632 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 1, 1889. 
ORCHID NOT ES AND G LEANINGS. 
Miltonia vexillaria Suspended from the Roof. 
One is so accustomed to see this plant grown in masses 
on stages, even by good cultivators who grow it largely, 
that the idea might exist that no other method of 
culture would be suitable. Mr. Wythes, at Syon 
House, Brentford, grows his plants in pots suspended 
from the roof of the house, and that success may be 
attained under this system of treatment the plants 
themselves amply testify by the healthiness of the 
foliage and the size and number of the flowers. The 
plants were comparatively small, or rather consisted of 
few crowns, but each pseudo-bulb carried two spikes 
with eight blooms on each. 
Cypripedium barbatum grandiflorum. 
This is generally regarded by competent authorities as 
one of the best forms of C. barbatum ; and if anyone 
were to see the grand batch of plants in bloom at Syon 
House, as we saw it, they would be pretty well 
satisfied about the merits of the variety. Judging 
from appearances, there might have been 100 plants 
in the batch, bearing many hundreds of blooms, 
although a large quantity had been cut. The standard 
was large and round, similar both in dimensions and 
colour to that of good forms of C. Lawrenceanum, 
being variegated, with green lines at the base, and 
purple upwards on a white ground. The pouch was 
something remarkable in size for the species, and deep 
purple, almost black. There are numerous colour 
varieties of this species in cultivation, and as notified, 
the distinction of this one consists in the size and 
colour. 
Dendrobium tortile, 
A well-grown plant of this, such as we saw at Syon 
House, the other day, is a pretty object, not¬ 
withstanding the comparatively pale hues of the 
blooms. It was suspended from the roof in a pot, and 
had numerous erect, somewhat flattened but stout and 
pale-coloured pseudo-bulbs, which bore a number of 
flowers of good size. The sepals and petals were rose 
coloured and twisted, while the deeply-hooded lip was 
creamy white, veined with purple at the base. 
Cattleyas and L/Elias from Arddarroch. 
There has been an excellent display of these for some 
time past in the collection of R. B. White, Esq., 
Arddarroch, Gserlochhead, Dumbartonshire, and Mr. 
R. C. Fraser, his gardener, in writing to us, says 
there are still about 500 blooms in the house, although 
they are going out of season. Some splendid blooms 
were sent us, including a form of Lfelia purpurata that 
measured 9 ins. across the petals, which were of great 
width and pure white, with the exception of a few pale 
purple veins near the apex. The lip was unusually dark 
purple. L. p. Bryseana had the sepals and petals 
flushed with pale rosy purple, while the lip had a 
crimson-purple lamina, with a pale tip. White’s 
variety of this species is a very fine one, and of great 
size. The sepals are nearly white, the petals blush, 
and the tube of the lip rose with darker veins, while 
the lamina is a very dark purple. Cattleya Mendelii 
gigantea has, as its name implies, flowers of great size 
and high-class quality. The sepals and petals are 
white, with a faint blush tint, and the margins of the 
latter, together with the edge of the lip, are much 
undulated and crisped. The blade of the lip alone is 
about 2| ins. long, while the auricles or side-lobes are 
white, and the rest a deep rosy purple. C. M. Mrs. 
Brooman White is another very fine variety, having 
sepals and petals of a soft lilac-pink, the latter being 
also furnished with a purple blotch near the apex. 
The crimson-purple lamina of the lip is finely fringed. 
The sepals, petals and tube of the lip of C. Mossiie 
Horsmanii are of a rich warm rose, and the lamina of 
the lip is heavily crisped. 
Oncidium sphacelatum. 
This old Oncidium is deserving of more attention and 
a better position in Orchid houses than usually falls to 
its lot; often have I seen it standing in some out of 
the way corner away from the hand of the cultivator, 
and only receiving the most meagre attention. 
Happily, it has a robust constitution, and the effect of 
this hard treatment does not show itself so rapidly as 
in more delicate species. On the other hand, where 
the plant is appreciated and receives its fair portion of 
attention, how marvellous are the results ! I recently 
saw two medium-sized plants in baskets suspended from 
the roof of the conservatory at Dunstall Hall (Mr. 
Coulson, gardener) ; each plant was carrying seventeen 
racemes. One had an aggregate of 636 fully-expanded 
flowers, the other 629. When arranged amongst other 
Orchids it gives a pleasing effect to the whole.— 
J. McNab. 
-- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Caladiums. —The leaves of these have now attained 
considerable size, and their durability will greatly 
depend upon the treatment they now receive. Plenty 
of room must be afforded, so that the leaves may not 
become crowded. In the early stages a high tem¬ 
perature and a moist atmosphere are necessary to bring 
them on ; but more ventilation and a better exposure 
to light must now be given, otherwise the foliage will 
be badly coloured and thin in substance, rendering them 
unable to withstand the dry atmosphere of the show 
room or exhibition tent, where they are designed for 
that purpose. The same holds good if they are intended 
for conservatory decoration. While ventilating freely, 
the floor and stages of the house must be well damped 
down. 
Clerodexdrons, Allajiandas, &c. —As soon as 
the flower buds begin to show themselves on these and 
other stove or greenhouse flowering plants—including 
Dipladenias and Vinca rosea—they will be much bene¬ 
fited by applications of weak liquid manure. If 
stimulated previous to this, while still making vege¬ 
tative growth, it would tend to make them coarse by a 
large development of wood and leaves at the expense of 
the flowers, which will accordingly be scanty. As in 
the case of most flowering plants, they will benefit by 
being well exposed to the sun. Damp down and 
ventilate freely at the same time. Bougainvillea glabra 
also enjoys plenty of exposure and an abundance of air. 
The bracts are more freely developed and last longer if 
kept in a cool or intermediate house. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Azaleas. —The earlier-forced batches of both the 
Indian and A. mollis type will now have completed 
their growth, and if not already done, have them 
moved into cool houses or pits, where plenty of venti¬ 
lation may be given, so as to gradually harden the 
shoots and foliage preparatory to standing the plants 
out of doors to ripen their wood and set their buds for 
early winter forcing. Those that are naturally inclined 
to flower early should be used in preference to the later 
kinds, because they require very little stimulation to 
get them into flower. Several of the white kinds, 
including A. indica alba and A. narcissiflora are very 
suitable for this purpose. 
Heliotrope. —Cuttings may be struck if small 
plants are desired for table or winter work late in the 
season or winter. A stock of the best plants selected 
from those intended to be bedded out, may now be 
taken and potted on for summer work. In order to 
render them dwarf and bushy pinch out the point and 
stimulate them to make a free growth, and later on 
when the older parts of the stem are getting hard they 
will flower freely. President Garfield is a large-flowered 
and dark variety, while Mina is pale, and White Lady, 
white. All are highly fragrant. 
Fuchsias. —Young plants may be brought on by 
shutting up the house early, and syringing or damping 
down heavily. In fact, a heavy syringing overhead 
they very much enjoy, even when in bud or flower. 
This, of course, should be done late in the afternoon or 
just before leaving off work. Old plants that are now 
well advanced may be stood in the open air after being 
well hardened off, if the intention is to retard them. 
They will make short-jointed wood, and consequently 
a close arrangement of the flowers. Just as the buds 
are about to expand they may be taken to the green¬ 
house or conservatory, where they will make a fine 
display. They will continue to produce an abundance 
of flowers during the greater part of the season if they 
are properly attended to in the matter of moisture and 
ventilation both night and day. 
THE FRUIT HOUSES. 
Vineries. —Muscats must now be kept pretty warm, 
shutting up early in the afternoon, when the tem¬ 
perature may be allowed to run up to 90° with sun heat. 
A little fire-heat at night will still be necessary in order 
to keep up the temperature to 70°. Of course, in 
the very earliest house, where the berries are now colour¬ 
ing, or soon will be, less moisture will be required 
than where the berries are merely swelling. More air 
should also be given when they are colouring, and this 
will considerably improve their flavour. In those 
houses where the berries have now commenced to swell 
the whole should be gone over, removing all small or 
badly-placed ones. After attaining some size they 
should not be interfered with, because the skin of white 
varieties is so easily injured. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
The mildness of the weather and the suitable condition 
of the soil will now offer great temptations to commence 
bedding out. Gardeners had better be reminded, how¬ 
ever, that all danger of late frosts is not yet over, as 
the injured leaves of the Walnut trees recently showed. 
What is to be chiefly avoided, however, is the planting 
of such tender things as Dahlias, Heliotropes, and 
Nasturtiums. The Hyacinths used in spring bedding 
have now been out of flower for some time in all the 
southern counties, and the Tulips are all but done for, 
with the exception of a few late doubles. These, then, 
together with Crocus and Narcissi, may be lifted and 
laid in thickly in the reserve garden. Dig and other¬ 
wise prepare the beds ready for their summer occupants. 
Calceolarias, Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Lobelias, Pansies, 
Alyssum, Cotyledons (Echeverias), and similar subjects 
may be planted without further delay, provided they 
have been properly hardened off. 
-->2*-- 
GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
The Covent Garden F£te. 
“ An unqualified success,” was the general verdict when 
the doors of the great Wholesale Flower Market were 
closed after the fete held on the Wednesday Dight of 
last week. It was indeed a glorious display of flowers 
and foliage, and will be long remembered by those who 
saw the gaily-dressed market for the first time, and will 
be looked back to with pleasure even by the growers 
and standholders themselves, as by far the finest display 
made by them. As to the quality of the plants, 
perhaps there was little or no improvement to record 
over those put up last year ; we should, indeed, be 
surprised if there were, but in the matter of grouping 
and arrangement there was a marked advance, for this 
time every grower made a point of arranging his wares 
in the most artistic way that the limited space and 
circumstances of position allowed, so that the general 
effect was greatly enhanced, and unstinted praise was 
bestowed all round by the visitors. 
The opening ceremony took place at 8.15 p.m., when 
the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, accompanied by her 
husband, Mr. Burdett-Coutts, and numerous friends, 
were received by Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bart, M.P., the 
president of the fund, Lady Goldsmid, Mr. George 
Deal, chairman of the committee, Mr. A. F. Barron, 
honorary secretary, and the members of the fete 
committee. When the reserved enclosure was reached, 
Mr. Deal read the following address :— 
“The committee and subscribers of the Gardeners’ 
Orphan Fund desire to express the very great pleasure 
they have in welcoming your ladyship and Mr. Burdett- 
Coutts on this occasion, and to thank you for the 
honour conferred upon them by so kindly consenting 
to open this Feast of Flowers so generously provided 
by the market growers, and held in this spacious 
building through the kindness of His Grace the Duke 
of Bedford. 
“ The deep interest which your ladyship has at all 
times taken in good and charitable works is too well 
known to require comment. Your noble deeds are 
shown in the improved condition and increased welfare 
of large classes of the community, and have caused 
your name to become a household word throughout the 
length and breadth of the land. 
“The Gardeners’ Orphan Fund was established in 
1887, in commemoration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee, its 
object being to afford maintenance and education to 
the orphan children of gardeners. The generous 
support it received enabled all the candidates at the first 
election (eleven in number) to be placed on the benefits 
of the fund, but the committee regrets that at the 
ensuing election, in July next, five only out of the 
fourteen candidates can be elected. 
“In again thanking your ladyship for the honour 
conferred, the committee begs to express the hope that 
you may long be spared to continue the life of charity 
and benevolence with which your name has been so 
intimately and honourably associated.” 
The Baroness then declared the fete open, and ex¬ 
pressed her pleasure at being able to be present 
among all the lovely flowers, and her warm sympathy 
with the object for which the fete was held. By this 
time a large number of ticket-holders had assembled in 
the huge building ; Mr. Charles Godfrey’s fine band 
