264 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
December 26, 1891. 
and. as the fruit keeps in good condition up till May, 
the variety is valuable on this account. In some 
parts of Berkshire, including the Apple districts of 
Wallingford and Brightwell, the variety is well 
known, and cultivated to some extent. Although 
generally spoken of as a culinary Apple it may also 
be used for dessert purposes. 
NERINE MANSELLI. 
There are now several hybrid Nerines under culti¬ 
vation, including that under notice. It was raised 
between N. flexuosa and N. curvifolia, the influence 
of the latter being seen both in the size of the flowers 
and the character of the foliage. The flowers are of 
a warm rose with a deeper red midrib, fading to 
carmine with age. The segments are possessed of a 
peculiar satiny gloss when seen at their best; they 
are wavy above the middle, thus showing the influ¬ 
ence of N. flexuosa. The broad, strap-shaped leaves 
are of a glaucous green, about i in. ormorein breadth, 
and developed at the same time as the flower scapes. 
The value of the plant for decorative purposes is 
greatly enhanced by its flowering at this dull period 
of the year, and, when in bloom, a greenhouse 
temperature is sufficiently high for it. 
BEGONIA HAAGEANA. 
At a casual glance this bears some resemblance to 
B. metallica, of which it seems to be a giant form. It 
is altogether a finer plant, however, with broad, half 
heart-shaped leaves, which are hairy on the upper 
surface and of a bright red beneath. The flowers 
are produced in large cymes, and are white, with a 
boss of bright red hairs on the back of the outer 
sepals near the base. Owing to the crowded state of 
the hairs in the half-expanded state of the flowers, 
they appear of a dark red at that stage, but when the 
large sepals attain their full size the hairs get more 
scattered, and the flowers then appear altogether 
lighter in hue. By keeping the plant in a growing 
state, it keeps on flowering almost all the year round. 
It is a comparatively recent introduction, and if 
gardeners 'generally knew its value for horticultural 
purposes they would give it preference to many other 
subjects which they now grow for winter decoration. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS, 
Cypripedium macrochilum. 
As the name implies this Cypripedium is notable for 
the size of its lip. It is a hybrid, having Uropedium 
Lindeni and Cypripedium for its parents. Now, as 
is well known, the first named of the two parents has 
a long, narrow, flattened lip resembling the petals 
and entirely without a pouch. The hybrid under 
notice agrees more with C. Roezli, but has even a 
larger lip. The upper sepal is yellow with green 
veins. The petals are linear, pendulous, 6 in. to 7 in. 
long, yellow at the base, and pale rose for the rest of 
their length. The long lip is somewhat compressed 
on the sides, and suffused with a soft rose on a 
straw-yellow ground. On the claw is an arch or 
^-shaped line of large green blotches. The length 
of time during which the plant keeps in bloom is 
remarkable. We noted the plant the other week in 
the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, at Chelsea. 
Cypripedium Media. 
The parents of this hybrid were C. Spicerianum and 
C. hirsutissimum, the progeny showing the influence 
of both. The upper sepal is pale green at the base, 
suffused with purple upwards on a white ground, 
while the uppermost portion is pure white ; the mid¬ 
rib, however, is purple, as is generally the case where 
C. Spicerianum is one of the parents. The petals 
are somewhat deflexed, suffused with brown on a 
yellow ground spotted with black, while the apex is 
pale purple, and both edges ciliated with coarse 
hairs. The characters of the petals point unmistak¬ 
ably to C. hirsutissimum. The large lip is of a dull 
purple, and the staminode is violet-purple, the latter 
fact recalling C. Spicerianum to some extent. On 
the whole the upper sepal is the most conspicuous 
and showy organ of the flower. The plant is one of 
the newer hybrids raised in the nursery of Messrs. 
J. Veitch & Sons, at Chelsea. 
Leelia anceps Var. 
We are in receipt of a flower of L. anceps in very 
fine condition (notwithstanding the inclement nature 
of the weather) from Mr. James Brown, gardener to 
II. B. White, Esq., Arddarroch, Gareloch Head, 
N.B. In several respects the flower closely 
approaches L. a. Dawsoni and L. a. Sander's var. 
The sepals and petals are pure white, and the latter 
are very broad and ovate-lanceolate, closely ap¬ 
proaching L. a. Dawsoni in this respect, although 
not quite so rhomboid. The lip also is of good pro¬ 
portions, and pure white with exception of a pale 
purple blotch in the middle of the terminal lobe, the 
yellow ridge along the centre, and radiating purple 
lines at the base of the side lobes, as well as three 
purple lines on the lower portion of the crest. The 
purple lines in the throat are rich and well defined, 
adding much to the general appearance of the flower. 
We consider it a variety of great merit even if it 
comes too close to the vaiieties above mentioned to 
merit a special name. 
Laelio Cattleya Pallas. 
The parentage of this fine plant is Cattleya 
Dowiana and Laelia crispa, between which it is 
intermediate. The sepals are of a soft lilac, and of 
the usual size and form. The petals are broader 
and darker, and reflexed at the sides, that is, they 
are 'longitudinally folded backwards, and much 
crisped at the edges, which characters are leading 
features of Laelia crispa. The lip partakes more of 
the character of Cattleya Dowiana in its large size 
and rich purple lamina, with a broad, lilac, much 
undulated and crisped margin. The purple throat 
is also much lined with orange. We noted a flower¬ 
ing specimen recently in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, where it made a bold dis¬ 
play in the large Cattleya house, where the bulk of 
Cattleyas are now resting. 
_ » 
WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN, 
Foliage Plants forthe Conservatory. —Plants 
of a tolerably hardy nature, that is which can live 
in a moderately low temperature, will be found very 
useful at this season of the year to add to the dis¬ 
play produced by flowering plants. Some of the 
more suitable of the plants of this class are Eurya 
latifolia variegata, Coprosma Baueriana variegata, 
with its shining green leaves edged with a broad 
band of white, Ophiopogon Jaburan variegatus, 
Aspidistra lurida variegata, Aralia Sieboldi variegata 
and others of that class which may suggest them¬ 
selves to the cultivator. By mixing these amongst 
the flowering subjects a pleasing effect may be 
produced. 
Winter-flowering Subjects. —The number of 
these at the command of the cultivator is now very 
great, and if preparations have been made for a good 
display at Christmas there should now be an 
abundance of material, including Sericographis 
Ghiesbreghtii, Libonia floribunda, Richardia afri- 
cana, Bouvardias, Tree Carnations, Chinese Pri¬ 
mulas, Camellias, Chrysanthemums, Reinwardtia 
(Linum) trigyna, Cinerarias, Eupatoriums, Begonias i 
and various kinds of forced bulbs, so well known 
as hardly to require comment. 
Basket Plants —In span-roofed houses of suffi¬ 
cient height, a pleasing and varied effect is produced 
by the aid of hanging baskets. The choice of 
plants for this purpose in winter is more limited 
than in summer, yet a few of them can be turned to 
good account. Foremost amongst the plants that 
may now be used are Ferns, including Adiantum 
cuneatum, A. gracillimum, A. assimile, A. aemulum, 
and several others, also a number of the Davallias, 
Woodwardias, Nephrolepis, Platycerium, &c. Others 
that suggest themselves are Asparagus plumosus 
nanus in the dwarf state, Begonia insignis, B. 
glaucophyllum splendens, Nepenthes, Selaginellas, 
etc. 
Lachenalias. —The foliage of these plants should 
now be coming away strongly, and should be freely 
exposed to light either in pits or on the shelves of a 
greenhouse. Ventilation is also a matter of the 
greatest importance to these plants if they are ex¬ 
pected to make vigorous growth and to flower freely 
later on. The temperature of a greenhouse will be 
sufficiently high in the early stages of growth, and if 
it is considered desirable to hasten their flowering, 
then put them in an intermediate house, well lighted, 
and freely ventilated on all favourable occcasions. 
Baskets planted with bulbs should be hung up near 
the glass. 
Peaches. —With the mild weather which has 
prevailed hitherto, there has been no difficulty in 
keeping up the requisite temperature in tfle early 
house, which, if started about the beginning of 
November, should now be advancing visibly. With 
sunshine the temperature during the day may be 
allowed to run up to 65° or 70°, at the same time 
ventilating freely when the outside temperature is 
such as to warrant it. A second house may be started 
at once, if the requirements of the establishment 
necessitate it. See that the soil of the borders is 
sufficiently moist, and if not give a good watering 
with water heated to a temperature of 85°. 
Cucumbers.—Like other plants kept in a growing 
state, Cucumbers have been much benefited by the 
mildness of the winter and the relatively good light. 
Overcropping should, however, be avoided if the 
plants are expected to keep in bearing till the early 
spring sown batch comes into bearing. All fruits 
should be removed from the plants after they attain 
a useable size in order not to overtax the energies of 
the plants. When the soil in which they are planted 
approaches a condition of dryness give a good 
watering with liquid manure heated to a temperature 
of 85° or thereby. This will give the roots a fresh 
stimulus, and enable the plants to go on bearing. 
French Beans, Peas.— A top dressing to French 
Beans in full growth will now prove very beneficial 
and enable them to produce a heavier crop. Have 
the soil warmed in a hothouse or by placing it near 
the hot water pipes before using. A sowing of 
some early variety of Pea may now be made in pots 
or on turves, so that they may be shifted into cooler 
houses, by way of hardening off, preparatory to 
planting in a warm, sunny border later on. 
Asparagus, Potatos, &c.—For the forcing of 
Asparagus a temperature of 6o° to 70° will have 
to be kept up, and, if done by means of fermenting 
manure, the linings of the pit will have to be 
attended to and more added as the heat declines. 
The same applies to Potatos, Carrots, Radishes, 
and other subjects which are being forced by means 
of manure. 
Potatos forforcing.—Every grower has his own 
particular favourite which he uses for forcing pur¬ 
poses. Some time previous to their being planted, 
the sets should be placed in some warm position 
under the stages of a greenhouse or vinery, to encour¬ 
age the development of the eyes, as many of them 
are liable to go blind and cause disappointment when 
it is too late to remedy the matter. The manure 
should also be prepared some time before the beds 
are made up. 
_ _ ♦ t _ 
©bituar\>. 
With sincere regret, which will be shared by a very 
extensive circle of horticultural friends, we have to 
record the death—at his residence, Newton Villa, 
Chester, early on the 17th inst.— of Mr. William 
Alfred Dickson, aged 54 years. Mr. Dickson had 
patiently borne a long and trying illness, and the 
deepest sympathy is felt for Mrs. Dickson and her 
young family of six children. His death is indeed to 
them an irreparable loss, and his absence will be 
keenly felt in the councils of the great nursery and 
seed trading company now carried on under the title 
of Dicksons Limited, and of the nursery branch, of 
which he may be said to have been the active head. 
Mr. Alfred Dickson was a son of the late Mr. James 
Husband Dickson, who founded the old nursery and 
seed business at Chester, which for so many years 
was carried on by Messrs. James Dickson & Sons, 
and he leaves two brothers, Mr. George A. Dickson, 
J.P., and Mr. James Dickson, still closely identified 
with Dicksons Limited, and a third a solicitor, Mr. 
Johnson Dickson. Mr. Alfred Dickson’s active busi¬ 
ness life'was closely identified with the management 
of the nurseries, and it has been said of him by one 
who knew him most intimately that in the prime of 
early manhood few men showed more activity and in¬ 
domitable energy. He never neglected the claims of his 
business ; up to within a few months of his death he 
met his partners to go through the day’s letters soon 
after six in the morning, winter and summer. In 
the earlier years he travelled extensively, yet found 
time to pursue his favourite sport across country. 
Mr. Alfred Dickson was also well-known in connec¬ 
tion with the rifle volunteers, which he joined in 1S59 
at the commencement of the movement. He passed 
through the various grades, and at the time of his 
death held the rank of Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel in 
the 2nd (Earl of Chester’s) Volunteer Battalion of 
the Cheshire Regiment. He went into camp regu¬ 
larly each year, and in the earlier years he was re¬ 
garded a§ an excellent -marksman, - having won the 
