July 4,1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
701 
lounge or pleasaunce of idle hours for the population 
living close by.” The general public care more for 
•* the latest hideous abortion in Chrysanthemums ” 
than they do for the special prehistoric flora of the 
land they live in. 
Drought in the South of Ireland.—The crop pro¬ 
spects in the New Ross district, Co. Wexford, are 
rather gloomy in the case of spring sown subjects. 
Those that stcod over the winter are better. 
Mangolds are progressing very slowly. Potatos on 
the contrary look well. 
A big Cauliflower—When on his travels in [ndia 
and passing through the museums at the Botanic 
Garden, Saharunpur, Mr. James H. Veitch learnt 
that amongst vegetables, Cauliflower Veitch's 
Autum Giant succeeds admirably in that part of the 
world. He was naturally surprised, however, when 
he came upon a model, representing a head of this 
popular vegetable, 2^ ft. in diameter. 
Centenary of the Dahlia.—Dahlia variabilis is 
stated to have reached our shores in 1789 ; but an 
Italian journal says that Cervantes only returned 
from Mexico in 1790, bringing with him some roots 
to Madrid. In 1800, it was introduced to France 
where it was greatly improved, and from thence 
scattered or disseminated over the whole of Europe. 
For that reason Continental writers suggest that 
1900 would be the proper time to celebrate the 
centenary of its introduction to Europe, and that 
enterprising and intelligent cultivators should make 
preparations to carry out this celebration in a fitting 
manner. 
Schenley Park Pittsburg —Many alterations and 
improvements are in the course of being effected in 
this American park, by Mr. Wm. Falconer, the new 
superintended. The park extends to 4^® acres, 
much of which is hilly, with a stubborn, rocky sub¬ 
soil. Much-shrubbery will be planted similar in 
character to that at Dosoris, formerly under Mr. 
Falconer’s care. Thousands of Daffodils are to be 
planted in the dells and on the hillsides ; and it is 
said that the citizens may roam out of the city and 
pick the flowers unmolested. A huge conservatory 
is now in course of construction. The plants from 
the “World’s Fair” are located in another huge 
conservatory here and are now ;n vigorous growth. 
A Plague of Rabbits.—Twenty thousand rabbits 
in one day, and no guns either. This record belongs 
to California, where the damage done by jack-rabbits 
is so great that periodically an elaborate extermina¬ 
tion takes place. A corral or close wattle is built, 
and from the opening, about 50 ft. wide, a pair of 
fences diverge for over three miles, forming an 
immense funnel. The whole population then turns 
out with whips and bludgeons and proceeds to beat. 
The rabbits rush wildly in every direction only to be 
turned into, the fences, and once there the agony 
becomes tenser and tenser as the walls close in, until 
at the corral end there is gathered an immense 
swarm of shrieking rabbits, which drown even the 
uproar of the mob. Then the slaughter takes place. 
The seething mass of rabbits and people was photo¬ 
graphed, and the description reminds one of the 
wild goose slaughter in “ Kolguey.” 
Orchids at the Sale Rooms.—There was a large 
attendance of buyers, and the sale was altogether 
brisker on the 26th ult. than on the same day of 
the previous week at the Central Sale Rooms 
of Messrs. Protheroe & Morris, Cheapside. The 
bidding for an extra dark variety of Cattleya 
Mossiae was very lively, and the plant was ulti¬ 
mately knocked down to A. H. Smee, Esq., The 
Grange, Carshalton, for 20 gs. Another fine thing 
that caused a sore place in the eye of several would- 
be buyers, was a remarkably fine variety of Cattleya 
gigas. The lip, side lobes and tube were all of an 
intense crimson-purple, except the very narrow 
margin to the lip. The eye spots in the throat were 
very pronounced. This was knocked down to 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, for 12 gs. R. 
I. Measures, Esq., Flodden Road, Camberwell, 
secured a bigeneric hybrid Laeliocattleya for 8 gs. 
It was raised from Cattleya Mossiae aurea crossed 
with Laelia purpurata schroderiana. Cattleya 
Warscewiczii was knocked down for 4J gs. and C. 
W. saturata for 7 gs. Imported, unestablished 
pieces of C. Mendelii fetched from 1 g. to 4 gs. each. 
A small piece of the curious but distant-looking 
Aeranthus grandiflora fetohed a guinea. 
Somewhat Paradoxical—A gardener who saw a 
boy stealing his fruit, vowed that if he caught him 
he would lock him up in the ice-house and warm his 
jacket. 
Seeds of Sweet Peas— Europe, it is said, hardly 
counts for anything in the production of seeds of 
this popular subject for the trade, as compared with 
America. 
Colours of Flowers.—Herr Schobler finds that of 
every 1,000 species of flowers, 284 of them are white, 
226 yellow, 220 red, 141 blue, 75 violet, 36 green, 12 
orange, 4 brown and 2 black. 
The World’s Fair Medals and Diplomas which 
were awarded in 1893 have just been received by 
the exhibitors entitled to the same. The style, 
finish, and general excellence of the same are so 
good that the winners have to a certain degree been 
compensated for having to wait so long. 
Habits of the Tiger Beetle.—At the Linnean Society 
on May 7th, Mr. F. Enoch exhibited a series of 
lantern-slides illustrative of the metamorphosis and 
habits of the Tiger Beetle, Cicindela campestris. 
He described the peculiar position of the mandibles 
of the larva as adapted to its mode of capturing prey; 
the formation of the burrow ; the spinous processes 
on the 8th segment of the abdomen used for support¬ 
ing itself in the burrow ; the mode of ejecting small 
stones or other obstacles met with in the course of 
work; and lastly, the changes incidental to the 
pupal state, and the adaptation of the burrow to the 
altered requirements of its inmate. 
The Scilly Isles as a resort for tourists.—The flower 
growing industry in these islands has been a very 
prosperous one for some years past, but there is a 
danger that the production of flowers may be over¬ 
done, and thereby rendered unremunerative. A 
correspondent of the Times has been suggesting that 
the Great Western Railway Company should buy up 
the existing steamer service, and organise a service 
of their own in the same spirited way in which it 
carries on the Channel Island traffic. By doing this 
with the special object of encouraging tourists, as 
well as shipping the flower harvest, the islanders 
would have something else to fall back upon in case 
the production of flowers should in the future exceed 
the demand. The railway company would thus 
benefit the Scilly islanders as well as itself. 
w. Cooper, Limited —The Annual Sports and 
Beanfeast of this firm were held at Kingswood, 
Surrey. The employees met at their works, 747 to 
755, Old Kent Road, on Saturday morning 20th ult., 
at 8 o'clock, and accompanied by the employees of 
their nursery at Feltham, were driven in five four- 
horse brakes, artistically arranged with a floral dis¬ 
play from their nursery stock at Feltham. The 
weather was remarkably fine, and therefore conducive 
to a pleasant drive to and from Kingswood, and also 
complete enjoyment whilst there. Upon arriving at 
Kingswood the sports were at once commenced and 
proceeded with in good style, Mr. Belsten taking 
the part of starter efficiently. An exceptionally good 
dinner was spread in a tent, erected on the grounds 
of the Hotel, at 1.30 p.m., and to which 107 sat 
down ; also at 6 p.m. a substantial meat tea was pro¬ 
vided, after which in a complimentary speech Mr. 
W. Cooper expressed hts pleasure in being present 
amongst them upon another festive occasion, and 
also made some statements pointing out the rapid 
growth of the business during the past twelve months, 
one feature being the dispatch of over 800 green 
houses, independently of rustic and iron houses, in 
excess of last years out-turn. He also complimented 
the Feltham branch upon this their first assembly 
with the firm on such an occasion, and he was 
pleased to say that, although only in their infancy, 
and having had great difficulties to contend 
with, which is only usual for new enterprises, 
they were making very fair progress. Mr. Belcher 
for Old Kent Road and Mr. Pooler for 
Feltham, briefly responded, and the “ Health and 
Prosperity of the Firm ” was then proposed, and 
three cheers most heartily given for Mr. W. Cooper 
whose presence was highly appreciated by one and 
all. The party then took their leave of the host and 
hostess and arrived back at Old Kent Road about 
n 15 p.m., all being perfectly well satisfied with 
their day’s outing. The results of sports as follows : 
250 yds. running race.— V. Cooper (Feltham), 1; 
Welch (Old Kent Road), 2; Scace (Old Kent Road), 3; 
Knight (Old Kent Road), o. 200 yds. sprint race. 
—Baker (Old Kent Road), 1 ; Springle (Feltham), 2 ; 
Howard (Old Kent Road), 3 ; Matthews (Feltham), o; 
Ivett (Old Kent Road), o. Flat jumping match. — 
Scace (Old Kent Road), 1 (14 ft. 6 in.); Tickner (Old 
Kent Road), 2 (13 ft. 11 in.); V. Cooper (Feltham), 3 
(13 ft. 8 in ). 200 YDS. BOYS RUNNING MATCH.— 
Parton (Old Kent Road), 1 ; Gregory (Old Kent 
Road), 2; Cornwall (Old Kent Road), 3. 100 yds. 
boys race. —Simkins (Old Kent Road), 1 ; Master 
T. W. Cooper (Old Kent Road), 2; Borrington 
(Feltham), 3. Cricket : Horticultural v. Flori- 
cultural. —This was thought to be a good thing for 
the Floricultural but it resulted in an easy win 
for their opponents by five runs and nine wickets, 
Captain Piper in grand form taking seven wickets 
for six runs and Tickner two wickets for two runs, 
J. Welch, wicket-keeper, doing admirable work- 
Walking match. —Scace (Old Kent Road), 1; Alder, 
Allum, Welsman, tie. Tug-of-war. —Ten of London 
men beat ten of Feltham men. 
- » ■- 
ORCHID NOTES & GLEANINGS, 
By The Editor. 
Aenanth us grand iflora.—Occasionally this distinct 
and very interesting Orchid is classed under the 
genus Angraecum, but the Genera Plantarum regards 
it as very distinct, both from that and from Mystacid- 
ium and Oeonia. It is a native of Madagascar 
where only one other Aeranthus is known to science. 
The plant is neat in habit, with light green leaves ; 
and usually throws up a flower stalk bearing a soli¬ 
tary bloom of large size, but occasionally the scape 
elongates and bears several flowers in succession. 
These are white with pale yellow tails to the sepals, 
which greatly increase the size of the bloom. The 
curiously formed lip is furnished with an upturned 
greenish-yellow spur. Altogether it possesses a 
peculiar fascination of its own The species 
flowered recently in the nursery of Mr. P. McArthur, 
4, Maida Vale, W. 
Laelia anceps crawshayana —On p. 674 we 
compared L. anceps Whiffeni to the above and the 
context would indicate that the latter had been 
certificated, whereas such has not been the case. 
The slip had got into our notes somehow and we did 
not detect the mistake till De B. Crawshay, Esq , 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks, wrote and pointed out the 
error. On turning to our record in The Gardening 
World, we find that L anceps crawshayana was 
accorded a First-class Certificate by the Royal 
Horticultural Society, on January 15th, 1895. The 
plant in question bore five huge flowers on a scape 
2\ ft. high. The sepals were rosy, and the petals a 
shade darker; but the lamina of the lip was of an 
intense purple, and the side lobes and edges of the 
tube only slightly paler. The interior of the tube 
was beautifully lined with dark purple. L. a 
Whiffeni, we are assured, does not come up to this 
description, and as the memory is not always clear 
on the point after a lapse of eighteen months, we will 
not dispute the same. Nevertheless, we hope that 
on some future occasion we may be able to compare 
the two side by side when in bloom. That is the 
best way of making a comparison, and the most just 
to the fine varieties in question. 
---tf—- 
ORCHIDS FROM ROSEMOUNT, PERTH. 
A BOX of Orchids containing some well-grown 
samples has reached us from Mr. James Lindsay, 
gardener to John M. Fraser, Esq., Rosemount, Perth. 
Amongst others were two fine varieties of Odonto- 
glossum crispum, with large, round, beautifully 
crisped flowers. One had tinted sepals and a few 
spots on the lip. The other was O. c. guttatum with 
several clear purple blotches on the sepals and a large 
purplish-brown blotch on the lip, the rest being pure 
white. This is the second plant of O. c. guttatum, 
which turned up amongst a dozen imported plants 
obtained from the Liverpool Horticultural Co., last 
year. A splendid form of Oncidium, known in the 
trade as O. crispum grandiflorum, was acquired at 
the same time. The flower spike is 4^ ft. long, 
bearing thirty-seven huge flowers, much waved and 
crisped, and of a rich chestnut colour, with a yellow 
blotch at the base of the lip and the upper sepal of 
a dark olive-brawn. 
