414 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 29, 1896. 
nebulosum candidulum, and O. mulus. The latter 
was throwing up three spikes from one pseudo-bulb 
—a very rare occurrence and an evidence of good 
cultural treatment. O. humeanum is also a favourite 
here, as it is with a large number of cultivators. 
Suspended from the back wall of a large lean-to 
house was a massive and healthy piece of Dendro- 
bium Falconeri in a basket. Well exposed to sun¬ 
light, it seemed to enjoy the situation. Brassia 
lawrenceana bore a quantity of graceful and telling 
flowers, with segments 4 in. to 6 in. in length. 
Fragrant as ever was the white-flowered Odonto- 
glossum pulchellum majus. A large plant of 
Masdevallia bella, suspended in a basket, is hardly 
ever out of flower. The autumn-flowering Oncidium 
ornithorhynchum album has also found its way here. 
The Dendrobium house contained a large number of 
the more showy, useful, and popular species. At the 
time of our visit D. nobile was most plentifully 
represented, and that, too, in great variety. The 
beautiful D. thyrsiflorum, with its golden and snow- 
white contrasting colours, was conspicuous. Nor 
was the primrose D. luteolum devoid of interest. 
Elsewhere, in a large span-roofed house, the showy 
flowers of the long-stemmed Oncidium splendidum 
confronted us at the entrance. Though not yet in 
flower, very choice are Laelia tenebrosa pittiana, 
Cattleya Mossiae Pitt’s var., C. Lord Rothschild, and 
Schomburgkia chionodora kimballiana. A large plant 
of Laelia anceps in a basket was well furnished with 
bloom, and near by was the choice L. a sanderi'ana, 
one of the best varieties of this Laelia. Large, well- 
grown plants of Cymbidium lowianum are well 
worthy of the space they occupy, for they bloom 
in succession. The house was brightened with 
numerous pieces of Dendrobium wardianum. The 
same may be said of Laelia harpophylla, with its 
bright scarlet flowers and white lip. L. cinnabarina 
was also preparing to flower. The rare L. mono- 
phylla is rather a shy bloomer. 
Cypripediums are well represented here, including 
such fine hybrids as C. Barteti, C. Lathami, C. 
Calypso, C. harrisianum, and others in bloom. The 
species are represented by C. chamberlainianum 
and C. Schomburgki, also in bloom. Others will 
come crowding on presently. In the same house we 
noted Maxillaria grandiflora, a fine piece of Odonto- 
glossum Edwardi, with panicles 4 ft. to 5 ft. long and 
proportionately strong, and Epidendrum Wallisii. 
The Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis) are also grown in 
some variety. Here we passed through another 
house of Dendrobiums, including D. nobile nobilius, 
D. n. Cooksoni, D. Hildebrandtii, and the hybrid D. 
Venus. 
We are now in a position to illustrate the splendid 
addition to this collection, and which we announced 
last week as “ a valuable Orchid.’’ As far as we 
know it is the finest variety of Odontoglossum 
wilckeanum in Britain, and we propose to name it 
O. wilckeanum pittianum. The ground colour of the 
whole flower is light yellow, but the various segments 
are almost completely covered with rich, dark 
crimson-purple blotches of large size. The edges of 
the petals are jagged and the lip finely fringed. A 
reference to the accompanying illustration of a 
bloom—natural size—will show at a glance the 
peculiar characteristics and the great beauty of this 
variety. 
Stove and greenhouse plants, as well as Ferns, are 
not neglected here, but the Orchids are the pre¬ 
dominant features of this place, and the greatest 
favourites. 
■t*- 
SNOWDROPS AT KEW. 
We are prepared to see things done on a large scale 
at Kew, and are therefore in no way surprised when 
any particular feature, either in the under glass or 
outside departments, rivets our attention and claims 
the praise due to its merits. Of late years con¬ 
siderable attention has been paid to the planting of 
hardy spring flowers in bold conspicuous masses in 
our great national garden, and visitors thither are 
just now enjoying the first of the grand floral displays 
of the season. The humble Snowdrop has been com¬ 
missioned in its tens of thousands to fulfil this mission, 
nd nobly is it so fulfilling it. 
Passing up the Broad Walk from the main entrance 
adjoining Kew Green a glittering sheen of pearly- 
white reveals itself on the left hand side, close to the 
hardy fernery, that regarded in the mass is simply 
gorgeous. Closer inspection shows a multitude of 
sturdy well-flowered plants, each and all of them 
looking as happy as could well be. In addition to 
this magnificent mass there are numerous other plants 
dotted here and there amongst the Ferns themselves, 
where they help to lighten up the grey old stones and 
in a measure to hide their nakedness. 
This association of spring-flowering bulbs with 
hardy Ferns is an exceedingly happy idea, and one 
well worthy of extensive imitation, both in our public 
parks and gardens and in smaller private establish¬ 
ments. Nothing can be more beautiful in its way 
than a well-built and well-kept hardy fernery during 
the growing season, but on the other hand a some¬ 
what dreary and not infrequently untidy appearance 
prevails during the months of late autumn, winter 
and early spring. Something should, therefore, be 
done to enliven things somewhat, and the introduction 
of such a subject as the Snowdrop offers itself as one 
of the best possible means of doing so. No incon¬ 
gruity whatever is apparent, for the modest, yet 
intrepid child of spring never looks better than when 
its surroundings are of a natural and informal 
character. The partial shade, too, in which our 
hardy Ferns revel, suits the Snowdrop down to the 
ground ; in fact once the bulbs are planted they will 
look after themselves, and but little fear need be 
entertained on their behalf. 
--?*■- 
ROYAL GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
The annual general meeting of the subscribers to 
this fund was held at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet 
Street, London, on the 21st inst., under the pre¬ 
sidency of Wm. Marshall, Esq. There was a larger 
attendance than usual, including Messrs. H. J. 
Veitch, W. Poupart, A. W. G. Weeks, J. Laing, H. 
Herbst, W. Roupell, H. B. May, J. F. McLeod, T. 
W. Saunders, R. Dean, A. Dean, W. Bates, G. W. 
Cummins, G. Gordon, W. G. Head, H. J. Jones, B. 
Wynne, and A. F. Barron, the Hon. Secretary. 
Mr. A. F. Barron read the minutes of the last 
annual general meeting, which were passed. The 
chairman then read the report of the committee and 
the accounts for the past year as follows :— 
“The executive committee, in presenting their 
eighth annual report, have again the pleasure of 
congratulating the subscribers to the Royal Gar¬ 
deners’ Orphan Fund on the closing of another 
successful financial year, and on the continued pros¬ 
perity of the charity. The income derived from 
annual subscriptions still, however, gives the com¬ 
mittee some anxiety, the past year’s receipts again 
showing a slight decrease. The committee earnestly 
appeal to gardeners for more generous support of 
the fund. 
“ By the lamented death of the President, the 
Rt. Hon. Sir Julian Goldsmid, Bart., M.P., the 
Royal Gardeners’ Orphan Fund has lost a munificent 
supporter, and his loss is deeply deplored by every 
friend of the charity. It is with the greatest 
satisfaction the committee are privileged to announce 
that His Grace the Duke of Bedford has been 
pleased to accept the presidency of the fund. The 
committee have further to mourn the death of an 
old member of the executive committee in the 
person of Mr. John Wills, who was, from the 
establishment of the fund, one of its most generous 
supporters. 
“ The committee have gratefully to acknowledge 
the recept of £171 9s. from the ‘William Thomson 
Memorial ’ Committee, being the proportion of the 
amount collected which was voted to the Orphan 
Fund as a memorial of Mr. William Thomson, of 
Clovenfords, a warm supporter of charity, and a 
distinguished member of the gardening community. 
The right of voting in connection with this memorial 
will be exercised by the Royal Caledonian Horticul¬ 
tural Society for fifteen years. The committee also 
most thankfully acknowledge the receipt of a legacy 
of £ioc from Mr. George Taber; and one of £5 5s. 
from Mr. J. Taplin. 
“ The annual festival dinner, which was presided 
over by Mr. Harry J. Veitch, proved specially 
satisfactory, the sum of £592 nett being thereby 
realised. A most cordial vote of thanks is hereby 
tendered to Mr. Veitch for his noble generosity to 
the charity at all times, and for his able advocacy 
of the claims of the fund on that occasion. 
“ Since the foundation of the charity in 1887, in 
commemoration of Her Majesty’s Jubilee, seventy 
orphan children have been elected to receive the 
benefits which it confers. Seven of these have been 
retired, owing to the age limit, and two from other 
causes, leaving sixty-one as the number of recipients 
at the end of the year, to which the committee 
recommend the election of ten more this day. 
“ In addition to the payment of the regular 
allowances, applications were made during the year 
on behalf of some of the children retiring, for 
further assistance, according to Rule XIII , and 
special grants have been made in three cases amount¬ 
ing in all to £21, with the happiest results. 
“ Mr. N. N. Sherwood, in addition to his generous 
support of the fund in the past, has very kindly 
undertaken to pay to the Royal Gardeners' Orphan 
Fund the sum of £13 a year in accordance with 
Rule XII., for the maintenance of the child 
Frederick Barson, as a memorial of the late Mrs. 
Emma Sherwood. 
" The members of the committee who retire by 
rotation are Messrs. Head, Laing, Nicholson, Osman, 
Poupart, Smith, Turner, and Walker, and all being 
eligible, they offer themselves for re-election, with 
the exception of Mr. Turner, who retires. Mr. 
Reynolds, Acton, is nominated to the vacancy caused 
by the death of Mr. John Wills, and Mr. J. Lyne, 
Foxbury Gardens, Chislehurst, in the place of Mr. 
H. Turner. Also the retiring auditor Mr. M. 
Rowan, and the treasurer, Mr. T. B. Haywood, are 
again nominated. 
“ The work in connection with the administration 
of the fund having greatly increased during the 
past few years, the committee have had the matter 
under consideration, and recommend that a paid 
secretary to the fund be appointed. 
“ The committee recommend that Mr. A. F. 
Barron be the secretary of the fund at an annual 
payment of one hundred guineas.’’ 
The cash statement for the year (which we here 
summarise) shows that the subscriptions and 
donations received amounted to £623 10s. 4d., 
whilst legacies and memorials added £289 14s. to 
the fund ; the annual dinner secured £719 9s..4d.; 
card collection and advertisements in list, £66 is. 2d.; 
with dividends and interest, £203 19s. 3d. These 
items, added to the balance of £829 13s. yd., with 
which the year commenced, bring up the total 
credits to £2,732 7s. 8d. 
The sum expended in allowances, grants, &c., was 
£832 15s., the annual dinner cost £127 7s., and the 
printing and ordinary working expenses were £154 
ns. 6d. Stock was purchased for £1,017 12s. 3d., 
leaving the balance on deposit and in hand as £600 
is. nd. The statement further shows that there is 
an amount of £8,570 6s. iod. invested in stock to 
the credit of the fund. Such sound business and 
universally-known men as Messrs. John Fraser, of 
Leyton, and M. Rowan, of Clapham, certified that 
they had inspected the securities, examined the 
books, and found everything to be correct. 
Mr. A. Dean asked whether the one hundred 
guineas proposed for the secretary should include 
the fifty-two guineas already allowed for the 
secretary's clerk, to which the chairman replied in the 
affirmative. Mr. H. J. Veitch asked what the Consols 
cost, to which no answer could be given without the 
books. Mr. Roupell also said something on the 
matter, after which the report was adopted 
unanimously. 
The Chairman regretted having to announce that 
Dr. Masters had slipped and hurt himself on 
Thursday, the 20th inst., and was unable to attend 
the meeting. 
The next business of the meeting was to appoint 
officers for the ensuing year. Mr. Poupart pro¬ 
posed, and Mr. Miles seconded, that T. B. Haywood, 
Esq., be re-elected treasurer, and thanked for his 
services during the past year. Mr. R. Dean pro¬ 
posed, and Mr. McLeod seconded, that Mr. Rowan 
be re-elected as auditor. Mr. Wynne proposed, and 
Mr. Poupart seconded, that the retiring members, 
Messrs. Head, Laing, Nicholson, Osman, Poupart, 
Smith, and Walker, be re-elected as members of the 
committee. Mr. Bates proposed that Mr. Geo. 
Reynolis be elected in place of Mr. John Wills, and 
Mr. J. Lyne in place of Mr. Turner, who retires. 
The Chairman proposed that Mr. A. F. Barron be 
the secretary of the fund, at an annual payment of 
one hundred guineas. He said that Mr. Barren 
was now in a different position from what he was 
last year, that his work for the fund had been ex¬ 
cellent though purely honorary, and that his books 
were in good order. Mr. Weeks seconded this pro¬ 
position, which was heartily supported by Mr. 
Roupell and Mr. A. Dean. All of the above pro- 
