February 8, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
365 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
Odontoglossum pulchellum. 
This is a plant which under good cultivation produces 
its snowy white flowers with great freedom, and 
flowering at mid-winter makes it all the more 
valuable. Although introduced from Mexico nearly 
half a century ago, it is not generally so well grown as 
some fine samples now covered with bloom in the 
collections of T. R. Watt, Esq., of Chislehurst. 
Mr. Watt’s collection of Orchids is now in a very 
healthy condition, and includes many fine things in 
flower or bud, such as good varieties of Cattleya 
Triame, Zygopetalum crinitum giganteum, the pretty 
Oncidium cheirophorum, 0. Russellianum, some good 
forms of Odontoglossum crispum and 0. Andersonianum, 
a fine Dendrobium nobile nobilius, a dozen splendid 
pans of Sophronitis grandiflora, S. violacea, and 
many other pretty things.— TV. P. 
Oncidium varicosum. 
Amongst the stronger-growing species this certainly 
holds a high position, especially when well grown, 
owing to the number of flowers borne on a single 
branching panicle. The type varies considerably 
according to treatment, and apparently under different 
conditions and the state of individual specimens, both 
as to the time it has been established and whether 
grown in a pot or on a raft. Large and very small 
flowers often present themselves not only on the same 
specimen but on the same inflorescence. The large, 
four-lobed lip is the most conspicuous organ of the 
flower, and is of a rich brilliant yellow, with a large 
brown blotch on the disc between the lateral lobes. 
The sepals and petals are small, yellow, and copiously 
blotched with brown in transverse bands. The variety 
0. v. Rogersii, when obtained true, is a decided acqui¬ 
sition for horticultural purposes, as the lip sometimes 
measures 2 ins. across, and as many-as 170 flowers have 
been produced on a single panicle. 
A Hybrid Miltonia, 
Some seedling Orchids were exhibited by M. Bleu, of 
Paris, in his greenhouse in the grounds of the Trocadero 
at the Universal Exhibition last summer, and amongst 
them was Miltonia Bleui, a hybrid between M. vexillaria 
and M. Roezlii, and which is exactly intermediate 
between the two parents in general aspect. The flowers 
are pure white, and like those of M. Roezlii, they exhale 
a delicious odour. In the case of the latter species, we 
have more than once compared the odour to that of 
Rosa indica or its varieties, such as the Monthly Roses. 
Several of the hybrid seedlings have flowered, and 
present variations in the colour of the crest of the 
lip. Some of them have the raised crest of a sulphur- 
yellow, marked with two brown lines beside it at the 
base of the lip, and from this circumstance if. Bleu 
proposes to name this type Miltonia Bleui aurea. 
Others have the same part of the lip wholly of a reddish 
brown, and the name proposed for them is M. B. 
splendens. 
ANGR/ECUM eburneum. 
There is a greenish-flowered variety of this species 
with smaller and less conspicuous flowers than the type, 
and the lip is in this respect the most marked. The 
sepals and petals ot the type are, however, greenish 
white ; but this lack of distinctness is compensated for 
by the large heart-shaped lip, which is pure white. The 
stems attaina height of 3 ft. or more, bearing the long 
drooping leaves in two ranks. The flower scapes arise 
from the axils of two-year-old leaves, and are 18 ins. or 
2 ft. long, according to vigour. Well-grown plants have 
therefore a telling appearance. 
-- > = E< -- 
Gardeners’ Improvement Societies. 
Croydon. 
A preliminary meeting was held at the Public Hall, 
Croydon, on the 27th ult., to consider the advisability 
of establishing a Gardeners’ Improvement Society for 
that district. A committee was elected, and Stephenson 
Clarke, E=q., a well-known local patron of horticulture, 
was invited to become president, and the Rev. W. 
Wilks, Shirley Vicarage, vice-president. 
Ealing. 
There was a capital attendance of members on the 29th 
ult., two interesting papers being down for discussion. 
The first was on “The Cultivation of Mushrooms,” by 
Mr. Gates, gardener to Professor Henslow, whose 
opinions on the subject found substantial confirmation 
in an attractive basket of the succulent edible, which 
he submitted to the verdict of the judges. The second 
paper, dealing with “The cultivation of Chrysan¬ 
themums for Exhibition,” was from the pen of Mr. 
Edwards, gardener to William Owen, Esq., and one of 
the leading exhibitors in the district. In addition to 
the Mushrooms shown by Mr. Gates, which were awarded 
four marks, there were Spirtea japonica and Dendrobium 
Wardianum, from Mr. Roberts, gardener to J. Harris, 
Esq.; an Azalea, Deutzia gracilis, and Cyclamen from 
Mr. Long, gardener to E. P. Oakshott, Esq ; excellent 
semi-double Chinese Primroses from Mr. Cox, gardener 
to Mrs. Bland ; Cypripedium villosum from Mr. Greggs, 
gardener to A. G. Dixon, Esq., &c. 
Asparagus plumosus nanus.— D. B. : This variety can bo 
raised from seed just as easily as the typical A. plumosus. You 
must treat your plants liberally in a stova temperature, so as to 
make them throw up long and vigorous shoots, because on these 
alone will flowers and fruits be produced. The seeds should be 
rubbed out of the berries as soon as the latter are ripe, and sown 
immediately. They may take some time to germinate, so that 
you need not be afraid, nor lose patience at their not appearing 
for some time. 
Cypripedium insigne.— F.S.JV. : The flower you sent is a wdl- 
spotted form of the type ; but it is not C. insigne violaceum 
punctatum, because the white upper portion of the upper sepal 
does not extend far enough down, so as to show off a sufficient 
n mber of the violet-purple spots. In C. insigne violaceum 
punctatum there is a white border extending almost to the base 
of either side of the upper sepal. There is no end of variation 
amongst individuals of C. insigne, and that you sent has a short 
lip like the variety C. i. sylhetense. Individuals also vary 
greatly as to the time of flowering, according to the cultural 
treatment from year to year, while others are either naturally 
early or naturally late. 
Errvta.—A t p. 349, col. a, in last line under Reading, for 
“ Justin ” read “ Turton.” On the same page in the Birmingham 
paragraph, for “Torquay” read “ Iinpney.” 
Names of Plants.— H. S. : Aspidium (Cyrtomium) falcatum 
caryotideuin. S. M. S.: Dendrobium aureum, generally called 
D. heterocarpnm. J.F.: 1, Davallia Tyermauui ; 2, Davallia 
elegans ; 3, Adiantum curvatum ; 4, Pteris cretica albo lineata ; 
5, Adiantum hispidulum; 6, Pteris serrulata. D. B. : 
Asparagus plumosus nanus (see above). Col. S. 11 .; 1, Pin us 
contorta ; 2, Photinia serrulata. 
Paint for Rough Wood-work.—C. B. G.: You must cer¬ 
tainly not use tar for the internal wood-work, for which 
“ Carson’s,” “ Indestructible,” or ordinary paint is the best. We 
have used both the former, and were well satisfied with the re¬ 
sults. Ferhaps the cheapest course would be to get some 
“ smudge ” from a painter, and fine it down yourself with turpen¬ 
tine and linseed bil. 
Pasithea ocerulea.— J. Parnell: The p’ant concerning which 
you made inquiries is a member of the Liliaceae. with a some¬ 
what similar habit to an Anthericum or Asphodelus, but, of 
course, a different type. The rootstock consists of a short, 
erect rhizome. The leaves are mostly radical, narrow and 
grassy, arranged in two rows, and imbricate at the base. 
The stem bears a few short erect leaves, particularly near the 
base, and terminates in a loosely pyrarr idal ort.hyrsoid panicle of 
blue flowers. It is a native of Chili, and if not quite hardy 
would probably succeed in a cold frame. We have, however, 
seen Arthropodium cirrhatum, one of its near allies, killed in a 
cold frame, but succeed admirably in a house with a moderately 
high temperature and a dry atmosphere. 
Communications Received.—W. C.—S. B.—J. H G.—J. K — 
J. C.—G. P. Junr,—C. H. S.—W. J. M.—J. L.— R. S.—J. C. S.— 
A Kitchen Gardener.—W. B. G.—W. D.—S. T. 
-- 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
G. Stevens, St. John’s Nursery, Putney, S.W.—New and 
choice selected Chrysanthemums. 
W. Thompson, Tavern Street, Ipswich.—Catalogue of Choice 
Seeds. 
Yilmorin, Andrieux, & Co.. 4, Quai de la Megisserie, Paris.— 
Catalogue of Seeds, Bulbs, Roots, &c. 
-- 
THE WEATHER. 
At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean reading 
of the barometer during the week ending February 1-t 
was 29’91 ins.; the lowest reading was 28’50 ins. at 
the beginning of the week and on Tuesday at noon, 
and the highest 30 - 27 ins. on Wednesday evening. 
The mean temperature of the air was 42 9°, and 27° 
above the average in the corresponding weeks of the 
twenty years ending 1868. The mean was below the 
average on Wednesday, but showed an excess on each 
of the other days of the week. The direction of the 
wind was variable. Rain fell on six days of the week, 
to the aggregate amount of 0 73 of an inch. The 
duration of registered bright sunshine in the week was 
8’9 hours, against 5'5 hours at Glynde Place, Lewes. 
-- 
LONDON SEED TRADE. 
February 3rd. 
Messrs. Hurst & Son, 152, Houndsditch, and 39, Seed 
Market, Mark Lane, E.C., report a steady sale for 
all varieties of Clover seeds. The lower grades of 
English Red offer on easy terms, but superfine qualities 
command full prices. White Clover is dearer. Alsike 
and Trefoil steady. 
-- 
OOVENT GARDEN MARKET. 
February 5th. 
Fruit.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s.d s.d. ! s.d. s.d. 
Apples .J-sieve 2 0 7 0 Pine-apples, Eng., lb. 10 16 
— Nova Scotia, barrel 12 0 18 0 —St. Michaels, each 2 6 7 6 
Grapes .per lb. 2 0 4 0 Plums.J-sieve 
Vegetables.—Average Retail Prices. 
s.d. s.d. | s.d. s.d 
Artichokes, Globe,doz. 3 0 6 0 Herbs _per bunch 0 2 0 4 
Asparagus-per 100 6 0 10 0 Horse Radish, bundle 3 0 5 0 
Beans, French, per lb. 1 6 2 6 Lettuces ..per dozen 16 2 0 
Beet .per dozen 2 0 3 0 Mushrooms, p. basket 13 2 0 
Cabbages-per doz. 1 6 2 6. Onions_per bushel 3 6 5 0 
Carrots-perbunch 0 6 I Parsley_per bunch 0 6 
Cauliflowers, English, Radishes ..per dozen 1 6 
per dozen 3 0 6 0 1 Small salading,punnet 0 4 
Celery-per bundle 2 6 j Spinach, per strike ..20 
Cucumbers _each 0 9 16 Tomatos _per lb. 1 0 18 
Endive, French, doz. 2 6 3 6 1 Turnips _per bun. 0 6 
Potatos.— Kent Regents, 80s. to 100s. per ten ; Kent Kidneys, 
80s. to 100s. per ton ; Champions, 70s. per con. 
Out Flowers.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
Acacia or Mimosa, s.d. s.d. 
French, per bunch 10 13 
Arum Lilies, 12 blms.. 4 0 6 0 
Azalea... .doz. sprays 08 10 
Bouvardias, per bun. 0 6 10 
Camellias, 12 blooms 16 4 0 
Carnations, 12 blooms 10 2 0 
Chrysanthemums, 
per 12 bunches 4 0 9 0 
Daffodils, doz. blooms 10 2 0 
Epiphyllum,doz blms 0 6 10 
Eucharis .. per dozen 3 0 5 0 
Gardenias, 12 blooms. 9 0 18 0 
Heliotropes, 12 sprays 0 6 10 
Hyacinth... per spray 0 4 0 9 
Hyacinths (Roman), 
doz. sprays 0 5 10 
Lapageria, 12 blooms 2 0 4 0 
Liiao, white, per bun. 4 6 0 
Lilium, various, 12 bis. 1 0 8 0 
Lily of the Valley do. 0 6 10 
MaidenhairFern,12bns 4 0 9 0 
s.d. s.d. 
Marguerites, 12 bun. 3 0 6 0 
Mignonette, 12 bun. 2 0 4 0 
— (French), .per bun. 16 2 6 
Narcissus (papr-whit) 
do*, sprays 0 9 10 
Narcissus (papr-wht.) 
French, dozen buns. 3 0 6 0 
Pelargoniums,12spys. 10 16 
— scarlet .. 12 sprays 0 6 10 
Poinsettia, 12 blooms 4 0 12 0 
Primula, double, bun. 0 9 16 
Roses.per dozen 16 3 0 
Roses, Tea, per dozen 10 3 0 
— Red.per doz. 10 2 0 
— Saffrano .. per doz. 10 2 0 
8tephanotis,12 spraysl2 0 
Tuberoses, per dozen. 10 2 0 
Tulips ....12 blooms 0 9 16 
Violets... .12 bunches 10 2 0 
— French, per bunch 16 2 6 
-Parme, per buch. 3 0 4 0 
Plants in Pots.—Average Wholesale Prices. 
s.d. s.d. 
Azalea ... .per dozen24 0 36 0 
Arana Sieboidi ..doz. 6 0 18 0 
Arum Lilies..per doz. 9 0 18 0 
Begonias, various,doz. 4 0 9 0 
Bouvardias ..perdoz. S 0 12 0 
Cyperns, ..per dozen 4 0 12 0 
Dracaena term., doz. 30 0 60 0 
Dracaena viridis, doz. 12 0 24 0 
Erica, various ..doz. 12 0 18 0 
Evergreens, in var. ,, 6 0 24 0 
s.d. s. d. 
Ferns, in var.,perdoz. 4 0 18 0 
Hyacinths, per dozen 9 0 12 0 
Marguerites perdoz. 6 0 12 0 
Palms in variety, each 2 6 21 0 
Pelargoniums,scarlet, 6 0 9 0 
Poinsettia, per dozen 9 0 12 0 
Primula ... .per doz. 4 0 6 0 
Solanums... .perdoz. 9 0 12 0 
Tulips.12 pots 8 0 10 0 
CONTENTS. 
PAGE 
Anemone angulosa . 362 
Angrsecum eburneum .... 365 
Apples . 361 
Aucuba, the Himalayan.. 362 
Berberries, Ash-leaved.... 358 
Billbergia nutans . 363 
Carnation, Duke of Fife .. 360 
Clieilanthes radiata . 363 
Crocus chrysanthus. 362 
Dragon tree, a large. 357 
Eucryphia pinnatittda_35S 
Gardeners’ Calendar. 364 
Gardeners’ Improvement 
Societies . 365 
Gardeners' Orphan Fund . . 356 
Gold, Frankincense,&Myrrh359 
Iris japonica . 362 
Laelia elegans Blenheim- 
ensis . 364 
Lilies, Japan . 356 
Miltonia, a hybrid. 365 
PAGE 
Narcissus bulbocodium 
monophyllus . 362 
Odontoglossum pulchellum 365 
Oncidium saltabundum .. 364 
Oncidium varicosum. 365 
Orchard and Fruit Gardens 35S 
Orchids, experiments with 
Manures on. 359 
Orchids from Clovenfords 364 
Peach-buds dropping .... 358 
Pescatorea cerina . 364 
Philosophy of Florists' 
Flowers. 360 
Pink, the . 3.57 
Potatos, short-topped _ 362 
Primula erosa. 363 
Primulas at Reading. 357 
Pi opagating notes. 362 
Rose, Marechal Niel. 360 
Season, the . 356 
IVildsmith, Mr. W., death of 361 
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS. 
PAGE 
Auction Sales. 
Protheroe & Morris _ 354 
J. Stevens. 354 
Bulbs. 
R. Smith & Co. 355 
Catalogues. 
H. Cannell & Sons. 367 
Kelway & Son. 3.54 
Sutton & Sons. 353 
Chrysanthemums. 
W. E. Boyce . 353 
N. Davis . ... 353 
De Reydellet . 353 
H. English . 360 
Head Gardener . 353 
J. Laing & Sons . 353 
R. Owen . 353 
G. Stevens. 353 
A. J. Weston . 353 
Climbers. 
W. Fromow & Sons . 354 
G. Jackman & Son. 354 
W. Munro. 353 
R. Smith & Co. 355 
Coal anil Coke. 
W. H. Essery . 3CS 
G. J. Eveson . 353 
Cut Flowers. 
Gregory & Evans . 353 
Ferns. 
W. & J. Birkenhead . 367 
H. English . 366 
Smith. 353 
Florists’ Flowers. 
J. Galvin. 353 
W. Golby . 353 
J. Laing & Sons. 367 
Fruit Trees. 
G. Bunyard & Co. 354 
G. Jackman & Son. 354 
R. Neal. 366 
Fruit Trees and Roses. 
Hopwood. 366 
T. Rivers & Son. 367 
R. Smith & Co. 355 
Garden Sundries, &c. 
J. Arnold. 353 
A. Chandler. 353 
Carson & Sons. 354 
G. Coppin & Sons. 353 
Corry,Soper. Fowler & Co.36S 
Benjamin Edgington. 3oS 
J. Greenrod & Son . 367 
Hirst, Brooke & Hirst .. 353 
R. Sankey & Son . 366 
The “Stott” Distributor 36S 
T. Walker. 353 
Insecticides. 
J. Bentley . 366 
Bridgford's Antiseptic ... 353 
Gishurst Compound ...... 353 
Geo. Murray. 353 
Nicotine Soap . 353 
Heating Apparatus. 
Thames Bank Iron Co.... 353 
C. Toope & Co. .. 368 
Lawn Mowers. 
Chadborn ? & Coldwell 
Manufacturing Co. 353 
PAGE 
Horticultural Builders. 
J Boyd & Sons . 353 
W. Cooper . 368 
C. Frazer’s Exors. 36S 
J- Gray. 353 
H. Hope . 368 
A. Peel & Sons . 353 
W. Richardson & Co. ... 368 
J. Weeks & Co. 353 
Manures. 
Native Guano Company 368 
W. Thomson & Sons. 353 
Miscellaneous. 
Epps’ Cocoa. 368 
Gishurstine . 353 
Harrison's Knitter. 354 
A. Outram . 366 
Smyth’s Orchid Baskets 353 
Mushroom Spawn. 
Wm. Cutbush & Son. 367 
Orchids. 
Executors of the late J. 
Stevenson . 353 
Liverpool Horticultural 
Company . 354 
P. McArthur . 353 
Roses. 
H. English ... 3.53 
G. Jackman & Son. 354 
Liverpool Horticultural 
Co. 367 
J. Walters .. 353 
Seeds. 
Allen. 353 
S. Baldwin . 366 
Bell, Stuart & Co. 353 
John R. Box . 353 
Daniels Bros. 354 
Dickson’s. 354 
Dobbie & Co. 353 
John Forbes. 367 
W. Fromow & Sons . 354 
Groves & Son. 367 
W. B Hartland . 353 
Jarman & Co. . 367 
R. B. Laird & Sons . 353 
B. W. Knight . 367 
Liverpool Horticultural 
Co. 354 
E. Marshall. 353 
Ryder & Son . 355 
R. Smith & Co. 355 
B. Soddy . 355 
Stuart & Mein. 366 
Sutton & Sons. 355 
R. Sydenham . 355 
J. Veitch & Sons. 354 
Webb & Sons . 355 
B. S. Williams & Son ... 353 
Show Announcements 354 
Situations Wanted.307 
Stove and Greenhouse 
Plants. 
H. English . 366 
Hopwood. 353 
Liverpool Horticultural 
Co. 367 
Trees. 
G. Jackman & Sons . 354 
Liverpool Horticultural 
Co... 367 
R. Neal. 366 
R. Smith & Co. 355 
