
long-stalked leaves are strongly ribbed or plaited, and 
about a yard long, more or less proportionately to the 
size of the plant. It is now flowering at Kew. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Bouvardias. —In view of the quantity of flowers that 
will be required by Christmas, there will be an incli¬ 
nation on the part of gardeners to cut down anything 
that will yield a handful of flowers ; but those who 
depend upon cuttings for their annual supply of plants 
will do well to remember that if put in early they have 
the advantage of a whole season before them to make a 
good growth before the following autumn. A plant or 
two, according to requirements, of each variety grown 
should therefore be placed in a cool house, and gradually 
allowed to become dry. Then prune them hard back, 
and place them in a forcing pit to cause them to break 
freely. Keep them watered, and when the cuttings 
have attained a length of 2 ins. take them off and insert 
in thumb-pots, placing them in a close frame or hand- 
light. 
"Winter-flowering Begonias. —Those who are 
fortunate in possessing John Heal, Adonis, or other of 
the winter-flowering kinds, will now be enjoying a pro¬ 
fusion of bloom in bright, but by no means glaring, 
colours. The plants should always enjoy a light 
position near the glass, with ventilation on all favour¬ 
able occasions. Do not be disappointed if a series of 
dull foggy days cause the flowers to drop. In the 
course of a week—in the case of John Heal especially— 
should the weather prove bright, they will be as 
brilliant as ever. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Cinerarias. —The late batch of these useful plants 
should now be put into their flowering pots. It is no 
advantage to allow them to become stunted and pot- 
bound, otherwise they will throw up but a very weak 
or indifferent flower-stem, yielding but a small truss of 
puny flower-heads. When potted re-stage them, 
giving them the most advantageous position with 
regard to light, with ample space for the foliage 
between each plant. Liberal treatment only will 
insure the retention of large healthy leaves, covering the 
pots when in full bloom. Let it be remembered that a 
very short time is sufficient to injure the foliage 
beyond recovery, owing to its thin and membraneous 
texture, a fact which applies to all other plants of soft 
herbaceous texture. 
Plants in Flower. —As the Chrysanthemums go 
past their best have them removed from the show 
house or conservatory, and their place supplied by 
other subjects which have been grown on for the 
purpose. A sprinkling of these flowers can, however, be 
maintained for weeks to come by growing late varieties 
and by special treatment. Tree Carnations will supply 
a quantity of much appreciated flowers. Several species 
of Salvia will now prove useful, together with Eran- 
themum pulchellum, Peristrophe speciosa, Sericographis 
Ghiesbreghtii, Eupatoriums, Ageratum mexicanum 
album, Heaths, Cytisus and Coronillas. Amongst 
climbers Cestrum elegans is still in fine condition, and 
C. aurantiacum affords a welcome change in the way of 
colour. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Fruit Trees and Insects. —Now that the leaves are 
off, a vigorous search for insect enemies of all kinds 
should be made ; and while the pruning is being per¬ 
formed, any eggs or pupae that may.'be detected should 
be destroyed. Apple, Pear, and other trees affected 
with scale should have their shoots well scrubbed with 
an old and rather hard brush which is almost useless 
for painting. While so doing, the brush should just be 
kept moist with paraffin, so as to destroy not only the 
scale, but the young or eggs that may be harbouring 
beneath the old shell of the mother. Paraffin should 
also be vigorously rubbed into the crevices of the bark 
wherever any traces of the Woolly Aphis or American 
blight makes its appearance. 
Digging.—A s pyramid and standard trees in the 
squares get pruned, have the cuttings cleared away to a 
heap, where they may be burnt on some convenient 
occasion. If any vegetable crops are to be planted 
between the trees, a quantity of manure should be 
spread on the ground before digging. The latter 
operation should be performed as soon as possible, so 
that the soil may have the benefit of the winter’s frost. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
The Yineries. —Where Grapes are still hanging a 
dry atmosphere should be maintained, with a temper¬ 
ature of about 50° at night. Look over the bunches 
frequently and remove any berries that may be decaying, 
otherwise the bunches will soon be spoiled, owing to 
the continued damp mild weather. In the early 
vinery the night temperature may be raised to 55°, 
allowing a rise of 10° by day with ventilation while 
the weather continues favourable. 
Peach Houses. —The trees in the late houses should 
now be pruned without further delay, removing as 
much of the old wood which has already borne fruit as 
possible, so that what remains will cover the wirework 
at distances of 5 ins. apart. Be careful to tie all the 
main limbs of the trees, and as many of the others as 
possible, at the same angle from the stem, so that the 
tree may be maintained. If affected with scale, use a 
wireglassful of paraffin to a gallon of the mixture used 
for washing the trees. 
Cucumbers. —Remove all fruits from those bearing 
as soon as fit for use. Nothing is more exhausting to 
the plants at this dull season of the year than a heavy 
crop. Sow seeds to obtain a succession to those now 
bearing. 
-- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOWS. 
Eccles, Patricroft, Pendleton, and District. 
November 30 th and December 1st. 
This exhibition was held in the Town Hall, Eccles, 
and notwithstanding the late unfavourable season 
and advanced period of the year, was admitted to he 
one of the best held in the district. The hall was 
tastefully decorated with a number of Palms, Crotons, 
Ferns, and other decorative plants, which were kindly 
lent by Mrs. Thos. Agnew, Fairhope, Eccles ; Oliver 
Hey wood, Esq., High Sheriff, Pendleton ; and Stewart 
Garnett, Esq., Pendleton, and which gave to the hall 
a charming appearance. The groups of Chrysanthemum 
plants were very bright and fresh, and the first prize in 
this class was awarded to G. H. Leigh, Esq., Swinton 
(gardener, Mr. J. Belshaw) ; the second being taken 
by N. A. Earl, Esq., Kersal (gardener, Mr. H. J. 
Bennett). In the other classes for specimen Chry¬ 
santhemum plants N. A. Earl, Esq., secured the first 
prizes ; Frank Reddaway, Esq. (gardener, Mr. F. 
Glover), being second. For Pompons N. A. Earl, Esq., 
again took first honours, Mr. W. Russell, SwintoD,’ 
being next. For the most effective group of miscel¬ 
laneous plants Mrs. Thos. Agnew, Fairhope, Eccles 
(gardener, Mr. W. Elkin), received the first award. 
The groundwork of Maidenhair Ferns, dotted here and 
there with Dracaenas and other choice plants, made a 
pretty group. In this class N. A. Earl, Esq., received 
the second prize. For table plants Mr. John Pountain, 
Bolton, and N. A. Earl, Esq., were first and second! 
For Roman Hyacinths the first prize was given to 
Frank Reddaway, Esq., whilst Mr. W. Russell, Swinton, 
took the second. For three large pots of Poinsettias 
N. A. Earl, Esq., was again the successful winner of 
the first prize, as also for Primulas and Orchids. For 
the latter a special prize was awarded to him by the 
judges. For cut blooms the first honours were given 
to Col. Wingfield, Onslow, Shrewsbury (gardener, Mr. 
J. Lambert), who took the first prizes for eighteen cut 
blooms, twelve large incurved, twelve large Japanese, 
and twelve large blooms (six Japanese and six incurved). 
These were really splendid blooms, and came in for 
more than usual attention. Other prize winners in the 
classes for cut blooms were Mr. John Walker, Stockport; 
Nr A. Earl, Esq., Kersal; and A. Knowles, Esq.,’ 
Bolton (gardener, Mr. G. Corbell). For the best band 
and bridal bouquets Dir. John Mosley, Bolton, was 
awarded the first prize for two magnificent bouquets, 
Mr. W. Russell, Swinton, taking the second prize. 
The amateur classes were also well represented, and 
their plants and blooms were greatly admired. The 
principal prizes in these classes were awarded to Mr. 
H. Huber, Winton ; Mr. James Royles, Swinton ; Mr! 
A. B. Wimpory, Eccles ; Mr. W. Crawshaw, Rams- 
bottom ; Mr. Ch. Musker, Swinton ; Dr. Crocker, 
Eccles ; Mr. R. Johnson, Barton ; Mr. J. Smethurst! 
Winton ; Mr. R. Blundell, Monton ; Mr. James Parr, 
Barton. Blooms, plants and fruit, not for competition, 
were exhibited by the following seedsmen and nursery¬ 
men Messrs. W. Clibran & Son, Manchester and 
Altrincham, exhibited ten dozen cut Chrysanthemum 
blooms, which were of special merit. They showed also 
a good collection of Ferns, table plants, Roman 
Hyacinths, and some beautiful trusses of Pelargoniums, 
&c. Messrs. Dickson & Robinson, and Messrs. 
Dickson, Brown, and Tait, of Manchester, each 
exhibited splendid collections of table plants, Ferns, 
Roman Hyacinths, Cyclamens, Ericas, &c. Mr. W. 
Grange, of Eccles, exhibited a fine collection of table 
plants and fruits. Messrs. R. Smith & Co., Worcester, 
had on view a splendid collection of Apples and Pears, 
such as had never been seen in the district before. Mr. 
James Derbyshire, Patricroft, exhibited thirty dishes 
of Apples grown in his orchard at Barton, for which 
he was awarded a special prize. Messrs. W. Clibran & 
Son also showed some fine blooms of Chrysanthemum 
Thomas Stephenson, a distinct terra cotta-coloured 
sport from Criterion, to which the judges awarded a 
First Class Certificate. 
