April 11,1896. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
513 
CYPRIPEDIUM FAIRIEANUM. 
The actual habitat of this Cypripedium has never 
been discovered. It turned up as far as is known at 
a sale at Stevens’ Rooms amongst some Orchids 
sent from Assam, and was, therefore, distributed 
amongst Orchid growers in various parts of the 
country. Mr. Reid, of Burnham, Somerset, was the 
first to flower it. In October, 1857, a plant was 
exhibited at a meeting of the Horticultural Society 
of London, by Mr. Fairie of Aigburth, near 
Liverpool, to whom Dr. Lindley dedicated the 
species. It has never since been imported, and has 
consequently always been a rare plant in cultivation, 
which is to be regretted, considering its great beauty. 
The plant is dwarf in habit, and the flowers of 
moderate size (see illustration). The upper sepal is 
pale green at the base, and white above this, but 
netted all over with veins of a beautiful purple. The 
petals are very peculiar in form, being deflexed and 
then curved like a buffalo’s horns ; they are yellowish- 
white with longitudinal and marginal streaks of 
purple. Fortunately some hybrids have been 
acquired by using the pollen of this species, and the 
progeny constitute some of the most beautiful we 
have, and are vigorous in growth. The type should 
be suspended from the roof of the Cattleya house 
where it can get air and light. 
- •!» — 
CULTURE OF THE FANCY PANSY. 
Any good garden soil will grow Pansies well, but 
for preference, a good loamy soil is best. The soil 
should be free from any impurities, and should be 
trenched in the autumn, or in winter, giving a light 
dressing of cow manure on the surface, working it 
thoroughly with the soil before planting. A position 
well sheltered from strong winds should be chosen- 
and also slightly shaded from the sun if possible, 
The latter end of March, or the beginning of April, 
is the best time to plant Pansies, as they get well 
established, and rooted into the soil before the 
summer commences, and are not so liable to die off. 
Plant them out 9 in. apart with five rows in each 
bed ; the plants should be put in as deep as possible, 
the roots being spread out, and the soil pressed 
firmly around each. Firm planting is an important 
point, as by so doing, sturdier plants are obtained, 
and generally give larger and better coloured 
flowers. After planting, the Pansies should be 
watered through a fine rose, care being taken not to 
wash the soil away from them. Each plant should 
be staked and tied neatly, as they are liable to be 
broken by strong winds early in the season. 
Slugs and snails are very destructive to young 
plants, and, consequently, a sharp look-out should be 
kept to catch them. A sprinkling of soot between 
the plants will keep them in check, and will also 
impart a healthy green colour to the foliage. In hot 
weather a top-dressing, consisting of three parts of 
turfy loam, to one part of well-decomposed cow 
manure, between the plants, is very beneficial. To 
grow exhibition flowers, the plants must be kept 
well thinned, never allowed more than three stems to 
each. The removal of the side shoots strengthens 
the main growths, and larger and finer flowers are 
the result. During the summer, green fly and red 
spider often appear on the plants. A solution of 
oz. of soft soap to a gallon of water, applied 
with a syringe, will keep them off the plants. This 
should never be applied previous to an exhibition, 
as the blooms get damaged with the soap. Watering 
must be attended to in dry weather, and an applica¬ 
tion of weak liquid manure once or twice during the 
season will greatly benefit the plants. If intended 
for competition the blooms must be protected from 
the weather by placing sashes over the plants ; small 
square boards, or pieces of tin fastened to short 
stakes, are also suitable. 
If the above directions are carefully followed out 
by the grower, good flowers for competition may 
reasonably be expected ; clean, well-coloured flowers 
of good size should be selected. When staging 
Pansies, care should be taken not to press the 
blooms flat on the stand. They should be arranged 
lightly so as to show the depth of the flower ; each 
petal should be laid out smoothly, the side petals 
meeting well in the centre. Avoid using varieties of 
similar colours as much as possible, care being taken 
to harmonise the colours for effect. Having given 
lists of the best varieties for competition, in former 
issues of The Gardening World, it will be unneces¬ 
sary for me to again touch upon them here. In 
conclusion, I would impress upon the inexperienced 
(for whom these notes are specially written) to give 
careful attention to minor details in the cultivation 
of the Pansy, as it is only by so doing that 
success is assured.— R. L. 
STANSTEAD PARK NURSERY. 
At this season of the year a great variety of flowers 
may be seen in the nursery of Messrs. J. Laing and 
Sons, Stanstead Park, Forest Hill. Later on most 
things get overpowered by the Begonias, at least in 
in the eyes of those who are not engrossed with this 
gorgeous summer-flowering race. The Begonias are 
on the way again in full force, being at present in 
the initial stages of growth. At present, however, 
maqy other subjects claim our attention. 
Orchids. 
No trace of the destructive fire that occurred some 
years ago amongst this class of plants is now to be 
seen. On the contrary we have never seen the 
Indian house filled with a more healthy lot of plants, 
particularly the Cypripediums. A good many of the 
latter are in bloom, but the rest are making vigorous 
growth and must continue the display for months to 
come. Amongst those in flower we noted C. 
chamberlainianum, C. villosum, C. Boxalli, C. 
callosum, and others in variety. The flowers of the 
last-named were notable for their great size, and the 
foliage for its variation. The beautifully-tessellated 
foliage of this species is well known, but some plants 
here show it very faintly, and in some instances the 
leaves are entirely of a dark green and leathery in 
character. The foliage in nearly every case is 
making vigorous growth. Phalaenopses are repre¬ 
sented by healthy specimens of P. schilleriana, P. 
amabilis and P. stuartiana all in bloom. Cymbidium 
eburneum always makes its presence felt by the 
grateful odour it diffuses through the house. 
Calanthe Regnieri continues to make its presence 
felt. 
The spring-flowering Cattleyas are in evidence, 
including the ubiquitous C. Trianaei and C. T. 
Schroderae in various shades of colour. A variety 
of the former is notable for the size of its flowers and 
its rich crimson-purple lip. C. citrina, suspended 
in pans, is in bud and seems happy. The Dendro- 
biums are making their presence felt on account 
of the brightness and liveliness of the colours. 
Particularly is this the case with D. primulinum 
giganteum, D. nobile in great variety, a pale late- 
flowering form of D. aureum, D. crassinode, with 
unusually large and brightly-coloured flowers, and 
the curious D. brymerianum with the long yellow 
whiskers. Very rare and interesting is the miniature 
Oncidium pumilum, with numerous short panicles of 
bloom. Sweetly scented is Dendrochilum gluma- 
ceum. Dendrobium fimbriatum oculatum is 
heavily laden with flower buds, and will be showy 
presently, as will Phaiusgrandifolius, with stems 4 ft. 
high, The beautiful Coelogyne cristata alba is well 
*L> 
Cypripedium fairieanum 
