194 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
November 25 , 1893 
One of the best forms of it here is considered 
identical with Ashw’orthae. 
Very handsome in its blackish-crimson and dense 
spotting is C. Oenanthum superbum. Pale in colour 
and distinct is C. tonsum, though much less orna¬ 
mental. Two hybrids, apparently of Continental 
origin and named C. Leforcadei and C. Bartettii, 
bear a close resemblance to one another, but the 
latter is the finer, having a greater amount of purple 
on the upper sepal, and both may be described as 
pretty. C. concinum has pale purple and darker 
lines on the upper sepal. C. Hebe is a hybrid with 
a larger highly coloured upper sepal than C. 
Hookerae or C. enfieldense, with which it is closely 
related. C. marmorophyllum with marbled leaves 
also belongs to the same group. The nearly 
orbicular upper sepal of C. Janus is heavily suffused 
with deep rosy-purple, and handsome. Other 
hybrids in bloom at present are C. Amesianum, C. 
Oenanthum obscurum, C. Crossianum psittacinum 
differing from the type in the spots on the upper 
sepal, C. Indra, and C. Diana. The latter is a 
hybrid between C. barbatum superbum and C. 
Spicerianum, having the large, purple and con¬ 
spicuous lip of the former. The large and light 
coloured flowers of C. T. B. Haywood are choice 
and pleasing. The upper sepal has the claret mid¬ 
rib of C. Druryi, one of its parents, and the petals 
are finely dotted with purple, the ground colour 
throughout being white or nearly so. Another 
hybrid that always attracts attention from its large 
and handsomely coloured flowers is C. Morganiae. 
The shining brown petals and the upper sepal 
suffused with purple on a white ground are charac¬ 
teristic of C. Bellona. 
Amongst the Old World types of the genus we 
noted some very fine forms of different species, 
including C. callosum. C. Godefroyae leucochilum 
rejoices in a pure white lip. The spotting of C. 
Argus is also very rich. The ground colour of C. 
concolor Regnieri is of a more decided shade of 
yellow than in the type. We noted a batch of C. 
Victoria Marie, a form of C. Chamberlaini, which 
may give some surprises when the plants come, into 
bloom. They have recently been imported, but are 
now getting nicely established. 
The species and hybrids of the New World types 
belonging to the section Selenipedium are numerous 
and well cared for. Some of them are of huge size, 
including C. leucorhodum. The dark green, leathery 
and sedge-like leaves of C. Schomburgkii are similar 
to but shorter than those of C. caricinum and the 
rhizomes creep much less extensively. The hybrid 
C. Ainsworthii is notable for the rich carmine-rose 
margins to the long petals. C. Roezlii Leodense has 
more nearly horizontal petals than the type. Two 
huge plants of C. Sedeni candidulum are only three 
or four years old. A larger piece of C. cardinale 
bore twelve spikes of bloom. A valuable piece of 
C. Lindleyanum is just throwing up a remarkably 
strong flower spike. The huge leaves measure 2 ft. 
to 2 ft, 9 in. long, and in. to 3 in. wide. 
Masdevallias and their Allies. 
There are something like 300 species and hybrids, 
but mostly species of this group in the collection. 
Some of them are handsome, others curious, and 
not a few structurally remarkable things. All the 
larger flowered Masdevallias are grown, but few of 
them are in bloom in present. M. Heathei is a 
hybrid between M. tovarensis and M. Davisi, and 
the flowers open of a deep yellow like the latter, but 
gradually fade to white like the former. A pretty 
little species is M. hieroglyphica with rosy cupped 
flowers heavily coloured with deep purple in places. 
M. guttula is spotted with purple on a white ground. 
Larger is M. infracta with rich rosy-purple flowers. 
It was one of the first, if not the first, species of 
Masdevallia brought to this country, and was 
collected on the Organ Mountains in 1837. The 
long-tailed M. macrura is large and striking as M. 
Vespertilio is curious in some respects. Other 
species flowering at present are M. callura, M. 
striatella, and several others. 
The genus Scaphocephalum has recently been 
separated from Masdevallia, and is characterised by 
the reversed condition of the flowers which are 
upside down, and a curious thickened disc or cushion 
on the face and near the tips of what should be the 
two lower sepals. S. antenniferum is one of the 
most conspicuous, and has the cushion dotted with 
crimson. S. pulvinaris is darker and more densely 
spotted. Much smaller in every way are S. brevis 
and S. ochthodes. The latter has been known to 
flower continuously for five years without a break. 
The glaucous, mealy leaves of Pleurothallis punctu- 
lata are very unusual in the family. The sepals and 
petals are heavily spotted with purple. Very 
singular is P. sicaria, the leaf and stem appearing 
continuous. P. cardium is another curiosity, but P. 
Barberiana is pretty, as is P. ornata with purple 
flowers and white fringes. Stelis micrantha is very 
floriferous, graceful, and curious. 
The Cattleya house is enlivened with numerous 
flowering pieces of C. labiata, some of the varieties 
being notable for the rich and handsome colouring 
of the lip. The flowers of C. Bowingiana are large 
and dark in colour. Laelia grandis tenebrosa has 
also flowered and is about over. A new span-roofed 
house has just been built to accommodate the cool 
Odontoglossums; and it may be stated that the 
house occupies the last bit of ground in the garden 
available for greenhouse structures. The plants are 
all in good health, but not flowering yet, although 
many of them are throwing up their flower spikes. 
-- 
EDINBURGH CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SHOW. 
The Scottish Horticultural Association’s Chrysan¬ 
themum show was held in the Waverley Market on 
the i6th, 17th, and i8th inst. The number of 
entries was 880, an increase over last year of fifty- 
five, and the fine taste in the arranging of them was 
quite maintained up to the high reputation gained in 
former years. The exceptionally fine summer in 
Scotland has been very favourable to Chrysanthe¬ 
mum growers, and to the honour of Scottish 
growers, let it be said they have taken the full ad¬ 
vantage of it, for the quality of the exhibits, as a 
whole, was far superior to what we are accustomed 
to see so far north, and specially noteworthy were the 
specimen plants. Better grown and flowered pot 
plants have never been staged in Edinburgh. The 
competition was invariably keen and close all along 
the line. The grand display for the city of Edin¬ 
burgh prize—Cup value £20 —was one of the great 
features of attraction, and to gain it forty-eight 
blooms Japanese Chrysanthemums (not less than 
thirty-six varieties) must be staged. The position of 
honour was given to Mr. James Beisant, Castle 
Huntley, Longforgan; Mr. J. Machar, Broughty 
Ferry, coming in second ; and Mr. Wm. Rushton 
Cochna, Duntocker, third ; the fourth ticket going to 
Mr. Jas. Carruthers, Hillwood, Corstorphine. The 
judging in this class did not give general satisfaction, 
and was the cause of much adverse criticism, Mr. 
Rushton’s exhibit being the favourite for the first 
place, etc. 
For the Scottish Challenge Cup, offered for 
thirty-six blooms of Japanese Chrysanthemums, 
not less than twenty - four varieties, Mr. 
D. Nickol, Rossie, Forgandenny, gained the blue 
ribbon, Mr. J. Kyles, Gogar, getting the second 
ticket. For twenty-four blooms, Japanese, Mr. 
Rushton was first, and Mr. W. G. Pirie, Sunderland 
Hall, Selkirk, second. In the incurved section, Mr. 
J. Clark, Bannerfield, Selkirk, lead the way with 
twenty-four blooms, and he was also first for twelve 
blooms, and took the Association's Silver Medal for 
three blooms of the best new Chrysanthemums. 
Mr. A. Watt, Skelmorlie, was first for twelve 
reflexed blooms. 
Bouquets and vases of Chrysanthemums were 
very good. Mr. James Beisant was first, and Mr. 
Copeland second for the hand bouquet, and Mr. 
Kidd, Carberry Tower, first, and Mr. J. P'raser, 
Canaan Park, second for the vase of Chrysanthe¬ 
mums. Mrs. R. Laird, 32, Coltbridge Terrace, and 
Miss Allan, Glenalmond, were equal for the vase of 
Chrysanthemums in the ladies section. Mr. R. W. 
E. Murray, Blackford House, in the amateurs’ 
class, carried all before him. Group of Chrysan¬ 
themums : Mr. Jas. Petrie was a grand first, and 
Mr. D. Jardine, Ravelston, made a good second. 
Mr. Wood, Oswald House, was first for a group of 
Chrysanthemums and foliage plants; also first for 
specimen Palms; and Mr. M. McIntyre and Mr. A. 
Crichton, Southfield, were first and second in the 
order given for six Dracaenas and eight decorative 
foliage plants, the latter being also first for four 
decorative foliage plants. Mr. A. Farquhar, Craig- 
crook, was first for specimen Ferns, and Mr. J. 
Fraser for table Ferns. Mr. D. Cavanagh, Murray- 
field, scored great success in the specimen pot 
Chrysanthemums, taking seven firsts. Fruit, 
especially Apples, were remarkably fine, and the 
vegetables were splendid. 
Mr. H. J. Jones. Ryecroft Nursery, Lewisham, 
took the lead in the nurserymen’s section for forty- 
eight blooms of Chrysanthemums, Messrs. R. B. 
Laird & Sons coming in second, but the latter firm 
were first for Palms, and for a grand collection of 
Conifers, &c., they also got the first ticket, Messrs. 
Dickson & Sons coming in second. 
In the miscellaneous class, Mr. H. J. Jones also 
took a Silver Medal for the best bloom in the show, 
a grand flower of Lord Brooke, and was besides 
awarded a Gold Medal for a very fine miscellaneous 
collection. 
Two fine features of the show were tables of 
flowers contributed by Mr. John Downie, and 
Messrs. Todd & Co,, the former exhibiting from his 
new florists’ department a fine collection of bouquets, 
fans, harps, an easel decorated with flowers, &c., 
the graceful arrangement, and the style of which is 
entirely new to Edinburgh. The Messrs. Todd’s 
was a magnificent exhibition of finely got up 
bouquets, and we expect that the highest awards will 
be given them for their displays. Mr. Campbell, 
Blantyre, had a grand show of Carnations and 
Pinks. Messrs. R. B. Laird & Sons had a fine table 
of foliage plants, and Messrs. Methven an attractive 
table of Ferns and cut Chrysanthemums, &c. 
Messrs. Edwards & Sons, Sherwood, a splendid 
exhibit of his Edwardian decorations. Messrs. 
Cross & Sons, Messrs. Ford & Co., Mr. Wm. Brown 
and others had very fine exhibits. This was the 
best show that has ever been held by the Association, 
and the attendance of the public showed an increase 
on last year by a considerable number,— Caledonian. 
__ 
■ ♦ ■ 
THE GROWTH OF VEGETABLES 
IN 1893. 
It is a long time since there has been such a season 
as the one which will soon be drawing to a close, for 
the growth of vegetables. Different localities make 
a great difference to crops sown on certain dates, as 
regards their earliness or otherwise. Soil and 
situation, too, play a very important part, but none of 
these should prevent the practical cultivator from 
obtaining satisfactory results if pains are taken in 
preparing the ground and attending to the plants’ re¬ 
quirements during the time growth is being made. 
It is always as well during the long evenings to 
balance accounts as it were, that is, to look over 
carefully the various kinds of crops that have been 
grown during the season, and note down their 
various characteristics. We would not advise grow¬ 
ing certain things simply because they were new, or 
had received Certificates from the R.H.S., as most 
practical men know that these Certificates stand for 
nothing, except it be for trade purposes. However, 
as they are given, it is well that all should know 
there is no special merit attached to them, and that 
there are a great number of vegetables which have 
not received such awards that are quite as good. 
In looking over last season’s crops we find that 
neither Veitch’s Early Forcing, nor Sutton’s First 
Crop Cauliflower were up to the usual standard, for 
the dry, hot weather during April gave them but 
little chance of establishing themselves. These two 
kinds with us have usually been ready for use by the 
end of May, or beginning of June, when their com¬ 
pact tender heads have been much appreciated. 
Seed sown in January, and the plants pricked out 
when large enough on to slight hot beds, and after¬ 
wards finally transferred to the open ground the first 
week in April, have turned out well, but this season 
was against such treatment, so the heads were small, 
and not of that tender crisp nature which is so 
desirable. Walcheren, Sutton’s Magnum Bonum, 
and Sutton’s Autumn Mammoth all did well. 
Autumn Mammoth is by far the best summer and 
Autumn variety I have yet grown. It is dwarf and 
compact, producing fine heads of pearly whiteness. 
Veitch’s Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli has done 
well this season, but Autumn Giant has grown too 
tall. 
Turnips have been exceptionally good all through 
the season, though there was some difficulty in 
establishing them during June; however, with care 
and the assistance of north borders this was over¬ 
come, so that there was no lack of juicy tubers. 
