December 7, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
221 
Cattleya Loddigesii. 
The first Cattleya ever imported to this country is that 
here mentioned. The Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney, 
who received it from Rio de Janeiro, had it early in the 
present century under the name of Epideudrum 
violaceum. It was placed under Cattleya when that 
genus was founded by Lindley. Since then several 
more or less distinct varieties have been introduced, 
varying chiefly in the colours of the flowers. The 
typical form has pale rosy lilac sepals and petals, and 
the three-lobed lip is mostly paler, with the terminal 
lobe amethyst-purple, while the disc is white, passing 
downwards into pale yellow. In some individuals the 
sepals and petals are blush, the whole of the disc and 
the edges of the side lobes of the lip of a pale sulphur 
or primrose, while the lip is of a soft lilac. The usual 
flowering season is August and September, but it may 
be had at various times during the winter, and is in 
bloom at present. The large, neatly-formed and soft- 
coloured flowers have a very chaste appearance. 
Epidendrum ciliare. 
The flowers of this species bear some considerable 
superficial resemblance to those of E. falcatum, better 
known in many gardens under the name of E. Parkin- 
sonianum. The flowers of E. ciliare, however, are 
borne several in a raceme, and have greenish yellow or 
almost white sepals and petals, and a deeply three- 
lobed lip, the lateral segments of which are deeply 
fringed, a fact to which the specific name refers. It 
flowers during the winter mofiths, is very fragrant, and 
therefore renders itself suitable for cut-flower purposes, 
for which it is used. E. falcatum, on the other hand, 
flowers during the summer months, and the three-lobed 
lip is not furnished with fringes. Both may be grown 
on blocks or in baskets, the latter being the more pre¬ 
ferable, because sufficient attention is not given them 
when grown on the first method, and the plants conse¬ 
quently more often than otherwise exhibit a starved 
appearance for want of a continuity of moisture. 
Cypripedium Ainsworthii calurum. 
Both the type and the variety here named are hybrids 
with a rather complicated parentage, and which is 
slightly different in the two cases, notwithstanding the 
fact that one is classed as a variety of the other. On 
this assumption the question may well be raised as to 
what constitutes a variety. The two plants are cer¬ 
tainly closely allied ; but C. Ainsworthii is a hybrid 
between C. longifolium Hartwegii and C. Sedenii, the 
latter being the pollen parent, while C. A. calurum is 
a hybrid between C. longifolium and C. Sedenii, the 
latter itself being a hybrid. Now C. 1. Hartwegii is a 
stamger and more robust variety, and so different in 
colour from the type that the late Professor Reichen- 
bach described it as a distinct species under the names 
of C. Hartwegii and Selenipedium Hartwegii. With 
all this complication it is difficult to say what relation 
the form under notice bears to C. Ainsworthii ; if we 
are to assume heredity to be the law that governs 
relationship. The plant in question is, however, a 
very valuable one, from the fact of its flowering at this 
dull season, as well as at other times during the year. 
The upper sepal is white stained with pale rose, and 
the petals are white with rose margins and apex, while 
the large lip is of a deep rose-pink. The petals are 
somewhat narrower than C. Ainsworthii, but in both 
cases the flowers are larger than those of the well-known 
C. Sedenii, and, of course, belong to the same type of 
hybrids. 
Zygopetalum Mackayi. 
Of all the species of Zygopetalum in cultivation, none 
are more easily grown nor so widely disseminated in 
gardens throughout the country as Z. Mackayi. 
Although not the neatest, nor the most interesting, 
botanically or otherwise, yet it may be described as one 
of the most showy on account of the size and number 
of its flowers. Five or six of these are produced in a 
raceme that rises to a height of 1J ft. The sepals and 
petals are light greenish and ornamented with heavy 
purplish brown blotches. The lip is white, blotched 
with purplish blue, and having lines of more or less 
conspicuous violet or bluish, short hairs running along 
the venation. The large ovate pseudo-bulbs are sur¬ 
mounted with numerous bright green leaves, and 
although the plant is rather bulky it has always a 
cheerful appearance owing to the abundance and healthy 
aspect of its foliage. The plant is a native of Brazil, 
from whence it was introduced in 1825. With a 
sufficiently moist atmosphere it can be grown to per¬ 
fection in greenhouse temperature. Many of the species 
are grown in baskets, but this one is kept in pots 
with satisfactory results. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
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THE STOVE. 
Propagation. —There is scarcely a season but some¬ 
thing in this way may be advantageously effected 
amongst stove plants by the aid of a properly con¬ 
structed propagating pit, or by the use of a close frame 
in a warm house with bottom heat at command. 
Where much in the way of decoration is done, a large 
number of healthy specimens of suitable size are always 
in request. Crotons will root now easily, and plants 
that are getting too tall or leggy may be headed down, 
and the tops put in to strike. In selecting cuttings 
from large old specimens, the best coloured pieces 
should be preferred. If taken off of sufficient size, 
they will soon be fit for use after being rooted. 
Varieties with long, slender, or narrow and graceful 
leaves are preferred to those of coarser growth for 
decorative purposes. Gardenias may also be rooted, 
and if a batch be put in now, the plants will be 
ready to start away freely in spring. The main batch 
can be rooted a little later on. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Chrysanthemums. — Cuttings of all the varieties 
should by this time have been inserted ; but there are 
kinds which throw up suckers from the stools very 
tardily. In such cases it may be necessary to wait 
until the plants go out of flower, and then cut them 
down. The requisite number of cuttings will then 
be easily obtained, as a rule. The sooner they are 
struck now, however, the better, as large flower-heads 
cannot be expected from late-struck plants, and those 
intended for cutting back or for specimens require 
plenty of time to develop. 
Tree Carnations. —Provided plenty of ventilation 
is given on all favourable occasions, Tree Carnations 
will now enjoy a considerable amount of artificial 
heat—say the temperature of an intermediate house. 
Ventilation, if properly done, will be quite sufficient to 
prevent drawing. Keep an eye upon the plants for 
green-fly, and fumigate upon its first appearance. 
Plants not in flower may be dipped in tobacco-water. 
Cinerarias. —Batches of these in cold pits cannot 
now with safety be left there any longer, however well 
matted up at night, because when once the thin and 
delicate leaves get nipped with frost they never recover, 
but curl up at the edges, making the plants unsightly 
all the rest of the season. It is not necessary to keep 
them very warm, but frost must of a necessity be 
excluded. When the weather is severe, see that the 
leaves do not touch the glass, but are removed some 
little way from it. 
Mignonette. —Plants now throwing up their flower- 
stems should be kept near the glass, on a shelf, or the 
front bench of a house, in order to avoid the drawing 
and attenuating of the stems. When the pots are 
filled with roots, assist the plants with manure water, 
in order to encourage the formation of strong flower 
spikes. Guano water may be used instead ; but on no 
account starve the plants. Ventilate well on all 
favourable occasions. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —Where it is convenient to allow Grapes to 
hang as long as they may with impunity to the Vines, 
the bunches must be gone over frequently to remove 
bad berries, because if suffered to remain, one will soon 
contaminate all with which it comes in contact. Keep 
the atmosphere cool and dry, admitting air whenever 
the weather is fine. On damp or foggy days it will be 
necessary to warm the pipes and open the back venti¬ 
lators only, in order to cause a circulation and drive 
out the damp. Fire-heat is more essential in the case 
of Black Hamburgh Grapes than Muscats, but a little 
will benefit the latter if used carefully, and will prevent 
the berries from becoming brown and unsightly. 
Strawberries. —A hot bed may now be made up 
for the early batch. After making it firm, stand the 
pots on the top without plunging. A temperature of 
50° will be quite sufficient to start the roots into 
activity. There should be a means of applying artificial 
heat if necessary, in the event of severe weather. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Fruit Trees on Walls. —Pruning and nailing should 
be vigorously prosecuted whenever the nature of the 
weather will permit. It may be necessary to remove a 
portion of the longer spurs of Plums every year, in 
order to prevent their extending too far from the wall. 
It is better to cut the older ones entirely away where 
there are plenty of young ones to take their place, 
than to shorten back young ones where they have 
already been done at the summer pruning. Peach 
trees on open walls are generally left unpruned till 
spring, but it can be done now with less danger to the 
flower-buds ; and more time can be spared at present to 
have it properly done, than if left till there is a greater 
stress of work on hand. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
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National Chrysanthemum. 
A largely attended meeting of the General Committee 
of this society was held at Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet 
Street, on Monday evening last, Mr. R. Ballantine 
occupying the chair. The minutes of the previous 
meeting having been confirmed, Mr. W. Holmes, the 
hon. secretary, announced that Lord Brooke, M.P., 
the society’s president, would take the chair at the 
annual dinner, to be held on Thursday, the 19th inst. 
Many distinguished visitors are expected to he present, 
among the names mentioned being Sir Guyer Hunter, 
Sir Louis Pelly, Sir Edwin Saunders, Mr. Shirley 
Hibberd, Mr. Harry Veitch, and others. The hour 
fixed is six sharp. Dr. Hoskins has undertaken to 
attend to the musical arrangements. It was reported 
that representatives from the National Society had 
attended the recent exhibitions at York, Hull, and 
Ghent, in each case a satisfactory one being held. With 
regard to the late show at the Aquarium, but few com¬ 
plaints had been received and only one protest. The 
secretary mentioned that the Floral Committee at Hull 
had awarded one Certificate, which was to Ethel Smith, 
a single-flowering kind. 
On the recommendation of the Floral Committee, a 
Silver Medal was awarded to Mr. Owen, of Maidenhead, 
for his stand of new varieties at the Aquarium show. 
Mr. Harman Payne tendered a report on his visit to 
Ghent and the participation of the National Society 
in the Centenary Exhibition there, and handed to the 
chairman the Gold Medal which had been presented to 
him as the society’s delegate to commemorate the 
interesting event. It was unanimously resolved that 
he be instructed to acknowledge in writing the apnre- 
ciation of the N.C.S. in suitable terms. New members 
were elected to the number of 41, bringing the total 
up to 673. Applications were also received for 
affiliation from the Northern Horticultural Society of 
Launceston, Tasmania, and the Batley Society, both 
being agreed to. Mr. Jukes gave in the report of the 
Centenary Sub-Committee, which had just previously 
held their meeting. It was recommended that the 
Centenary Show of the N.C.S. be held on the 11th, 
12th, 13th, and 14th of November, 1890, and that the 
judges be Messrs. Donald and Prickett for plants ; 
Messrs. Dean, Gorden, Kendall, and Douglas for cut 
blooms ; Messrs. Castle and Head for miscellaneous 
classes ; and Messrs. Roberts and Barron for fruit and 
vegetables. After some discussion, in which the 
opinions of the specimen plant growers were freely 
given, the report was adopted. 
-»> 3 =<«- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Books. — J. L.: We do not know of any book of the character 
you indicate. Some fifteen or more years ago the firm in 
question published some information on collecting Orchids in 
one of their catalogues. Perhaps that is what you have in your 
mind. 
Grapes Shrivelling. —Clyde : If the soil of your Vine borders 
is deemed sufficiently moist to afford plenty of moisture to the 
roots, then there must be something wrong with the roots them¬ 
selves, so that during the present state of inactive vegetation they 
are unable to supply a sufficient amount of moisture to keep the 
berries plump. If the borders are inside you might examine the 
soil, and if that or the drainage is thoroughly bad, then the best 
plan would be to prepare fresh compost, and renew the border 
after taking out the old material. Be very careful of the roots 
you come across. In the case of outside borders, they might be 
remedied in spring, although September is a better time, when 
the Vines are in leaf, because you can then get them to root in 
the fresh material during autumn and winter, so that no check 
is sustained. Meanwhile, the best thing to do with your Grapes 
if they are really suffering, is to cut them off and bottle them. 
Provided you have not the convenience of a fruit-room suitable 
for keeping Grapes, the next best plan would be to keep the 
bottles in the vinery, ventilating as usual, and giving as little 
fire-heat as possible consistent with their safety. Use clean 
water, and put a few nodules of charcoal in the bottles. 
Green Primrose.— A. Martin: Thanks for your note and 
explanation. We shall be glad to receive the flower when you 
can send one. 
Primulas.— IF. G. F.: A very nice lot of flowers—one of the 
many good strains that can now be obtained. We cannot 
illustrate them, because we have figured better, and must 
maintain the highest standard. 
Spurs of Pear, Plum, and Cherry Trees —Stella: In cut¬ 
ting out the old straggling spurs from the above trees, you 
should cut them clean away, leaving no snags whatever, that is 
to say if there are plenty of others to take their place. When 
there are young and healthy spurs in sufficient numbers to cover 
the walls profitably you need never stand on ceremony in cutting 
away old, gnarled, and comparatively worthless ones. Those 
that are left will grow all the better for being thus left with 
plenty of space to develop their foliage and ripen a crop of 
fruit. If grown on walls a certain amount of thinning is 
necessary to keep old trees tidy and close to the wall. If left 
too crowded, and especially in the case of old Pear trees, the 
