December 28, 1889. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
269 
mount straight up to the roof, traversing the ridge 
longitudinally to the far end of the house. Shoots are 
given off from these in great numbers, and hanging 
down into the body of the house produce their orange 
tubular flowers in great quantities, forming terminal or 
axillary panicles, which are very acceptable during the 
winter months. Some of the leaves consist of three 
leaflets, while others have only a pair with a tendril. 
They are of course evergreen. 
-- 
NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SOCIETY. 
The Annual Dinner. 
The annual dinner of this popular society took place at 
Anderton’s Hotel on the 18th inst., and proved to be 
at once the largest and the most successful social 
gathering of “ Mumites ” that has yet been held. The 
chair was taken by Lord Brook, M.P., who, on his 
entrance to the dining-room, received a hearty and 
most cordial greeting. The president was supported 
by Sir Guyer Hunter, M.P., Sir Edwin Saunders, 
Captain Molesworth, Rev. W. Wilks, Mr. E. Sanderson, 
Mr. E. C. Jukes, Mr. Shirley Hibberd, and Mr. Lowe 
andMr. Walter Johnson, members ofthe London County 
Council, and the number of members and friends 
present was about 170. The tables were beautifully 
decorated with the flowers and fruits of the season, and 
a capital dinner was served. 
The toast of “ The Queen ” having been duly 
honoured, the noble president next gave “ The Prince 
and Princess of Wales and the other members of the 
Royal Family, ” remarking, with reference to the 
recent disquieting rumours as to the Prince’s health, 
how pleased he was to say that when His Royal 
Highness recently honoured him with a visit at Easton 
Lodge, he looked extremely well, and rode his horse 
in the hunting field with no lack of nerve or spirit. 
In proposing the toast of the evening, “Success to 
the National Chrysanthemum Society,” Lord Brook 
expressed his thanks for the honour paid to him by the 
members in electing him as their president, and as all 
ought to do their duty in every position in life, he 
thought he could not be better occupied than in taking 
the chair that evening. Having incidentally referred 
to the introduction of the Chrysanthemum into Europe, 
and to the marvellous strides which had been made in 
its cultivation of late years in this country, his lord- 
ship took up the history of the National Society, 
originally founded at Stoke Newington, and offered 
his congratulations upon its present most flourishing 
position. Ten years ago, when it aspired to national 
honours and importance, it had a comparatively small 
roll of members, which had since been very largely 
increased, and what was of greater significance, as 
showing the character of the work it was doing in pro¬ 
moting the cultivation and improvement of their 
favourite flower, there were now affiliated with it nearly 
fifty other Chrysanthemum societies, with ramifications 
in all parts of the world. The cultivation of the Chry¬ 
santhemum had been brought to a high standard of 
excellence, especially in the direction of increasing the 
size of the blooms, a phase of the florists’ art which 
had not yet extended to China or Japan, where, one 
of his brothers had told him, the system practised 
favoured the production of the largest number of blooms 
on the stem, rather than one of the largest size. In 
this country it was true we had a capricious climate 
to deal with, but our growers overcame all diffi¬ 
culties, and conquered nature in the most successful 
manner. He had read that in the vicinity of 
the great nitrate fields there was hardly a blade 
of grass to be seen, and yet when the nitrate 
was brought here what wonders were done with it ! 
There was one thing, however, that the skilful growers 
of the Chrysanthemum had not yet accomplished— 
they had not made much progress in perfecting the 
odour of the flower, which was at present its only 
drawback. There was undoubtedly still a great future 
before the Chrysanthemum ; it was possible that it 
would become even more popular; and certainly the 
introduction of a pleasant odour would give an enormous 
impulse in that direction. The toast was received with 
the utmost warmth and cordiality. 
The president then presented a few of the principal 
prizes awarded at the late annual show, the recipients 
being Mr. John Laing, Mr. Henry Cannell, Mr. J. 
George, Mr. Peel, Mr. Newton, Mr. Hayward, and Mr. 
Beale, who took medals ; and Mr. Charles Gibson, who 
carried off the Challenge Shield for the Wimbledon 
Society. Mr. R. Dean proposed “The Royal Aquarium 
and Summer and Winter Garden Society,” and in so 
doing alluded to the generous spirit with which the 
Aquarium Company had met their society, the hand¬ 
some contributions which it had made to their prize 
schedules during the ten years that the Aquarium had 
been the home of the society ; and the many privileges 
which had been given to its members. Captain 
Molesworth, chairman of the Aquarium Company, 
acknowledged the compliment. 
Mr. E. C. Jukes proposed “The health of the 
President,” to whom on behalf of members he offered a 
most hearty welcome, with the assurance that his 
kindness in presiding over what was, probably, the 
largest gathering of the kind ever held in London, 
was appreciated to the fullest extent. The toast was 
received with the utmost enthusiasm, and emphasised 
with musical honours. In response, the president 
expressed the pleasure he felt at being for the first 
time among the “ Mumites,” and his thanks for their 
kind reception that evening. He was very fond of 
horticulture, without claiming to be much of a 
horticulturist, and it was with pleasure that he 
acknowledged that his interest in gardening, and 
especially in the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum, 
had been greatly stimulated by his excellent gardener, 
Mr. Lister. 
Mr. Lowe (L.C.C.) gave “The Vice-Presidents,” to 
which Sir Guyer Hunter and Mr. Sanderson responded. 
Mr. Hibberd followed with “The Fellows of the Society 
and Guests of the Evening,” which was acknowledged 
by Sir Edward Sanders and Mr. A. McAllister, the latter 
of whom greatly amused the company by remarking 
that there was one plant, the Scotch Thistle, which 
the gardeners, with all their skill, could not improve. 
Mr. James proposed “The Officers of the Society,” 
to which Mr. Ballantine and Mr. W. Holmes responded, 
the popular secretary remarking that their annual 
report for the year would show great progress made in 
all departments of the society’s operations. He also read 
a congratulatory telegram received during the evening 
from the committee of the Birmingham Chrysanthe¬ 
mum Society, couched in the most amicable terms, and 
remarked that in view of their centenary celebration to 
be held next year, he was glad to be able to announce 
that the list of donations to the prize fund promised 
that evening amounted to nearly double what had been 
promised on any previous occasion. 
Mr. Walter Johnson (L.C.C.) proposed “TheJudges,” 
to which Mr. Wright replied ; and Mr. George Gordon 
proposed “The Affiliated and Kindred Societies,” which 
was acknowledged by Mr. Harland, co-secretary of the 
Hull Society, who claimed that his committee was the 
first to offer prizes for sweet-scented varieties, and had 
had a class for them in their schedule for several years 
past. The proceedings were brought to a close at a 
late hour by the company joining in singing “ Auld 
Lang Syne.” 
-- 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
Masdevallia racemosa. 
It may be stated that, as a general rule, Masdevallias 
are easy of cultivation, but there are a few exceptions, 
of which the present may be reckoned one. In its 
native habitat in New Grenada the flower scapes vary 
from 10 ins. to 15 ins. in height, bearing from eight to 
sixteen flowers. In the Orchid houses of this country, 
however, it generally dwindles to a small size, bearing 
two or three, or at most a few flowers, and does not 
grow with much vigour. It is also a bad traveller, for 
although it was originally described by Lindley in 1839 
from dried specimens, living ones failed to reach Europe 
until Mr. Carder succeeded in sending home a small 
quantity of it in a living state in 1883. The flowers 
are moderate in size, owing to their great number, and 
are of a brilliant orange-red, shaded crimson, although 
occasionally paler. The tube of the perianth is of 
moderate length and cylindrical, while the lamina is 
two-lipped. The large lip is bilobed, and made up of 
two roundly elliptic segments suddenly narrowed to a 
point, while the upper lip is small and acuminate, but 
none of them are tailed in the slightest, although this 
feature is so common amongst Masdevallias generally. 
Sportive Calanthe Veitchii. 
It is of frequent occurrence that this Calanthe produces 
a flower scape from the apex of the pseudo-bulb, as we 
have mentioned on several occasions. Instances also 
occur at Devonhurst, Chiswick, but one plant has 
behaved in a different manner. A flower scape came 
away in the usual manner from the base of the pseudo¬ 
bulb, but instead of pursuing the usual plan it thickened 
at the base, forming a small pseudo-bulb furnished with 
leaves reduced to bracts, and then terminated in a small 
inflorescence, as if it had not been quite resolved what 
it intended doing when growth first commenced. 
A Grand Display of Calanthes- 
During a recent visit to Wray Park, Reigate, the 
residence of G. Simpson, Esq., 1 was agreeably surprised, 
in passing through the Orchid houses, at the gorgeous 
display of Calanthes now in bloom, comprising such 
well-known kinds as Calanthe Veitchii, C. vestita luteo- 
oculata. and C. rubro-oculata. In the aggregate there 
are 140 plants, bearing on an average three spikes each, 
many of them being 4 ft. long, and carrying upwards 
of forty individual flowers of good size and colour on a 
spike. What is most remarkable to my mind is the 
size of the pots, nothing larger than a 48 being used. 
Many of the bulbs are 10 ins. long, and measure 10 ins. 
in circumference at the base. Mr. Hoad, who is the 
gardener in charge, is always delighted to show his 
favourites and to explain his system of growing. These 
useful winter-blooming Orchids are deserving of more 
attention, seeing that they bridge over the darkest 
days of the year.— J. MbNab. 
The Gar deners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
BouvARDrAS. —As plants of these go out of bloom, or 
become shabby through losing their leaves, they should 
be kept dry fora time, and afterwards be cut down pre¬ 
paratory to their being put in the propagating pit to 
start them into fresh growth. When the young shoots 
are about 2 ins. in length, take them off and insert 
them as cuttings. The old plants may still be pre¬ 
served where the custom of placing them out in a frame 
is resorted to in summer. The attention they require 
under these conditions is very little, and when lifted 
early in autumn and potted up, they supply a large 
quantity of cut flowers during the autumn and early 
winter months. The younger ones will still supply a 
large quantity of cut blooms, provided they are supplied 
with liquid manure, which will enable them to throw up 
laterals. 
Seed Sowing. —An early batch of Gloxinias and 
tuberous Begonias may now be sown in a compost 
consisting of about equal parts of good fibrous loam and 
peat, with a quantity of leaf-soil and sufficient sand to 
keep the whole porous and open. In preparing the 
compost, do not sift it, but use it in a nodular con¬ 
dition, in order to permit of the free escape of moisture, 
otherwise the soil is liable to become soddened and sour 
After filling the seed pans with the rough compost, 
cover the latter with a little finely-sifted soil, to form a 
smooth and even bed for the seeds. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
EupATORIUMS. —These are naturally moisture-loving 
subjects, and require a large supply of water, not 
merely in summer but in winter as well. Of course, 
the temperature of the house in which they are grown 
must be taken into consideration and the amount of 
growth they are making. E. odoratum will now be 
past its best if put in the greenhouse when it came 
into bloom in autumn. On the other hand E. riparium 
will be coming into flower, or even at its best, while E. 
Weinmannianum will not come into bloom for a long 
time unless forced. The last two named may receive 
supplies of liquid manure twice a week to assist them 
in making good growth and also in retaining their 
foliage, which adds much to their appearance when in 
bloom. 
Kalanchoe carnea, &c. —It will greatly assist 
succulent plants of this class to come into flower if 
they are now kept rather dry at the roots for a time, 
and, indeed, until growth again becomes active. Cras- 
sula coccinea and C. falcata, more commonly known as 
Kalosanthes and Rochea, should also be kept on the 
dry side to enable them the better to pass the winter. 
A lower temperature may also be given them than is 
necessary to bring Kalanchoe carnea into bloom, as 
they flower in summer and must now be resting. 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Vineries. —Where the temperature has been kept up 
to the maximum allowable for the forcing of the earliest 
house, the young shoots will now be considerably 
advanced, and where there is any danger of their 
touching the glass they should be looped down. This 
should be done with great care, because the young 
shoots are liable to snap at this early stage of their 
progress. Cease syringing when the bunches show 
plainly, and keep the evaporating pans well filled with 
water containing some liquid manure, the vapour 
arising from which will be beneficial. When at this 
stage, the night temperature should be kept at 65°, 
with a rise to 75° by day with sun heat. A brisk fire 
should be got up early in the morning, so that 
ventilation may be given at the top during the early 
part of the day, when the temperature rises to 75°. In 
dull and damp weather the atmosphere should be kept 
moderately dry, but otherwise the paths and walls 
should be well damped down at closing time. The 
shoots should be stopped at the second, third, or 
fourth leaf beyond the bunches, according to the 
space at command. Where there is a number of 
vineries, the second one may now be started if the 
produce is likely to be wanted in good time. 
Early Peach House —Where the first house was 
closed in the beginning of November, the buds will 
now be showing strongly, and a few even will be in 
bloom. A temperature of 25° by night and 60° by 
day will be quite sufficient for the present, and in the 
event of frosty weather it may even be a few degrees 
lower. When a good percentage of the buds are open, 
