31G 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January IS, 1890. 
When the crowns become strong they are almost sure 
to run to flower, but the spike should be pinched out 
as soon as it can be got at, to prevent exhaustion of the 
foliage, for which the plant is most highly valued. It 
is the usual custom to grow the Anrectochili in a low 
close frame ; but a large quantity of the species under 
notice may be seen on the benches of a Phaltenopsis 
house in the nursery of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., 
Clapton. Some variation may be noticed among the 
plants, including the bright green-leaved form A. L. 
virescens. 
Cypripedium leucorhodum. 
This is one of the numerous Sedenian hybrids, and 
was derived from C. longifolium Hartwegii crossed 
with C. Selilimii albiflorum. The flowers, as the name 
implies, are a mixture of red and white, the latter 
preponderating ; but the one blends so harmoniously 
with the other, that the flowers present an exceedingly 
chaste appearance. The upper sepal is suffused with 
pink at the base, while the edges and upper half of 
the petals are somewhat darker and of moderate 
length. The short inflated lip is suffused with rose. 
In all these characters it will be seen that the influence 
of the pollen parent predominates ; and this also holds 
good with regard to the foliage. Like most of this 
class, it may be flowered at almost any time, and may 
be seen at present in the Loyal Exotic Nursery, at 
Chelsea. 
-—>2:<-- 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural. 
The first meeting of the season was held in the Drill 
Hall, Westminster, on Tuesday last, when there was a 
surprisingly varied display, considering the season of 
the year. The most comprehensive collection of 
Nepenthes that has been exhibited for some years, was 
shown by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons. They consisted 
each of a leaf with its pitcher, and represented a large 
number of species and varieties. A Silver Banksian 
Medal was awarded for the collection. Mr. H. B. May, 
Edmonton, was awarded a Bronze Banksian Medal for 
a large and attractive group of Eerns. The largest 
group of Orchids was that shown by Sir Trevor 
Lawrence, Bart., M.P., who exhibited a number of 
hybrid Dendrobium seedlings, which will be described in 
our next, Lselia pumila, El Spirito Sancto, and others. 
Mr. J. A. Glover, gardener to E. Ellis, Esq., Manor 
House, Wallington, had a fine plant of Lycaste plana ; 
Mr. Myles, Appley Towers, Ryde, had Cypripedium 
insigne. A plant of a fine high-coloured variety of 
Lycaste Skinneri rubra was shown by N. N. Sherwood, 
Esq., Dunedin, Streatham Hill, to whom a vote of 
thanks was accorded ; and a similar vote was made to 
Messrs. Pitcher & Manda, 139, Barry Road, East 
Dulwich, for Cypripedium Leeanum ; F. G. Tautz, 
Esq. (gardener, J. C. Cowley), exhibited Lycaste plana 
Measuresiana, L. S. Lucyana, L. S. Imperator, and 
Ccelogyne lentiginosa. De B. Crawshay, Esq., Rosefield, 
Sevenoaks, exhibited a plant of the rare Lselia 
Crawshayana, grown in a basket. Mr. Harvey, 
Riverdale Road, Liverpool, showed a white variety of 
Lfelia anceps ; Yanda Amesiana was shown by Thos. 
Statter, Esq., (gardener, Mr. R. Johnson), Stand Hall, 
Whitefield, Manchester. A fine piece of Cattleya 
Triame albescens was shown by Mr. P. Blair, Trentham 
Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, for which a vote of thanks 
was accorded. 
Messrs. H. Cannell & Sons exhibited nine plants, 
mostly new varieties of Primula sinensis, of rich and 
varied colour ; those certificated we shall allude to 
next week. Messrs. Barr & Son, Covent Garden, 
showed a few pans of species of Crocus, &c. Mr. Owen 
Thomas, The Gardens, Chatsworth, Derby, showed five 
spikes and one flowering bulb of Hippeastrum aulicum, 
bearing three to four flowers each, and of wonderful 
vigour. He also received a Cultural Commendation for 
a finely-fruited plant of Carica Papaya in a pot. Messrs. 
"VValshaw & Son, The Nurseries, Scarborough, showed 
flowers of a dwarf variety of Richardia africana 
(aethiopicum). Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt, ex¬ 
hibited finely-flowered and forced plants of Spiraea 
astilboides, and a purplish black-spathed Arum. 
At a meeting of the Fruit Committee, Mr. IV. 
Roupell, Harvey Lodge, Roupell Park, showed a col¬ 
lection of Apples in good condition, including Cox’s 
Orange Pippin, Bismark, Cellini, Newtown Wonder, 
Manks’ Codlin, Striped Beefing, Bedfordshire Found¬ 
ling, Peasgood’s Nonsuch, Annie Elizabeth, Beauty of 
Kent, Melon Apple, Emperor Alexander, and others. 
Mr. A. Dean, Bedfont, showed main crop and imported 
Spanish Onions. Mr. H. Morris, Gian Afon, Taibach, 
showed a Pine Apple. A. H. Smee, Esq., The Grange, 
Wallington, exhibited some Apples, including Rein- 
borough. From the society’s gardens, Chiswick, came 
a collection of Broccoli, amongst which were Snow’s 
Winter White, White Sprouting, Improved Early 
Purple Sprouting, Easter Day, Early Penzance, and 
Penzance Early White 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE STOVE. 
Dieffenbachias. — Plants that are getting leggy 
should have their tops taken off and inserted in 60- 
sized pots, plunging the latter in the frame used for 
propagating purposes. The old stems may also be 
utilised by laying them on a coco-nut fibre bed, and 
covering them up until buds are produced ; or, if more 
convenient, they may be cut up into lengths, each con¬ 
taining a node or joint from which buds may be ex¬ 
pected, and put singly into light sandy soil in small 
pots. Be careful not to over-water the tops till they 
have rooted. The leaves may be kept plump and 
healthy by an occasional syringing. Some of the best 
sorts are D. triumphans, D. Weirii, D. Bausei, D. rex, 
D. regina, D. amoena, D. Carderi, D. Jenmanni, 
D. magnifica, and D. nobilis. A suitable compost 
consists of good fibrous loam, peat, leaf-soil, well- 
rotted manure, and sand. Leave a little air on the 
frame to allow the superfluous moisture to escape. 
Draoenas and Pandanits. — Old leggy plants of 
Dracaenas are never in request for decorative purposes. 
With the exception of D. Goldieaua, they are easily 
rooted, so that the old process of ringing is quite un¬ 
necessary. Preserve all the good leaves, inserting the 
stem in light sandy soil in 3-in pots, and treat in the 
same way as for Dieffenbachias. The old stems may 
be lightly buried in moist coco-nut fibre, and when 
they push up little shoots cut these off and root them. 
D. Goldieana is somewhat more difficult to root in this 
way ; but with the exercise of a little care and patience, 
the tops will root and form fine plants. 
Palais. —What potting is required may be done 
now, before the busy season conies on. Use a large 
proportion of good fibrous loam, as the foliage is finer 
and more durable than when light material is employed. 
They will also remain of a suitable size for a greater 
length of time if not put into too large pots. The 
roots also occupy the space much better, and render the 
matter of drainage of smaller importance. 
THE GREENHOUSE. 
Chrysanthemums —Those who still have their cuttings 
in cold frames may now introduce them into a heated 
one in order to start them into growth, and when this is 
moving they may be potted off singly. After their 
roots have taken to the fresh soil they may be gradually 
hardened off as the weather improves and the light gets 
stronger, so that the plants may be kept dwarf and 
short-jointed. 
Roses. —Batches of Tea and Hybrid Perpetual Roses 
may be introduced to any house where the night tem¬ 
perature ranges from 55° to 60°, and is allowed to rise 
above that figure during the day. Before doing so 
they should receive what pruning is necessary. Tea 
Roses require but little, while H.P.’s must be pretty 
closely cut back in most cases, particularly the more 
weakly-growing ones, whereas those that produce strong 
and vigorous shoots should be left at greater length. 
See that the drainage is all right, otherwise water applied 
will stand in the pots, and in a short time induce an 
unhealthy condition of the roots. Forced Roses in 
pots enjoy a top-dressing of some kind, and there is 
none better, perhaps, than well-rotted cow manure. The 
droppings of deer or sheep are very useful for mixing 
with the soil when potting. Pig manure is one of the 
best that can be applied to them in the open ground, 
and if well rotted might prove equally useful for 
mulching in pots. __ 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
Strawberries in Pots. —Little heat is necessary in 
the case of plants newly put under glass ; but this 
should be increased as growth proceeds. When in 
flower the atmosphere of the house should be kept 
tolerably dry in order to set the fruit. When the latter 
is pretty well advanced the temperature may be con¬ 
siderably increased if the fruits are wanted early. Two 
things necessary to be observed is to give air on all 
favourable occasions, whether the sun is shining or not, 
in order to dispel stagnant moisture, and prevent 
mildew from spreading ; and secondly, if stood on 
shelves they should be kept as far away as possible 
from the dry air of a flue, or from a chimney passing 
up the back wall, otherwise red spider will put in an 
appearance, and seriously damage the leaves and the 
prospect of a crop. 
Early Peach House. —Disbudding should not be 
carried on too severely at this early period of the year. 
The strong shoots on the top of the tree that are not 
required for the next year should first-be removed, and 
afterwards those on the lower part of the tree. Leave 
also some foliage on the shoots beyond fruits that are 
set, merely removing the tip. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Seed Lists. —If not already done, there should be no 
further delay in making out the list of necessaries for 
the ensuing season. It is always the safest plan to 
rely upon old and well-tested kinds for all the main 
crops ; but a little latitude may always be allowed for 
speculation with new sorts, in order to determine their 
relative values for any particular district. 
Parsley. —Where the precaution has not been taken 
of planting some of this useful vegetable in a frame, or 
potting it up, a supply may be obtained by forcing old 
roots, provided that out of doors is failing owing to the 
vicissitudes of climate or the vicinity of smoky towns. 
Lift good strong roots, plant them in light soil in 
boxes, and stand the latter in a warm place. They 
will soon push leaves in the same way as Sea Kale or 
Dandelion roots. 
-- 
Gardeners' Improvement Societies. 
Reading. 
The first annual meeting of this Association was held 
on the 6th inst., when there was a full attendance of 
members. In the absence of the president of the asso¬ 
ciation, Mr. Lees (chairman) occupied the chair.—Mr. 
J. Pound, jun., read the annual report, which stated 
that the association numbered 120 members. Fourteen 
meetings had been held during the year and had been 
well attended. The committee wished to thank Mr. A. 
Sutton for his kindness in granting the use of the room 
for meetings, those who had contributed to the success 
of the meetings by reading papers and by exhibiting 
plants and various other produce, and those who had 
helped financially. A hope was expressed that steps 
would shortly be taken towards the formation of a 
library of works on horticulture. The report concluded 
by stating that, while the committee looked back over 
the past year with considerable satisfaction at what had 
been accomplished, they should endeavour to make the 
association still more successful than in the past ; let 
them endeavour to make it worthy of its name and of 
the important centre in which it was situate ; and let 
them also look forward to the time when the result of 
the valuable information disseminated among their 
members should be seen in the advancement of horti¬ 
culture. The financial statement showed the receipts 
to have been £27 17 s. 6 d., and the expenditure 
£10 5s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of £17 12s. The 
report and balance sheet were, on the proposition of the 
chairman, unanimously adopted. Mr. W. I. Palmer 
was re-elected President, Mr. Lees chairman, Mr. T. 
Turton vice-chairman, Mr. J. Woolford treasurer, Mr. 
J. Pound, jun., secretary, and Messrs. Fife and Phillips 
auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to the officers 
and to Mr. A. Sutton, and Mr. Pound, jun., was very 
heartily thanked for his excellent services. 
-- 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Improved Blackberries. —A correspondent, “ D. Brown," 
would be obliged if some reader would kindly tell him where he 
can obtain any improved varieties of the common Bramble. 
Mar£chal Niel Rose.— John Drage : Your Marechal Niel 
Rose seems to have been induced to make tall and sappy growth, 
hence the wood is not hard enough to produce blooming shoots, 
only b’ind ones. As the retention of blind shoots, especially at 
the extremity of 12-ft. growths, can be of no future benefit, 
it is advisable to cut back below these premature shoots, 
and start dormant buds, which being on harder wood 
may produce fine blooms. But should that not be the case, it is 
certain that shoots which break closer back, or ho ne, as the 
phrase runs, will be far more serviceable in laying the foundation 
of a grand lot of bloom for the following season than would 
result if the present weak shoots remain. Marechal Niel blooms 
usually on side shoots from 9 ins. to 15 ins. long. With respect 
to green-fly, fumigate freely on any quiet evening by using 
tobacco-paper. A saturation of the house in smoke for half an 
hour from tobacco-paper will destroy all fly thoroughly. Fumi¬ 
gating should be carefully attended to up to the time the buds 
show colour ; but when the blooms are expanding it will often 
do harm. In any case, if properly attended to throughout the 
early stage of growth, there should be little fly to trouble when 
the blooms are opening. As to mildew, it is sometimes checked 
by dusting the foliage with fine powder of sulphur when slightly 
damped ; but the best general plan is to mix some sulphur with 
soapy water and coat the hot-water pipes with it whilst hot, say 
about once in three or four days, if the mildew be virulent, 
keeping the house close. As a mere deterrent, a coating once 
week will do very well. Mildew often results from exposure to 
cold currents of air. 
Names of Plants.— D. Cromhie : Euonymus fimbriatus, a 
greenhouse plant which flowers pretty regularly when allowed 
