January 18, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
315 
ipaphne odora. 
The grateful odour of this species is a sufficient recom¬ 
mendation to ensure a more extended cultivation. It 
is antiquated and old-fashioned to be sure, and by no 
means so glaringly showy as many of the large-flowered 
subjects that meet with so much favour at the present 
day; but its odour alone indicates its presence in a 
house, even when the flowers are hidden, just as in the 
case of Boronia megastigma, whose flowers are even 
more, insignificant. The flowers on an old plant of 
Daphne odora are less numerous, and therefore more 
concealed by the foliage than they are with a small 
plant. The species and its varieties are propagated by 
grafting, and when a scion is put upon a moderately 
strong stock, it produces a large head of bloom from 
each shoot made during the first or second year, and in 
that condition is very conspicuous, even when only 
from 4 ins. to 6 ins. high. The typical form has pink 
flowers, but there is a variety with purple flowers, and 
another with almost pure white ones. All are fragrant 
alike, and the white variety is sufficiently distinct to 
merit cultivation, even in collections where the others 
are grown. 
Araucaria Rulei. 
Unlike A. excelsa, this species grows very slowly, 
and therefore lasts for a longer time in a manageable 
condition. We frequently see it grown in a stove tem¬ 
perature, hut it may also be grown in a cool house, as 
may be seen in the nursery of Messrs. J. Veitcli & Sons, 
Chelsea, where there is a well-furnished tree about 6 ft. 
high, standing amongst young specimens of A. excelsa 
in a cold greenhouse. The leaves are short, horizontal 
or ascending, and arranged all round the branches, the 
two combined—viz., leaves and branches—being about 
the thickness of the thumb. The tree is a native of 
the Papuan Archipelago, and only attains a height of 
50 ft., whereas A. excelsa grows 150 ft. high. It is 
very distinct, but comparatively uncommon in this 
country. 
Mimicry amongst Ferns. 
When two or more species resemble each other closely 
it is concluded that the phenomenon arises through 
their close kinship, and that all are descendants of one 
original type. There are, however, at least three 
species belonging to widely distinct genera, and which 
would seem to constitute a case of accidental mimicry. 
The commonest is Adiantum reniforme, and Tricho- 
manes reniforme is somewhat less common. The fronds 
of both are reniform, and very similar in outline : but 
whereas A. reniforme has medium-sized rather leathery 
fronds, those of the Trichomanes are generally larger, 
and membraneous in texture. Of course in fructifica¬ 
tion they widely differ. Lindsaya renitormis furnishes 
the third species of this interesting trio. In this latter 
case there is some variation amongst the leaves, some 
of which are comparable to those of Trichomanes 
reniforme, while others are more cordate, or triangular 
and even saggitate, and drawn out at the apex into a 
long point. Some are also wavy or lobed. The 
saggitate or arrow-shaped fronds are evidently the 
ultimate or highest form, while tile rest may be 
regarded as the juvenile form. 
Litobroehia robusta. 
This would make a magnificent subject for the decora¬ 
tion of large conservatories, owing to the handsome 
proportions it attains, but unfortunately it is only of 
annual duration. The spores should be sown early in 
the year, when the whole length of the season will be 
before it. Sown later on, the plants only make small 
specimens, which are extremely difficult to keep alive 
during the winter. The fronds are triangular in out¬ 
line. and in one season the plant will produce a huge 
mass about 5 ft. high. The lamina or blade is light 
green, three or four times divided, and in all respects 
of noble, telling appearance. Young plants may now 
he seen in the Royal Exotic Nursery at Chelsea. 
The Currant-Bud Mite. 
This little pest appears to be not so much of a stranger 
amongst professional men as some of us gardeners im¬ 
agined, but it is to be regretted that they kept their 
knowledge of it so long to themselves. I am sure they 
would not have done so had they known what a boon 
they would have conferred on many who, like myself, 
were struggling with an unknown foe. My employer, 
J. B. Murdoch, Esq., sent a few twigs with the buds 
diseased to Professor Trail, of Aberdeen University, 
and his advice was the same as that given by you at 
p. 252. The little marauder he calls “Phytopus 
Ribis.” Regarding its method of working he says, “ In 
the autumn they crawl front the swollen buds into the 
newly-formed ones of the summer, to distort them in 
turn.” The above I consider a very valuable hint, as 
the pruning off of the affected twigs was usually left 
till the plants were gone over in winter, when, of course, 
the swollen buds were deserted, and a lodgment made 
in the new ones, and thus the disease increased unknown 
to us. — J, Simons, Mearns, Renfrewshire. 
Hardy Plants in Flower in Ireland. 
"VVe had in flower in the open air, on January 7th, 
Daffodils : pallidus preeeox, Tazettas, Scilly and Paper- 
white ; Snowdrops, all sorts ; double red Hepaticas, 
Triteleia uniflora, Lenten and Christmas Roses, par¬ 
ticularly the former from Mr. Archer Hind’s collection ; 
all sorts of double and single Primroses, Aubrietia 
gneca, Gentiana acaulis, Violas of sorts, Iris stylosa, 
Sehizostylis coccinea, Emperor Stocks, and Wallflowers. 
The beautiful Prunus Pissardii is becoming full of buds ; 
Mahonias, of sorts, are all in flower ; Pyrus Maulei and 
Azara microphylla are crowded with bloom. The 
Daffodil crop is most promising, and in a month we 
shall have 100,000 blooms alone of Ard-Righ. — TFm. 
Baylor Hartland, Ard-Cairn, Blackrock , Cork. 
-- 
FLORAL DECORATIONS AT 
BIRMINGHAM. 
The Mayor of Birmingham gave a ball to over 1,500 of 
the inhabitants a few evenings since, and the following 
evening a fancy ball to a large number of children, and 
the services of Mr. Liberty and his staff were called 
into requisition for upholstery decorations, and that of 
Messrs. Hewitt & Co., of the Solihull Nurseries, for 
horticultural decorations, under the superintendence of 
Mr. Spinks. The two things combined, and on a lavish 
scale, produced a magnificent scene, such as was never 
before approached in Birmingham, if anywhere else. 
The interior of the Council House is admirably 
adapted to floral work, the entrance hall and grand 
staircase leading to spacious corridors, ante-rooms, the 
council chamber, and extensive reception rooms. Large 
specimen Palms were placed in the entrance hall, in the 
balconies, and on each side of the staircase, and on the 
first landing, a tall massive mirror was placed, capped 
with crimson drapery, and large Palms above. At the 
base, a lovely group of Arum Lilies, Ferns, and other 
plants were grouped. At one side of the centre of the 
spacious ball-room, a long bank of tall Palms here and 
there, with a quantity of Ferns and other decorative 
plants, and groups of Poinsettias, Arum Lilies, Spirreas, 
and a carpet of Tulips and Italian Hyacinths, and 
Maidenhair and other Ferns, had a telling effect. 
One fireplace was filled in with Euphorbia jacquinire- 
flora projecting outwards, with a few plants of Erica 
melanthera as a base, and was a beautiful arrangement. 
Another was filled in with a Palm, two beautiful Crotons, 
and a carpet of yellow Tulips and Maidenhair, and the 
mantelpiece with Lily of the Valley and a band of Duke 
of Edinburgh variegated Pelargonium, with a graceful 
Palm at either end. An ice cavern, arranged in a good- 
sized room, for which ten tons of ice were ordered, was 
a special object of admiration, as also was the reception 
room, fitted up in Oriental style, in which Mr. Spinks 
had placed a beautiful bank of Orchids and Adiantum 
Farleyense. There were plants in every position where 
they could be advantageously placed. 
--- 
ORCHID NOT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
The Orchid Growers’ Calendar. 
Masdevallia ignea, with its fiery flowers, is one of 
the plants which is decidedly welcome in the cool 
house at this season, for however chaste and pure the 
spikes of Odontoglossums may be, they lose none of 
their beauty by having it for a companion, as well as 
Sophronitis grandiflora, which seems to be a general 
favourite. Though some ardent Orchidists go in 
for a collection of Masdevallias, and find much to 
interest and please them amongst the less showy species, 
there can be no doubt that the majority of cultivators 
appreciate far more the glowing colour to he found in 
such as M. Veitchii, M. Ilarryana, M. Lindenii, &c.; 
and when we consider how wide is the range of colour 
between the many forms of M. Harryana we cannot 
wonder, for there appears to be over a dozen distinct 
forms, without the very pretty M. II. versicolor. Large 
masses grown for exhibition purposes undoubtedly 
make a show when well done, but plants may be 
grown in 60 and 48-size pots, quite large enough to 
produce six or eight flowers, which are better adapted 
for mixing among cool Orchids than larger pieces 
would be. 
Any plants which were not re-potted in the autumn, 
and require more room, or which have become bare in 
the centre, may now be so treated, care being taken 
not to damage the roots in the operation. In potting, 
the plants should be made firm by means of small 
sticks, or the weight of the leaves may render the plants 
unsteady, causing''them to take longer to get estab¬ 
lished. If-kept a little warmer, and the house well 
damped down after re-potting, for a few weeks, they 
will get established more quickly, especially if they 
have been divided a good deal. 
The trio of Lselias now in bud—L. flava, L. cinna- 
barina, and L. harpophylla—are all valuable as winter- 
blooming kinds to associate with the many varieties of 
Lrelia anceps, Cattleya Trianse, and C. Percivaliana, 
and amply repay the grower for any care bestowed on 
them. Epidendrum nemorale majus, E. prismato- 
carpum, and E. rhizophorum, are all well worth culti¬ 
vating. The two former are at present in the middle 
of their growing season, and should now be liberally 
treated. E. rhizophorum is sometimes rather shy at 
flowering, but if the growing shoots are trained round 
sticks, it will probably be induced thereby to produce 
its spikes of orange-scarlet flowers.— W. P. 
A Sulphur-coloured Odontoglossum 
Pescatorei. 
A vert distinct variety of this well-known Odontoglot 
may now be seen in the nursery of Messrs. Hugh Low 
& Co., Clapton. The sepals and petals are sulphur- 
yellow, and the latter have a band of deeper yellow 
along the centre. The basal half of the lip is bright 
yellow with two purple spots in lront of the disc on a 
pale ground. The crest, as usual, is also closely lined 
with purple. Should the flowers retain this hue under 
a more intense light, or even become darker, the variety 
will be an acquisition, and worthy of being added to the 
many fine varieties with a white groundwork, variously 
ornamented with violet-purple blotches. 
CYPRIPEDIUM IN3IGNE PUNCTATUM VIOLACEUM. 
The recognised name of this variety is C. i, Chantinii, 
but it is still grown in many gardens under the above 
name. The flowers are of good size, and chiefly 
recognised by the rich colours of the upper sepal. The 
lower half of the latter is greenish yellow, richly 
blotched with brown, while nearly the whole of the 
upper half is white, spotted on the lower part with 
violet-purple, and the white extends along the margin 
almost to the base. The petals and the lip are of a 
glossy dark brown, and in the former case the dark 
colour chiefly pursues the course of the venation. 
Individuals differ somewhat in the size of the flowers 
and the richness of the spotting on the upper sepal. In 
any case it is a choice and ornamental variety. We 
noted it in the nursery of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., 
Clapton. 
ANGR/ECUM hyaloides. 
Contrasted with A. sesquipedale there is a remark 
able divergence in all points of general appearance, 
in A. hyaloides. It is a veritable pigmy, both with 
regard to the flowers and foliage. The leaves are 
arranged in two obliquely-ascending ranks, from stems 
seldom exceeding |-in. in length, and often even 
shorter. The miniature flower spikes cluster in great 
numbers in the axils of the leaves, and generally project 
in the opposite direction from the leaves, and although 
shorter than them, are rendered conspicuous by this 
means. A large quantity of it may be seen in the 
nursery of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., Clapton, where it 
is just coming into flower. The miniature specimens 
are grown in tiny Orchid baskets, and when in full 
bloom look exceedingly pretty. We counted ten spikes 
on one, and thirteen on another, the latter con¬ 
sisting of only two or three small crowns. A large 
number of healthy well-established young plants of A. 
sesquipedale are also flowering freely. 
An/ectochilus Lowii. 
Many of the species of this genus and its allies are 
exceedingly beautiful, but unfortunately the bulk of 
them do not thrive satisfactorily for any length of 
time under cultivation. One of the most vigorous and 
best for general decorative purposes is A. Lowii, which 
has rich, dark, velvety green leaves, with golden 
yellow veins running longitudinally along their whole 
length, and these are joined by numerous lateral ones 
of the same warm hue. The leaves are also large, and 
arranged on the ascending tip of a creeping rhizome, as 
is well known to all growers of this class of plants. 
