April 6, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
503 
flowers, having a pink tube and a pure white limb. It 
is admirably adapted for the cool conservatory at this 
season of the year, and owing to its dwarf habit, may 
be accommodated in the front row. We noticed some 
neat flowering specimens in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Drosera cistiflora. 
Many of the exotic species of Drosera, both from the 
Cape and from Australia, are notable for the size and 
often rich colouring of the flowers. The species under 
notice is flowering in one of the pits at Kew for the 
first time probably in Europe. Seeds were communi¬ 
cated by Miss North, who has been instrumental in 
introducing many fine things. The stem rises to a 
height of about 6 ins., and terminates in a solitary 
flower of a brilliant poppy-red or almost crimson- 
scarlet. The flower is large for the genus, and during 
sunshine forms a widely expanded cup, which may not 
inaptly be compared to a Poppy of that colour. At 
the base of the flower is a curious green disk, and the 
five styles, each with numerous radiating stigmas, 
arrange themselves against the petals and outside the 
group of five yellow anthers. The leaves are linear, 
densely covered with the customary glands, and 
arranged singly along the stems. 
Hops for Ornament. 
When Hops are introduced to the garden for orna¬ 
mental purposes, care might be taken to obtain some of 
the improved and cultivated sorts, which are far more 
ornamental when in fruit than the ordinary wild kind. 
The male and female flowers are borne on different 
plants, the latter being by far the more ornamental. 
Male plants, except out of curiosity, need not be grown. 
Being so uncommon, however, compared with the 
catkin-bearing kind, there is frequently a desire to 
grow both for the sake of contrast. There are numerous 
improved kinds under cultivation, which vary in the 
size, number, and colour of the catkins, and are cer¬ 
tainly very effective when grown as a covering to 
pillars, trellises, arbours, summer-houses, and similar 
things. Some of these are known as Grapes, White 
Bines, Goldings, and other names. In order that the 
best effect may be obtained, they should be well 
manured in autumn, while at all times the soil about 
them should be rich and well loosened up, so as to take 
in rain and what other moisture may be applied to 
them artificially. The old Vines should now be cut 
down to a strong bud at the surface of the ground, 
after which they will throw up vigorous young shoots. 
The present is also a good time to plant rooted young 
suckers. 
Emperor Frederick Cineraria. 
Messrs. Jas. Carter & Co. kindly draw attention 
to the fact that persistency in presenting the plant 
eventuated in getting a Certificate of Merit awarded to 
my Blue Primrose. But they overlook the fact that the 
certificating body in my case was the R. H. S. Floral 
Committee, and not two or three judges at the Royal 
Botanic Society’s show in Regent’s Park. So far as 
my judgment went when I saw the basket of their 
Cineraria at the Westminster Drill Hall, on the 26th 
ult., I thought yet another fortnight was needed to 
enable the blooms to be fully expanded. As to whether 
then it may merit the coveted honour I will offer no 
opinion, for I have no voice in the matter. If, how¬ 
ever, the plant marks so remarkable a break in 
Cinerarias as my blue Primrose does amongst its 
fellows, then it is meritorious indeed.— A. Dean. 
Azalea obtusa alba. 
Considerable attention has recently been given to 
the improvement of the smaller-flowered forms of 
Azalea, both for the decoration of the conservatory and 
for the sake of cut flowers, as they generally respond 
more readily to forcing than the larger-flowered forms 
of A. indica. As evidence of the tendency, we need 
only refer to the improvements in A. amcena to wit, 
A. 8. Colvillei and a race known as the Carmichael 
strain. As long ago at least as 1878 Messrs. James 
Veitch & Sons grew A. obtusa, a form intermediate 
in the size of its orange-crimson flowers between A. 
indica and A. amoena, with the habit and hardiness of 
the latter. Since then one of their travellers—namely, 
Mr. Maries—picked up the white form in Japan, and 
good-sized specimens of it may be seen at present at 
Chelsea, where it has been in flower for some time past. 
The great majority of the flowers are pure white, but 
some of them show a tendency to become striped with 
red, and occasionally a flower appears that is wholly of 
a red colour. It is easily grown, and is very Auriferous. 
Shirley Poppies. 
To the gardener or amateur who wishes to be in the 
fashion and abreast with the times, one may say, if 
you do not grow a few Shirley Poppies this season you 
will be out of the running entirely. They are of 
diverse colours, and wherever cultivated are sure to 
gain admirers. Seed may be sown now, either in drills 
or broadcast ; when large enough thin out the plants 
to about a foot apart, and keep free from weeds after¬ 
wards. A somewhat poor soil, rather than the con¬ 
trary, will suit them best.— J. U. 
-->03-O- 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Heaths and Azaleas. —Notwithstanding the great 
amount of work ou hand at present, no better time 
could be selected for the re-potting of such hard-wooded 
subjects as require it. Before turning any of the plants 
out, see that they have been watered a short time 
previously, and that the ball of soil is thoroughly 
moistened. The soil that is to be used for potting 
should be in the same happy condition, so that no 
watering may be required for some time after the 
operation has been accomplished. "Watering such 
things immediately after potting tends to render the 
soil sodden and pasty, thereby preventing the young 
roots from permeating it. In preparing peat for Heaths 
and Azaleas, the finer portions had better be sifted out 
and used for some other purpose. Very large shifts 
should not be given ; but the soil should be firmly 
rammed down between the pot and the old ball, so as 
to prevent water from percolating away by the new 
material without entering the old ball. 
Epacris. —Almost the same remarks apply to this 
class of plants as to the Heaths ; but it is best to pot 
them after the shoots have been cut down, and the 
young buds have again begun to push. Before this 
takes place it is necessary to put them in strong heat for a 
time. Where a large quantity is grown in successive 
batches, they will require to be pruned and placed in 
heat at different times as they go out of flower. 
Calceolarias.— Great care must now be exercised 
with these soft-wooded subjects, as they are extremely 
liable to the attacks of green-fly, and their foliage to 
get drawn, unless plenty of space is allowed between 
each plant, and are kept close to the glass in a 
well-ventilated house. A low pit or cold frame is the 
best place for the plants at present. Plenty of venti¬ 
lation can be given at all times, and by a close attention 
to these necessary requirements, the foliage can be pre¬ 
served in fresh and healthy condition—a matter of no 
small importance when the plants come into flower. 
Should green-fly put in an appearance, fumigate lightly 
on successive occasions till the pest is thoroughly 
subdued. 
Primulas and Cinerarias. —Now is a good time 
to sow the main batches of these useful subjects. The 
semi-double strains of Primula sinensis are amenable to 
the same system of cultural treatment as the singles, 
and are propagated in the same way. Those that are 
perfectly double must be propagated by division or 
cuttings. A simple and excellent plan is to prepare a 
quantity of light rich soil in which well-rotted leaves 
are largely incorporated. Remove all the old foliage 
from the base of the plant, and pack firmly a layer of 
the compost round the collar of the same so as to 
surround the base of the offshoots. Place in a warm, 
moist atmosphere for some weeks, after which it will 
be found that the side branches have rooted into the 
compost. They may then be severed from the old 
rootstock with a sharp knife, and may be potted up as 
rooted plants immediately. It will be necessary to 
keep them close and moist for a time. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —Attend to the stopping of the shoots of 
Black Hamburgh and Muscats in the late houses. Tie 
down the shoots before they touch the glass, and where 
the semi-extension is adopted the laterals may be 
allowed to grow to the second or third leaf beyond the 
bunch, or as far as there is space to fully accommodate 
and allow of a proper development of the leaves, so 
that all may be fully exposed to the light. Assist 
Muscats in flower to set their berries by the main¬ 
tenance of a dry atmosphere during the early and 
middle part of the day. Also tap the rods occasionally 
to distribute the pollen, or some of the many artificial 
means of effecting the same. The temperature of the 
house at this time may be kept at 70°, or 65° on cold 
nights. Inside borders should occasionally receive a 
good soaking with tepid water. 
Melons. —With the lengthening of the days and the 
increase of solar heat these are now making rapid 
progress. Stopping and tying must be regularly 
attended to so as to economise their vigour as much as 
possible. When the roots have well permeated the 
mounds of soil and are showing themselves outside of 
it, additions of fresh and substantial material must be 
made to them. It is beneficial to the tender and 
rapidly extending roots that the freshly added soil 
should be of the same temperature as the house, 
otherwise they may suffer a check. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Fruit Trees. —If not already done, all recently 
transplanted trees in the open should be securely 
staked. Trees against walls that were left unfastened 
until the ground should have subsided, carrying the 
trees with it, must now be nailed up without further 
delay. Owing to the cold, drying, north-east winds 
very little growth is made, but the flower buds of Pears, 
and especially the earlier kinds, have now made a 
decided move, and it may be necessary to protect the 
blooms of very early kinds from late spring frosts. 
This cannot be carried to any extent in the case of 
standards in the open ; but wall trees may easily be 
protected by arranging a few Spruce or Evergreen 
branches over the parts of the tree that are rich with 
flower buds. The branches should be a little above the 
blossom, so that removal of the protection will not be 
necessary until all danger is past. Peaches, Apricots, 
and Cherries that flower early are those to which most 
attention should be given. 
-- 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
-*j*- 
Spathoglottis Kimballiana. 
The habit of this species is precisely similar to that of 
S. angustorum, and the two may be described as the 
giants of the genus, as far as those in cultivation are 
concerned. The narrowly lance-shaped plaited leaves 
vary from ft. to 3 ft. in length, according to the 
strength of the plant; they assume an arching habit, 
so that the strong erect scapes surmount them. The 
flowers in both of the species named are borne in short 
dense racemes at the top of the scape, are of large size, 
and to a casual observer bear a considerable resemblance 
to those of a Phalaenopsis, as far as shape is concerned. 
The inner surface is of a deep yellow, while the outer is 
more or less stained with bronzy red. It was recently 
exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (gardener, Mr. 
Bickerstaff), Burford Lodge, Dorking, with whom it 
has flowered much earlier in the season than it did last 
year. 
Odontoglossums at Eastwood Park, Thornlie- 
BANK, NEAR GLASGOW. 
The Odontoglossum houses belonging to D. Tod, Esq., 
are at the present time quite ablaze with flower, and it 
is probable that the collection is second to none in 
cultivation at the present time. I have seen many 
good examples of high cultivation, but never anything 
approaching what I witnessed in Mr. Tod’s houses the 
other day. The first that attracted attention was a 
very fine variety of 0. Andersonianum, which had 
two spikes from one bulb freely branched, and in 
the aggregate carried the enormous quantity of ninety- 
eight large flowers. Another plant of the same variety 
had four spikes, with an aggregate of 142 flowers, the 
bulbs being from 8 ins. to 10 ins. in circumference. 
Of the 0. crispum section there were dozens of spikes 
from 1 ft. to 3 ft. in length, and all of sterling quality ; 
indeed, as Mr. Tod remarked, “they are the pickings 
of thousands.” One variety struck me very much, as 
instead of the usual chocolate-brown markings it was 
densely spotted with mauve-purple, similar to 0. 
Pescatorei Veitchianum and others of that section. 
0. Edwardii was represented by two plants carrying 
hundreds of its sweet-scented violet-purple flowers. 
0. Hallii occupied the centre stage, and the crop of 
spikes could only be compared to a field of Willows, 
many of them being 4 ft. in length, with forty to fifty 
flower-buds. These will be a glorious sight in a short 
time. A fine plant of 0. tripudians had twelve spikes, 
and fine varieties of 0. luteo-purpureum, including 
Sceptrum, were also in flower. 0. Prionopetalum was 
very distinct, the sepals and petals being of a rich shade 
of canary-yellow, heavily marked with brown spots. 
In the same house Oncidium macranthum had spikes 
