April 12, 1890. 
THE GARDENING WORLD- 
509 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANINGS. 
A Fine Form of Cypripedium callosum. 
Under good cultivation we have seen specimens of this 
Cypripedium with large flowers ; but we noted a 
variety the other day in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Laing & Sons, Forest Hill, where the upper sepal 
differed in a marked manner from the more typical 
form of the species. Instead of being obovate and 
elongated at the point, it was orbicular, or almost 
obversely reniform, and three-toothed. The ground 
colour was white, marked with bold purple veins, and 
replaced by green at the base only. The petals and 
lip were of the usual form and colour. The foliage of 
this species is something in the way of C. Lawrence- 
anum, but not quite so distinctly marbled or tessellated 
with greyish green on a dark ground. The flowers, on 
the whole, are of great size. 
Disa graminifolia. 
At first sight the flowers of this beautiful and peculiar 
Orchid resemble those of a Larkspur in no mean degree, 
only the scapes are much dwarfer and unaccompanied 
by foliage at the flowering time. The leaves produced 
afterwards are long, thread-like, and resembling grass, 
as the specific name implies. They spring from a 
small underground tuber, as the plant is as purely 
terrestrial as a Crocus. The flowers are of a rich azure- 
blue, with the exception of the disc of the lip which is 
reddish violet. The upper sepal is helmet shaped, 
spurred behind, and very remarkable even amongst 
Orchids. It is a native of South Africa, but requires a 
little shade and plenty of moisture during the growing 
season, as it naturally grows beside streams, and in 
deep ravines. There is a fine figure of it in the Orchid 
Album , pi. 399. 
Arachnanthe Lowii. 
This singular Orchid is better known perhaps under 
the name of Renanthera Lowii, but is seldom cultivated 
on account possibly of the difficulty of flowering it 
regularly and successfully. It requires a considerable 
amount of space to grow it to perfection, with a great 
amount of heat and moisture. The plant has somewhat 
the habit of a Yanda, with leathery leaves arranged in 
a two-ranked fashion. The flowers to the number of 
twenty or fifty are borne on drooping or pendulous 
racemes, 6 ft. to 12 ft. long, and are of two different 
forms, and differently coloured. The first two or three 
(commencing at the base of the raceme) are tawny 
yellow, dotted with crimson, followed by one of an 
intermediate character. The lip is small and pale rose, 
while the sepals and petals are short and broad. The 
other flowers have long narrow wavy segments of a 
creamy hue externally, and heavily blotched with 
reddish brown or crimson on a yellow ground on the 
upper surface. There is a figure of this remarkable 
species in the Revue de L’Horticulture Beige for March. 
Cypripedium Godefroy/e Laingi. 
This is a distinct and pretty new variety of C. 
Godefroyie that has made its appearance amongst an 
importation of the type in the nursery of Messrs. J. 
Laing & Sons at Forest Hill. It differs remarkably 
from the type in the diminutive size of the flower, 
which is a veritable pigmy, hut of sufficient size and so 
beautifully spotted as to constitute it a floral gem of no 
mean order. The leaves are at present 2 ins. to 3 ins. 
long, obliquely cuspidate, deep green above, marbled 
with oblong grey markings, and almost without the 
purple hue of the under surface, so prevalent in the 
more typical forms. The scape is purple, pubescent 
with grey hairs, and about 2 ins. long, bearing a 
solitary flower which is pubescent externally, and more 
or less spotted with purple. The upper sepal is 
remarkably short and broad, transversely oval, emar- 
ginate, white and spotted with purple, chiefly in lines 
upon the inner face, and the lower sepal is small and 
sub-orbicular. The petals are deflexed, narrowly 
elliptic or oblong, obliquely emarginate, bearded at the 
very base, and richly spotted all over with dark purple 
on a white ground. The lip is laterally compressed, 
gradually narrowed in front of the opening of the 
pouch, where it is nearly horizontal, and not obliquely 
sloped away as in the type. It is white and minutely 
dotted with purple, but densely so on the infolded 
lobes of the claw. The staminode is triangular, 
distinctly tricuspidate, with the middle tooth longest, 
closely spotted purple, and having the usual yellow 
blotch in the centre. The variety differs most markedly 
from the type in the shape of the sepals and lip, but 
also to some extent in the petals and staminode as well 
as in the diminutive size of the flower. 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Royal Horticultural.— April 8th. 
Spring flowers greatly predominated at the Drill Hall, 
Westminster, on Tuesday last ; but amongst the hardy 
ones the Daffodils were again in strong force. Forced 
Roses and New Holland plants also constituted features 
of the meeting, but Orchids were shown in smaller 
quantity than on the occasion of the last exhibition. 
A Silver Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. Wm. 
Rumsey, Joynings Nurseries, Waltham Cross, for a 
group of Roses, amongst which were Marechal Niel, 
Madame Hoste, Niphetos, Souvenir d’un Ami, and 
Madame Lambard, representing Tea varieties, while 
Madame Gabriel Luizet, Alphonse Soupert, and Lady 
Mary Fitzwilliam were amongst his best H.P. sorts. 
A similar award was made to Messrs. Paul & Son, 
for a varied collection of hardy herbaceous and 
alpine plants as well as shrubs. Amongst the former 
were Gentiana verna, Androsace villosa, A. carnea, 
varieties of Tulipa Greigi and Tecophiliea cyano- 
crocus. Mr. James Walker, Ham Common, Surrey, 
showed a group of Daffodils, including such fine varie¬ 
ties as Emperor, Conspicua, Princess Mary, Sir Watkin, 
Lady Watkin, Mary Anderson, J. C. Backhouse, and 
others, for which he received a Silver Banksian Medal. 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, Covent Garden, had an interesting 
group of Daffodils, amongst which were to be found 
many of the leading and popular kinds, as well as 
Anemone stellutata and A. fulgens. A small group 
of New Holland plants were brought up from 
the Royal Gardens, Kew. 0. T. Hodges, Esq., 
Lachine, Chislehurst, exhibited a group of numerous 
species of Primula, including P. glaucescens, P. viscosa, 
P. rosea, P. villosa, P. marginata, P. m. grandiflora, 
P. verticillata, and many others, for which he was 
awarded a Bronze Banksian Medal. The other exhibits 
of this class of plants were smaller. Messrs. J. Veitch 
& Sons, Chelsea, exhibited a few Hippeastrums, in¬ 
cluding Grand Monarch and Dante, the first named 
being the finest. Mr. J. Hudson, gardener to the 
Messrs. De Rothschild, had some flowering specimens of 
Maranta Warscewiczii, Habrothamnus Newelli, and a 
quantity of Magnolia conspicua. A basket of Poly¬ 
anthus, chiefly yellow, was shown by Mr. J. Wilkins, 
gardener to J. M. Pearson, Esq., The Grange, Kingston 
Hill. The Rev. W. Wilks, Shirley Cottage, Croydon, 
showed Cytissus purpureus. Some very freely-flowered 
Primroses were brought up by Mr. R. Dean, Ealing, 
including varieties named White Cloud, Easter Even, 
Wm. Ingram, and Terra Cotta. From the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society’s gardens at Chiswick were brought 
up specimens of Aucuba japonica nanavera, very richly 
berried, and Camellia japonica from the open air. 
A Bronze Banksian Medal was awarded to Mr. P. 
Blair, Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, for a group 
of Orchids, including some fine pieces of Dendrobium 
nobile nobilius, D. n. Cooksoni, Odontoglossum Rucker- 
ianum Trentham var., 0. flaveolum and others. A 
similar award was made to F. Wigan, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. W. H. Young), Clare Lawn, East Sheen, for a 
group consisting of some good samples of Cattleya 
Trianse Schroderae, Cypripedium Swannianum, Lycaste 
Harrisoniae and Angraicum Leonis. Another group 
was shown by F. G. Tautz, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. C, 
Cowley), Studley House, Hammersmith ; in it were 
Cattleya Lawrenceana rosea, Disa sagittalis, a good 
variety of Odontoglosssum cirrhosum, and others. A 
large plant of Angnecum sesquipedale, with some 
Odontoglossums, was exhibited by the Rev. Handley 
(gardener, Mr. S. Veerstake), 19, Royal Crescent, Bath. 
A Cultural Commendation was awarded to E. Ellis, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr.T. A. Glover), Manor House, Wallington, 
for a fine piece of Aerides suavissimum with pink and 
yellow, sweetly scented flowers. Messrs. J. Laing & 
Sons, Forest Hill, brought up Cypripedium Godefroyse 
Laingi, anew variety with small flowers. T. H. Powell, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. Geo. Palmer), Drinkstone Park, 
Bury St. Edmunds, showed cut flowers of a rosy variety 
of Odontoglossum Pescatorei ; and Drewett 0. Drewett, 
Esq., Riding Mill on Tyne, had specimens of Den¬ 
drobium thyrsiflorum and Cypripedium delieatulum. 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, exhibited Den¬ 
drobium atroviolaceum, a species from New Guinea 
in the way of D. macrophyllum. 
At a meeting of the Fruit Committee two dishes 
of Strawberries of the varieties Auguste Nicaise and 
Laxton's Noble were shown by Mr. J. Smith, Mentmore. 
A collection of thirteen varieties of Broccoli were 
brought up from the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society at Chiswick. The best of the white kinds were 
Cooling’s Matchless, Leamington, Sharpe’s Monarch, 
and Mammoth. Close heads were also shown in 
Knight’s Protecting and Sutton’s Perfection. Purple 
and White Sprouting varieties were also shown. 
Royal Caledonian Horticultural.— 
April 2 r ad and Zrd. 
All concerned in the management of the spring show 
of this society, held in the Waverley Market on the 
above dates, are sincerely to be congratulated on its 
success, for a better display the society has not put 
before its patrons for many years, and a very large 
number of visitors on both days showed their appre¬ 
ciation of the treat afforded. The special feature of the 
exhibition was the handsome groups of plants, covering 
400 square feet each, contributed by Messrs. R. B. 
Laird & Sons and Messrs. Ireland & Thomson, and 
which, instead of being placed on tables as heretofore, 
were grouped on the floor in designs which had a 
singularly telling effect. The competition in this 
class was confined to these two firms, and the prizes 
were taken in the order named. In the gardeners’ and 
amateurs’ competition for a small table of plants, Mr. 
Grossart, gardener to R. Buchanan, Esq., secured the 
premier award, and for a still smaller table of hardy 
spring flowers Messrs. Munro & Ferguson were similarly 
successful. Mr. McIntyre, The Glen, secured the 
leading prizes for a dozen forced plants in bloom, for 
three Orchids, and for a single Orchid. Mr. Paterson, 
Millbank, had the best for Azaleas, the best half-dozen 
stove and greenhouse plants, and the finest Azalea 
mollis and Cape Heaths. Mr. G. M’Kinnon, Melville 
Castle, Mr. A. Laing, Salisbury Green, and Mr 
McLennan, Restalrig, were also successful competitors 
For groups of a dozen hardy Rhododendrons, Messrs. 
R. B. Laird & Sons and Messrs. Ireland & Thomson 
both received first prizes, and the latter firm secured 
also the highest honours for Azalea indica, Azalea 
mollis, and stove and greenhouse plants; while Messrs. 
R. B. Laird & Sons carried all before them in compe¬ 
titions with Camellias, Palms, Crotons, Dracaenas, 
plants for table decorations, new plants, Tulips, 
Narcissi, &e. Messrs. Jas. Dickson & Sons had the 
finest Conifers ; Messrs. A. Kerr & Sons the best two 
dozen Hyacinths ; Mr. J. Bryson, Helensburgh, 
the best cut Roses and Auriculas among nurserymen ; 
and Mr. J. Henderson, the best two dozen Roses 
among amateurs. 
Fruits and vegetables were well shown for the season, 
and among the leading exhibitors we noted Mr. 
McIntyre, The Glen ; Mr. L. Dow, Newbyth ; Mr. 
Mclndoe, Hutton Hall; Mr. Smith, Oxenford Castle ; 
Mr. Smith, Dalkeith ; Mr. G. Potter, North Berwick ; 
and Mr. P. Robertson. Among the miscellaneous con¬ 
tributions we must not omit mention of a very attrac¬ 
tive table of Primula Sieboldii varieties, exhibited by 
Messrs. Ryder & Son, of Sale, Manchester ; and a new 
Apple, named Cardross Green, for which Messrs. 
Dicksons & Co. received a certificate. 
In the afternoon a dinner was held in the Waterloo 
Hotel. Councillor Colston presided, and Mr. Thomson, 
Clovenfords, was croupier. The chairman gave 
“Prosperity to the Royal Caledonian Horticultural 
Society.” Anyone who had witnessed the fine exhi¬ 
bition held that day, he said, must have felt proud of 
the horticulture of Scotland. It had reached an 
advanced period in its history, which possibly some 
might think could never be excelled. Nevertheless, it 
was the case that as the years passed over their heads 
improvements would be found which were not dreamed 
of at the present time. In going through the exhi¬ 
bition there was one circumstance which could not fail 
to strike the visitor when he contrasted the state of 
horticulture at the present day with what it was fifty 
years ago. Half a century ago horticulture was chiefly 
followed by those who were the lords of the soil. But 
while they were proud to recognise the exhibits from 
Dalkeith Palace, Newbattle Abbey, Archerfield, and 
many other seats of the nobility and gentry of the land, 
they were gratified to find the mercantile community 
competing, and successfully competing, even with the 
lords of the soil. This wholesome rivalry between the 
nobility and those engaged in commercial pursuits not 
only showed the advanced state of agriculture in the 
country, but the wonderful progress that had been 
made in the trade and the commerce of the country. 
It was now twenty-five years ago since first this society 
established its international flower show, and it had 
been the pioneer of many other flower exhibitions of 
various kinds which had been held in Edinburgh and 
in Scotland ; and the only thing they could desire was 
