370 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 8, 1896. 
would not be treated to so much heat now as was 
the case some thirty or thirty-five years ago. The 
writer can well remember that about the same time 
the Phalaenopsis family was represented at Clapton 
by a single plant, and this one used to be covered 
with a bell glass. How different to the sight often 
seen there since! Yet those of to-day are grown 
within a few yards only of the particular house, 
which, I believe, still stands, where the single 
representative was allowed to linger. 
However, my present purpose is Cypripediums, 
and to these I now return Of the order in which 
the imported species came over, after those already 
mentioned, I can hardly now recollect, but C. Stonei 
was one of the early ones. This was imported from 
Borneo as, probably, Lowi, and distributed as such. 
When, however, the first flowers opened, or, to be 
literally correct, were assisted to open, it was found 
to be quite distinct from that species, and in due 
time was named by Professor Reichenbach in 
honour of the gardener who, for so long a time, had 
charge of Mr. John Day’s collection. I think C. 
Dayi had flowered a year or two earlier, and so that 
would have prevented the much more interesting 
form being called in honour of that gentleman. C. 
javanicum, C. virens, and C purpuratum appeared 
in collections about this time, and shortly after C. 
Hookerae, C. bullenianum, and C. (Selenipedium) 
Pearcei. 
Of the order in which others appeared it is not 
necessary now to speak, and, without referring to 
records, one is apt to make errors and so be mislead¬ 
ing, but of the rapidity with which one form has 
followed another, in regard to imported species, and 
the many additions through hybridisation, it is 
hardly needful to speak. Suffice it to say I have be¬ 
fore me a list compiled by a trade establishment in 
which over 990 forms, species, and varieties are 
separately named, and also a private compilation 
giving some 800 ; most of these later ones, however, 
are included in the larger list. To say that all are 
distinct enough to be recognised at first sight by an 
ordinary grower is, perhaps, expecting a little too 
much. Still, almost all have their individual points 
of difference, which can be pointed out by one 
specially devoted to them. Since these lists were 
made up many fine forms have flowered, and fresh 
ones still will continually appear. 
Of that rare form, so rare in those days that but 
one or two plants only were to be found in the north 
of England, the writer can well remember journeying 
to Fenniscowles, near Blackburn, to see the fine 
plant of C. spicerianum grown by Mr. Thompson, 
gardener to F. Yates, Esq. What a rarity, and, 
withal, what a pleasure to see it in flower ! I always 
seem to associate Blackstone Edge with C. spiceria¬ 
num, the former place some 1,500 years old, being 
on the old Roman road from Lancashire through to 
Yorkshire, and the rare Slipper plant being gazed 
upon there for the first time. It is hardly wise to 
repeat the many recent additions; still, C. roth- 
schildianum, C.Curtisii, C. bellatulum, C.Morganiae, 
C. oenanthum superbum, C. Galatea, and C. 
leucorrhodum are but representatives of the vast 
number now grown in many collections. 
Some of the latest hybrids are even finer and 
more showy. I forbear giving names, as perhaps I 
might even then omit some of the very best; and 
what may be still in store it is doubtful to speculate. 
Still, all are famous for the length of time the blooms 
remain fresh ; and if the range of colours is some¬ 
what restricted, yet the singular and sometimes 
grotesque form, the many shades and blendings of 
colour, and remarkable spotting and marbling of 
portions of the flowers, with a lustrous, shining hue 
over all, or a portion, combine to give intense 
pleasure if the taste of the beholder runs in the way 
of admiration for this remarkable and interesting 
family. The more recent hybrids are still rare, and 
seldom seen; and like C. Schlimi of old, once 
seen never forgotten. To the many, these choice 
varieties will, for a long time, be difficult to obtain; 
and so a waiting expectancy must be just half the 
pleasure of an ultimate securing. Still, there are 
many kinds plentiful enough, whether species, 
varieties or hybrids, so that no one need be deterred 
from obtaining some score or two of perfectly dis¬ 
tinct and very attractive sorts. 
I am sending you with this, a number of flowers 
cut from plants I have here. You will notice that 
in a large measure they seem to run in one type, yet 
the colouring, form, markings, and general aspect are 
as different as many so-called species. These are all 
the products of crosses effected between C. insigne, 
C. spicerianum, C. insigne Maulei, C. i. violaceum 
punctatum, and the reverse crosses also. You will 
observe C. spicerianum has come up amongst them, 
and others have blendings of the parents just named. 
No. 11 consider especially good,and as it has been open 
some ten weeks, its lasting quality is well shown. This 
one, and, in fact, all I now send, are noticeable for 
the broad upper sepal, so large a portion of which is 
of a clear cold white. These, with many others, 
during the past three months have been singularly 
striking and much commented upon by those who 
have seen them. No. 2 is different but very 
beautiful; it has more of C. spicerianum in it as 
regards form ; the dorsal sepal is, however, as much 
spotted as the best C. insigne violaceum punctatum. 
I should much like your opinion of those I now send, 
of C. pitcherianum cambridgeanum and C. radiosum, 
which are hybrids between C. harrisianum crossed 
with C. spicerianum and C. lawrenceanum crossed 
with C. spicerianum respectively. I have now no 
flowers open. I have had a quantity of the latter, 
having the upper sepal over 2 in. across. I find no 
difficulty in raising young seedlings, and new have 
hundreds in thumb pots or pricked out into pans, 
and quantities just up in the pots of growing plants, 
ready for that operation. 
When you visited us a few weeks ago these came 
under your cognizance, but, as[the shades of evening 
drew on quickly ere all had been seen, perhaps with 
a clearer light the flowers now seen again may 
exhibit shades of beauty that could not be observed 
at the time of your inspection.— W. Swan, BvstoBi. 
[The box containing the flowers of the hybrids and 
seedlings mentioned by Mr. Swan reached us in good 
condition. There were twelve blooms all numbered 
and quite distinct from one another, which would 
suggest that good strains of Cypripediums might be 
raised from seeds just like annuals, the only difference 
being that the Cypripediums take longer time to 
bloom. Most of the flowers sent were of enormous 
size, but Nos. 1, 8, and 12 were particularly 
noticeable in this respect. In 1 and 9, spotting was 
entirely absent except on the mid rib. On the con¬ 
trary, the dorsal sepal of 2, 4, 5, 10, and n, were 
handsomely spotted, particularly the latter which 
had its petals spotted as well. The dorsal sepal was 
remarkably rolled back at the sides in 3, 5, 7,10, and 
11, resembling a funnel when seen from the back. 
There was not a single flower that was not well 
worth growing. No. 6 was a seedling of C. 
spicerianum, but far superior to the type. The 
yellow petals of No. 1, and the white dorsal sepal 
were very choice, but one of the most charmingly 
built flowers was that labelled No. 2 ; all parts were 
of good substance and the hooded dorsal sepal re¬ 
called the finest type of Sweet Peas at the present 
day. We do not know of a hybrid named C. pitcher¬ 
ianum cambridgeanum; but there is a beautiful 
variety named C. harrisianum cambridgeanum, the 
dorsal sepal of which is suffused with a vivid purple 
tint very like the colour seen in C. oeDanthum 
superbum. The dorsal sepal is also the finest 
portion of C.iradiosum; indeed the late Professor 
Reichenbach described it as la piece de resistance of the 
whole flower. It is white, with about 12 mauve- 
purple veins and beautiful.—E d.] 
-«*»-- 
SPRING FLOWERS 4T TOTTENHAM. 
Although we are well within the period of the year 
over which chill winter reigns supreme, still we are 
not entirely without representatives of the bright 
world of Flora, even in cheerless January. True it 
is that these representatives are but few in number, 
as compared with those that make their appearance 
later on in the season, but the very fact of their having 
but few competitors goes a great way to enhance 
their natural loveliness. Flowers are beautiful at 
all times, but they are simply irresistible in the early 
months of the year. Mr. T. S. Ware's nurseries at 
Hale Farm, Tottenham, N., have for long been famous 
for their floral wealth in the way of hardy plants. 
No matter at what season of the year a visit to them 
is made, there is always something to see, something 
to interest and enchant the lover of flowers. 
At the time of writing the list of plants in flower 
there is an especially long one. That the popular 
Christmas Roses, Helleborus niger, and its varieties 
are in fine form goes without saying. It is really 
astonishing the length of time that the flowers last in 
condition when they are given even a slight protec¬ 
tion from heavy rains that splash them with mire and 
dirt. They then last well into the season, when the 
Lenten Roses take their place, and keep up the 
succession for some considerable time longer. Lenten 
Roses is the name applied to the later-flowering 
species of Helleborus of which H. abchasicus, H. 
caucasicus, H. orientalis, and H. colchicus may be 
cited as samples. Of Snowdrops, too, there are 
several, the giant Galanthus Elwesii occupying a 
conspicuous place. Without any disparagement to 
the rest of its congeners, the place of honour among 
Snowdrops may fairly be claimed for this grand 
species, which, it may be remarked in passing, was in¬ 
troduced from Asia Minor about the year 1875. G. 
unguiculatus, G. byzantinus, and G. Ikariae are 
also in full bloom at the present time. The last- 
mentioned subject has long green leaves, not unlike 
those of G. Fosteri, the flowers being of medium size, 
and white, blotched with green. G. byzantinus hails 
from Turkey. The flowers are large, being fully one 
inch in length. One or two Fritillarias have also 
made their appearance above ground already, 
notably Fritillaria libanotica. This is one of the 
most handsome species of the genus. The leaves 
are extra large, and of a rich, glaucous green hue, 
whilst the flowers, which are above ordinary size, 
are lilac and pale yellow in colour, the chequerings 
being especially charming. F. oranensis, a species 
common to Algeria, is also well worthy of note. Its 
purple and light yellow flowers are very distinct. 
Several of the Irises also will claim the visitor's 
attention. Chief among these is 1. alata, a distinct 
and handsome species, common to the South of 
Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, and part of North- 
Western Africa. The foliage is stout, broad, and 
of great substance, and the flowers deep blue in 
colour with a very noticeable yellow blotch. The 
charming fragrance they exhale is by no means the 
least of their merits. The white variety, I. a. alba, 
is, if possible, more beautiful that the type, with 
which it shares in the powerful Lilac-like fragrance. 
The blooms are of the purest white with a con¬ 
spicuous rich golden lamina. I. a. speciosa is 
usually rather later in opening its flowers than the 
preceding, but this season all three may be seen 
displaying their charms at one and the same 
time. It is a deep azure in hue, and singularly 
attractive. I. histrioides bears a distinct resem¬ 
blance to I. Histrio, but differs from it in that the 
flowers are of a distinctly deeper blue, and are with¬ 
out the white markings characteristic of the latter 
species. It is also much hardier, and of rather more 
vigorous habit. The flowers are Violet-scented. I. 
Danfordiae is another gem of the first water. The 
colour of all the parts of the flower is a rich 
yellow, dark brown blotches, varying in size, being 
visible on the blade of the fall near the ridge, and 
along the claw. Hyacinthus azureus, with its charm¬ 
ing sky-blue flowers, must not pass without due 
mention. It is one of the earliest of the Hyacinths. 
Several pretty varieties of Colchicum bulboccdioides 
or to use the more correct name C. montanum, are 
really charming. Crocuses are worthily repre¬ 
sented by C. versicolor, C. suaveolens, and C. 
chrysanthus superbus. 
In the greenhouse there are likewise one or two 
early comers that well deserve honourable mention, 
although they are not quite brave enough to face 
the weather outside. Of these, Cyrtanthus Mackenii 
is producing large clusters of the pure white sweet- 
scented flowers, whilst C. lutescens is not less 
attractive with its profusion of pale yellow blooms. 
Lachenalia aurea gigantea brings to a close a list 
that, to say the least of it, contains many subjects 
thoroughly deserving of extensive cultivation. 
-.j-- 
FANCY PANSIES. 
A Selection of the Best Varieties. 
Having given a list of the best fancy Pansies, intro¬ 
duced in 1895, in a former issue, with descriptions, 
I now give a selection of twenty-four varieties, which 
have been sent out before 1895. The great 
popularity which the fancy Pansy has attained in 
recent years is due in a great measure to the efforts 
of those florists who make them the object of their 
care and attention, and who have given the public 
opportunities of viewing the flowers at the numerous 
Pansy exhibitions, now held all over the country. 
The following selection will be found to embrace all 
the leading varieties and the writer, having grown 
and exhibited Pansies for a considerable number of 
years, can fully testify as to their merit. 
