June 29, 188 9. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
691 
Oncidium crispum, 0. palumbinum, Dendrobium 
macropbyllum Yeitchianum, Cymbidium tigrinum, 
Bifrenaria aurantiaca, Masdevallia Simula, the curious 
Maxillaria tetragons, M. bella, M. erythroehaeta, 
Hartwegia purpurea, and many others too numerous to 
note in detail. 
Another house devoted to Orchids contains flower¬ 
ing plants of Lfelia Digbyana, with its curiously fringed 
lip, Cattleya Mossiae, C. Gaskelliana, Dendrobium 
moschatum, and others ; D. gloriosum superbnm, with 
newly expanded yellow flowers, is also very curious. 
In a cool house near this there is a specimen of 
Oncidium macranthum, which made its pseudo¬ 
bulbs out of doors, and one spike is now bearing 
thirteen or more flower buds. Here also is the 
distinct-looking Odontoglossum Lehmanni. A small 
stove is mostly occupied with Dendrobiums making 
their growths, together with Tuberoses and Ferns. At 
the back of this is a similar structure with samples 
of Phakenopsis Luddemanniana, and others, being 
grown on blocks of concrete. Several varieties of 
Lycaste Deppei also occupy the same house ; and large 
pieces of Impatiens Sultani are notable for the 
dark colour of their foliage and flowers. Near 
the middle of the grounds is a curious little house 
occupied with many species of Satyrium and other 
terrestrial Orchids from the Cape and Japan, chiefly the 
former. They are stood on wooden staging over an 
open tank of water. 
The Phakenopsis house contains a large number of 
species in small baskets. Other subjects, such as 
Yanda teres, Yanilla Humblotii, a rare species, 
Dendrobium Brymerianum, &c., are being tried on 
blocks of concrete, to which their roots cling with great 
tenacity. The experiment is being tried with several 
epiphytes belonging to different genera. A fine variety 
of Cattleya gigas, a grand form of Cypripedium Stonei, 
and a richly-coloured variety of Oncidium papilio are 
now flowering. A form of Miltonia vexillaria, with 
dark flowers, resembled M. v. rubella ; while another 
with a white lip and pale pink sepals and petals 
constituted a strong contrast. Some of the Anaectochili 
and allied subjects with variegated foliage kept com¬ 
pany with the Phalcenopsids. Goodyera japonica was 
notable for its ovate leaves, reticulated with silvery 
grey. 
A curious freak is observable in Dendrobium 
primulinum, with a leaf connate for more than 2 ins. 
of its length, forming a cylindrical sheath, enclosing 
the stem with a number of other leaves. A Lomaria— 
apparently L. zamifolia, introduced with the pseudo¬ 
bulbs of Zygopetalum graminifolium on its stems—had 
some healthy specimens embedded in the very crown 
amongst the expanding leaves of the Fern. Most in¬ 
teresting was it to note the luxuriant growth being 
made by several species of Cyrtopodium, especially C. 
Saintlegerianum. 
Mr. Smee is well known for the many experi¬ 
ments he tries with his Orchids under different 
conditions as to heat and moisture. Several kinds are 
grown out of doors on planks set over the streams 
running through the garden. They are also shaded 
overhead with trees. In one place is a collection of 
Lycastes, and in another are various terrestrial species, 
including several Disas, Callopogon pulchellus in 
flower, and a large collection of Masdevallias, apparently 
enjoying their surroundings. Mr. G. W. Cummins, 
the gardener, must find his time pretty well occupied 
in attending to all the particular wants of the subjects 
under his care. One other house deserves mention 
here as being almost the only one of its kind. It is 
occupied with hard-wooded plants, prominent amongst 
which we noted Darwinia macrostegia, Fuchsia micro- 
phylla, and some splendid samples of Osmunda regalis 
palustris, Adiantum pedatum and A. reniforme. 
Hardy Plants. 
The borders and various parts of the garden are 
occupied with a varied assortment of herbaceous plants, 
including a large quantity of Lilium dahuricum, now a 
blaze of orange-red. There is also a collection of 
species in pots, but none are now in bloom, with the 
exception of L. Krameri and L. Leitchlinii. There 
are some splendid pieces of Rheum palmatum about 
8 ft. or 9 ft. high. Delphiniums varying from 3 ft. to 
8 ft. high are also masses of blue. Amongst them are 
Brenus and Pilumnus, pale sky-blue ; Jackino, purple, 
changing to deep blue ; and Yolscius, deep purple and 
blue. Pseonies, varieties of P. albiflora, are also in 
full bloom, and beside them are varieties of Iris 
Kaempferi. On the banks of a stream are some grand 
masses of Petasites vulgaris—the largest-leaved British 
plant—the leaves sometimes attaining a yard in 
diameter. The Cotton Thistle (Onopordon acanthium) 
and Canterbury Bells in great variety flourish in the 
borders, and near by is a large quantity of Mimulus, 
showing a remarkable variety of colours. Along the 
sides of the stream winding through the garden, the 
great Willow Herb and purple Loosestrife grow in rank 
profusion. A specimen of Chamajrops Fortunei has 
braved our winters for the past twenty years out of 
doors. There is a fine specimen of Sequoia gigantea, 
perfectly pyramidal in outline and standing about 
45 ft. or 50 ft. in height. 
Hardy Ferns. 
Along the sides of the winding brook of clear water in 
various parts of the garden, and under the shade of 
trees, a large number of Ferns, both British and exotic, 
find a happy home. The Royal and Lady Ferns are both 
abundant and luxuriant, as well as Aspidium angulare. 
Mr. Smee, like others, finds the common Bracken 
difficult to establish, but when it takes to a place it is 
most difficult to eradicate. The Hart’s-tongue (Scolo- 
pendrium vulgare) develops fronds of great length, and 
the American Adiantum pedatum also seems happy. 
Ostrich Fern (Struthiopteris germanica) forms fine 
masses, but is greatly exceeded in stature by its big 
relative S. pennsylvanica, which has more erect fronds 
about 6 ft. high, with falcate acute pinnules. Close 
by this is a Fern case with a fine piece of Todea 
hymenophylloides in it, and in another locality is a 
similar frame sheltering a large specimen of T. superba 
intermedia. 
Fruit. 
King of the Earlies Strawberry, an early and highly- 
flavoured kind after the style of Black Prince, but 
much larger, is now in full bearing. Under similar 
conditions, but in another part of the garden, Vicom- 
tesse Hericart de Thury is found to be even earlier at 
The Grange. Apples and Pears do not promise well, 
although some of the trees are carrying good crops. 
Caterpillars aud other insects are waging war against 
the gardening interest here as well as at other places. 
-- 
GARDEN INSECTS. 
( Concluded from p. 662.) 
The Eucharis Mite. 
Some people dispute the fact that there is such a 
thing as the Eucharis mite. I need not enter into a 
full description of it. The mite is exceedingly small, 
and attacks the bulbs of other plants as well as the 
Eucharis ; but it must not be mistaken for the fungus 
which attacks the Eucharis. I have no doubt that 
is very often done, as they seem to be colleagues in 
the work. This disease is rather common on starch- 
containing substances, as are the Eucharis bulbs. It 
is first observed by the appearance of small blood-red 
spots on the outside of the outer scales ; and if the 
scales are pulled off, the inner scales will be found 
stained with these highly-coloured spots. This disease, 
just as any other, fastens itself on the weakest point of 
the plant, and oftentimes the spots appear on the 
leaves or stalk. It is called by some a Saccharomyces, 
or yeast fungoid, and propagates itself by budding ; 
but oftentimes the daughter cells will remain attached 
to the parent to the number of three or four, and form 
quite a little colony. Almost every cell contains a 
vacuole, which is situated on the outer side of the cell. 
The species of the fungus is Saccharomyces glutinis, 
which lives on the starch granules of plants. Seeing, 
then, the minuteness of the fungus producing the 
disease, we shall find it a very difficult matter to 
eradicate. 
Prevention and Remedy. 
We will commence first with the Eucharis fungus. 
The best remedy is to get the plants into a strong 
healthy condition, and then they are in a better state 
to resist its attacks. The disease spreads with great 
rapidity, therefore every affected part should be cut 
away. Some steep the bulhs for a night in sulphide of 
potassium. The cure for Eucharis mite is to take out 
the bulbs and wash them in paraffin. Others steep 
them in soot-water, and many other simple things 
are, no doubt, very efficacious in destroying these 
pests. 
Woodlice are caught by pieces of Apple, or even 
Potato, and also by putting a little hay into a pot laid 
on its side, and emptied or examined every day. The 
best preventive is to scatter soot round about the plants, 
or to water them with soot water or liquid manure. 
Anything sweet seems to be enticing, while bitter sub¬ 
stances repel them. 
Wasps and bees are easily caught by hanging in the 
vinery bottles containing a little beer or other sweet 
and enticing fluid. The best preventive is to cover the 
ventilators with fine gauze. 
Ants are entrapped by placing in the houses small 
pots containing a little meal and sugar, and dipping 
them into either boiling or cold water to destroy the 
insects. The best preventive is to keep the plants 
clean, for we know where filth is not present, few, if 
any, sorts are to be seen. 
Beetles are driven away by spreading dry soot round 
the plants, or they are killed by dipping the infested 
shoots in a mixture composed of \ lb. of soft-soap, \ lb. 
of flour of sulphur, and the same quantity of soot, well 
stirred together in a pail of warm water. The best 
way to prevent the ravages of the Bean Beetle is to 
examine the seed before sowing. 
Bugs are destroyed by syringing the plant with a 
solution of soft-soap and paraffin, holding the plant 
with its head downwards, and afterwards well syringing 
with either cold or warm but clean water, in order to 
prevent injury to the plant by the operation. 
Red-spider increases with great rapidity in hot dry 
climates ; therefore the best cure and preventive is to 
keep our greenhouses moist and our plants well syringed, 
cleansing the leaves where practicable with soft-soap 
and water. 
Thrips thrive in close moist houses, and are best 
removed by dusting with sulphur, by syringing with 
tobacco-water or soft-soap and water, and by many 
other insecticides. 
For cockroaches I should say the best remedy is to 
search for them after dark with a lamp, but I have also 
found that the placing in the houses of bottles con¬ 
taining a sweet fluid, such as lemonade or lemon juice 
is very efficacious. 
Earwigs feed at night on the various kinds of flowers, 
and when daylight appears they seek for some dark 
place in which to hide themselves. This being 
so, our object can only be attained by placing traps in 
the shape of rolls of paper amongst the plants, and 
examining them every day or two. A piece of cotton¬ 
wool twisted round the flower-stem will prevent them 
getting at the flowers. Inverted pots filled with moss 
and placed on a stake and examined occasionally is a 
very good method. 
Some people argue that there is no remedy for scale, 
but I have found a mixture of soft-soap, paraffin and 
water a very good remedy, applied either with a brush 
or sponge. 
Aphides are easily destroyed by fumigating, by 
syringing with tobacco-water, soft-soap and w T ater, 
soap-suds, or by quassia chips steeped in water.— 
S. Heaton. 
-->$<*- 
otes from Scotland. 
Notes on Peas. —However much we may strive 
to attain a. desired object in the cultivation of any 
plant, our best efforts are not always attended 
with the success so much desired. On the other hand, 
it sometimes happens that when no particular en¬ 
deavour is made, or any extra care taken, our hopes 
are more than realised. In no case are we more likely 
to meet with this experience than in the cultivation of 
early vegetables. I have always looked upon Pea 
forcing as a waste of time and means ; but where a 
proprietor desires to have them fresh and palatable 
during early spring, I should never object to the 
simple practice of growing early Peas as far as circum¬ 
stances would allow. However, what I am driving at 
is the endeavour sometimes made to have Peas early in 
June by the ordinary methods of sowing early, either 
in the open ground during November, or inboxes, pots, 
turves, &c., during January, and using all the arts 
afforded by traps, cats, and poison, to ward off rats, 
mice, slugs, &e., and then to be no further forward 
than if we had left such work alone—nay, not so well 
off as if we had sown the seed during March or April. 
Such has been my experience for some years, and we 
pick Peas on the 18th of June from four lots—viz., 
those planted successively from boxes in March, which 
were sown at the turn of the year—fine, stiff, hardy 
stuff, which has grown well, but no earlier than those 
»own later (from the same bags of seed) out in the open 
borders. The latter are stronger, and will produce 
heavier crops. Kentish Invicta, sown on April 2nd, is 
equal in point of time with the earliest crops we have. 
William the First and Beck’s Dwarf Gem are ready for 
use at the same time. I have often remarked in these 
pages before that in seed sowing cultivators fre¬ 
quently make more haste than good speed.— Stirling. 
