306 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 16, 1892. 
type, shows a wonderful variation of rich colours. 
The flowers of Giant Crimson are rose-coloured at 
present, but deepen to crimson in February and 
March. It makes a grand companion to Giant 
White, which is compact in habit with flowers of 
great size and substance. Seeds of both are sold in 
mixture together with others not yet grown in quan¬ 
tity and which as a rule produce but few seeds. A 
handsome sort is Ruby King, with crimson-magenta 
flowers and a crimson eye. Reading Pink can 
hardly fail to be admired by all who see it on account 
of its delicate and pleasing colour. Reading Scarlet 
is as brilliant as it is floriferous, and the flowers are 
of large size. Brilliant Rose is an early flowering 
sort, and was in perfection when we saw it. Another 
variety of great merit is White Primula Pearl, with 
large, flat, pure white flowers and light green foliage, 
The red petioles, and large, richly-coloured flowers 
of Terra Cotta, show it to be a variety of great 
decorative value. 
Fern-leaved Varieties. 
The presence of finely cut, elongated, and fern-like 
leaves adds considerably to the decorative value of 
Chinese Primulas, and, whether the foliage has red 
or green petioles, also rivets the attention of the be¬ 
holder, especially when contrasted with flowers of 
tints which we could hardly expect from the same. 
The Blue Fern-leaved has red petioles and flowers 
of wonderful richness, such as we seldom see in the 
so-called blues. Purity has pure white flowers and 
red petioles, and, being very floriferous, forms a strong 
contrast to the above. In this respect even more 
can be said of Gipsy Queen, for the dark brown, red 
petioled leaves are contrasted with pure white 
flowers. So distinct is it that it can be seen and dis¬ 
tinguished by the foliage alone, even at a consider¬ 
able distance off. It is well adapted for table 
decoration, as the metallic looking leaves are quite 
novel amongst Primulas. The earliest white variety 
is Snowdrift, a title it well merits, for the pure white 
flowers are not only produced in masses but such is 
their conformation that they hang on the plant till 
they shrivel up like tissue paper. 
Double Primulas, 
The value of semi-double or double varieties of the 
Reading strain becomes apparent when we consider 
the fact that they can be raised in any quantity and 
with the same facility as the single varieties, without 
having recourse to the slow method of propagation 
by cuttings, as in the case of the old double with full, 
compact centres. The vigour of the foliage is also 
retained by raising the plants from seed. Double 
White varies with double and semi-double flowers, 
and has beautiful fern-leared foliage. An idea of 
the flowers may be gleaned by reference to the 
lower part of the accompanying illustration, for 
which we are indebted to Messrs. Sutton & Sons. It 
is an early flowering variety of great decorative value, 
with huge trusses of bloom, and forms an excellent 
companion to Double Scarlet. The latter is roDust 
in habit, floriferous, and remains in perfection for a 
long time. It has been honoured with a First-class 
Certificate. The rich, but delicate and pleasing 
flowers of Double Rose are also noteworthy, as a col¬ 
lection could hardly be complete without it. We were 
even more pleased with the Double Blue than its 
single counterpart, for the segments of the corolla 
were of a rich, dark tint, more worthy of the name 
of blue than most other kinds in cultivation. The 
margins were beautifully indented or fringed. Those 
who like fancy flowers could not do better than select 
Carnation-flaked, whose flowers are beautifully 
mottled, and striped with purple, on a pure white 
ground. 
The moss-leaved varieties are very interesting in 
their way, and vary greatly in the size and colour of 
the flowers. The leaves in some cases remind the 
visitor of Curled Kail or Parsley. Some have large 
and others small flowers, both single and semi¬ 
double. The most of the above are arranged along 
the side benches of lew, span-roofed houses, but a 
fine display meets the eye in one house, where all, or 
nearly all, the varieties in the collection are arranged 
in single or double rows on stages that ascend, tier 
above tier, till close to the glass. In frames close by 
are early batches of Cinerarias, many of which are 
now flowering finely. 
Isoloma elliptica Multiflora.—The plants known 
in gardens as Tydseas are now included in the 
genus Isoloma. That under notice resembles a 
Tydaea, particularly in the form of the flowers. 
The leaves are obliquely ovate, and arranged 
upon the stems in whorls of three. The flowers 
are produced in small clusters in the axils of the 
leaves, and are notable for the shortness of the 
tube, which is covered with red hairs. The limb 
consists of five lobes, which are crumpled and 
toothed at the margins, and closely marked with 
purple spots and curved lines on a yellow ground. 
The markings are generally a conspicuous feature of 
the Tydseas, and the plants prove very serviceable in 
flowering in winter. ' • 
ORCHIDS AT 
“BROOMFIELD,” SALE. 
When visiting some of the principal Orchid col¬ 
lections in the Manchester district, where good 
Orchids are perhaps more plentiful than in any other 
locality in England, I was particularly struck with 
the collection belonging to M. Wells, Esq., at present 
small, but almost unique, considering that Mr. Wells 
only commenced Orchid growing about eighteen 
months ago. He has got together a most interesting 
lot of plants ; and unlike most amateurs—who, when 
starting in the Orchid world, commence with small, 
puny, and often half dead plants, at the time con¬ 
sidered cheap, but very seldom giving any recom¬ 
pense for the time and trouble bestowed upon them— 
he began by securing some of the most rare and 
beautiful kinds, and, in some cases, absolutely unique 
specimens. Cattleyas, Lsslias, and Odontoglossums 
are the favourites, and no plant finds a home here 
unless it possesses more than an ordinary amount of 
quality, either as a variety or species. The houses 
are nice, compact, and well adapted for the purpose 
of growing the plants. 
We first entered the cool-house, which is well filled 
with a fine lot of Odontoglossums of different kinds, 
all healthy, clean, and well grown. I noticed alovely 
form of Odontoglossum crispum called “ Grandi- 
florum,"—the flowers are large, round, and well 
formed ; the edges of the sepals and petals are crisped 
and broad, showing off the flower to advantage; Odon¬ 
toglossum polyxanthum, with two strongiflower spikes 1 
O. Wilckeanum, a splendid variety with a fine flower 
spike; O. Hallii xanthoglossum, and the variety 
leucoglossum, with the white margin on the lip ; O. 
Humeanum, a well coloured flower. Many of the 
finest varieties of the hybrid Odontoglossums, such 
as O. Andersonianum, O. Ruckerianum, O. spectabilis, 
O. Coradenei, O. baphicanthum, O. Chestertoni, O. 
hebraicum, all with good flower spikes, and shortly 
will make a grand display. In this house are many 
other cool Orchids, such as Zygopetalum crinitum 
cceruleum, with a large spike of its bluish flowers, 
which are sweetly scented. Oncidium macranthum 
does well here, also the lovely Sophronitis grandi- 
flora, perhaps one of the best varieties, is in bloom ; 
the flowers are 2J ins. across and of the brightest 
colour. Many fine varieties of Odontoglossum 
Rossii majus are suspended from the roof, together 
with some fine forms of Lielia anceps, which are 
resting in the cool, such as L. anceps Sanderiana, L. 
anceps Dawsoni, L. anceps alba, L. anceps Schroderse, 
L. anceps Stella, and some dark form of L. anceps. 
There is a fine plant of Sobralia xantholeuca growing 
freely in the cool. 
A warmer house is filled with different species. 
Many wonderful forms of Lselia elegans, which are 
thought & great deal of by the owner, L. elegans Tur- 
nerii being the favourite; L. elegans prasiata L.elegans 
rosea, L. elegans Blenheimensis, a new introduction 
into the collection, and many other forms are pre¬ 
sent In bloom were some fine forms of Lselia 
anceps, L. anceps Barkeriana, L. anceps Cowanii, 
said by some judges to be the finest of all the dark 
forms of the species. Some Cattleyas are half rest¬ 
ing in this house, such as Cattleya Hardyana, C. 
Mossiae Hardyana, C. Wagenerii, and C. Skinnerii 
alba. C. Mendelii looks splendid, full of flower 
sheaths. Cymbidium Hookerianum is represented 
by a fine plant. There is also a magnificent plant 
of the rare Cymbidium Parishii, showing flower 
spike. Lycaste Skinnerii alba and Coelogyne cristata 
alba are at home in this house, the bulbs being large 
and the flower spikes exceedingly strong. Some 
fine-grown specimen plants of C. cristata maxima 
and C. cristata (Chatsworth variety) ; also C. 
cristata Lemoniana are all in the best possible con¬ 
dition. Odontoglossum Roezlii grows beautifully 
on a shelf close to the glass, together with O. vexil- 
larium and O. Phalasnopsis, they are clean and 
making fine growth. Doubtless these plants will 
flower well. Oncidium Marshallianum and O. cris¬ 
pum grandiflorum are doing well, quite at home and 
free from all thrip marks so prevalent to these 
species. Other plants are looking the picture of 
health, such as Cymbidium eburneum with seven 
flower spikes; Cymbidium Lowianum with five 
strong flower spikes; Vanda tricolor, Vanda suavis, 
and Vanda coerulea. The next house, which is 
warmer, contains a mixed lot of plants. 
On entering I was startled with a most remarkable 
variety of the charming Cattleya exoniensis superba, 
or what was originally known as Veitch’s long 
bulbed and long-leaved variety ; this is a magnificent 
plant, and has four very large flowers on a spike, pre¬ 
senting one of the best sights of Orchid flowers I 
have yet seen; there are three distinct varieties of 
C. exoniensis, and this is unquestionably the finest. 
I believe this has not flowered so finely since the 
Edinburgh exhibition in 1876, when the large plant 
was exhibited. Some very fine varieties of the 
handsome Cattleya aurea were in full flower, one of 
which had five large flowers on a spike. The 
Laslia purpuratas look grand, having made strong 
growths, and have many flower sheaths. Laelia 
purpurata Schroderiana, L. purpurata Russelliana, 
L. purpurata alba are also conspicuous specimens, 
Cattleya maxima was well represented in full bloom ; 
also the pretty C. Bowringeana. 
The Dendrobiums are a feature in this house, and 
some of the choicest forms of D. nobile are to be 
seen in such condition as would do many Orchid 
lovers, as well as growers, good to see them. 
D. nobile Cooksoni, D. nobile nobilius, Dendro- 
bium nobile (Hardy’s variety), D. nobile album, 
D. nobile Cypherii, D. nobile Sanderiana, and a 
handsome Dendrobium (Sir William Marriott’s 
Seedling) not yet named, but which will be in full 
flower shortly. D. venus, a lovely hybrid, between 
D. nobile and D. Falconerii, D. cassiope, D. 
Schneiderianum, D. Leechianum, D. Ainsworthii 
roseum, and the beautiful D. splendidissimum 
grandiflorum, are included in the collection. A fine 
form of Vanda Sanderiana was in full flower with 
five spikes and thirty-seven flowers. The Cypripe- 
diums look well. A fine form of C. Leeanum super¬ 
bum variety giganteum is a grand acquisition to the 
collection, the dorsal sepal measuring 3 in. across, 
and nearly all white. C. Morganiae, C. praestans, 
C. vexillarium superbum, C. Bartelii, C. aenanthum 
superbum are also fine. In full flower were C, 
Sedenii, C. calurum, C. Sedenii candidulum, C, 
Sedenii cardinale and C. Sedenii Ainsworthii, C, 
Harrisianum superbum, andmany forms ofC. insigne, 
of which the old “insigne Maulei” is still the best, 
Altogether they make a good show for this season of 
the year. Laelia grandis tenebrosa, a very dark variety, 
looks well amongst the various Orchids in bloom. 
Passing through a small conservatory, nicely 
arranged with miscellaneous plants, such as Azaleas, 
Camellias, Daphnes, Chrysanthemums, and other 
showy things, we come to the house where many 
plants are resting in the cooler part. Here are 
many fine examples of Dendrobium Wardianum 
giganteum, with enormous bulbs, both thick and 
long; D. Wardianum album, a fine plant, will 
shortly be in bloom ; D. crassinode Barberianum, 
D. crassinode album, D. Bensoni majus, D. Ben- 
soni nigrum, a very dark form ; D. tortile roseum, 
D. Devonianum album, D. Falconeri giganteum. A 
very fine piece of Laelia autumnalis alba is doing 
well; it has made large bulbs, and is rooting freely. 
Laelia Dayana superba and L. praestans are very fine, 
and do well at the cool end of the intermediate 
house. A small fernery, which is well kept, brings 
us to the end of the range of houses. One can spend 
a very pleasant afternoon with Mr. Wells in his 
Orchid houses viewing and admiring all the different 
subjects. He is a keen Orchidist, and no one could 
better appreciate a good plant or a fine growth, 
especially when made under his own glass. It cer¬ 
tainly is a great pleasure to go through the houses, 
which are patterns of order and neatness. The 
plants are in the finest health, and many of them are 
simply marvels of high cultivation, and reflecting 
the greatest credit on Mr. Wells’ intelligent gardener, 
Mr. Hinde.— J. B. 
-—t-*- 
Coccocypselum Discolor.—Notwithstanding the un¬ 
wieldy length of the name, the plant itself is very 
ornamental in more ways than one, more especially 
when grown as a basket plant and suspended so 
as to show it off to advantage. The stems are 
slender and creeping, and fall loosely over the 
sides of the basket when so grown. The leaves 
are covered on both surfaces with violet hairs, 
and are frequently of the same hue on the under¬ 
surface, hence the specific name. Flowers are pro¬ 
duced in axillary clusters, but they are by no means 
conspicuous or ornamental, though they are followed 
by large deep blue berries, which are both unusually 
conspicuous and highly interesting. The plant re¬ 
quires stove treatment, but beyond that propagation 
and culture is of the easiest. Fruits are produced 
with the greater freedom when the plant is hung up 
near the glass, - ' 
