February 8, 1894. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
353 
“A CHAT ABOUT 
ORCHIDS.” 
A VERY interesting work has just been published by 
Mr. Frederick Boyle, entitled “A Chat about 
Orchids.” The scientific value of the work must 
not be measured by the way in which the author 
puts his theory, but by the vast amount of informa¬ 
tion which his book contains. To all who are 
interested in horticulture this publication will 
undoubtedly be a work of great interest, as it is not 
written in a dictative mood, but in such a manner 
as will impart instruction and enlighten the student. 
Mr. Boyle from the very commencement warms to 
his work, and in his best manner tries to describe in 
the simplest form and the most graphic manner how 
he succeeded in mastering the first principles of the 
art of growing flowers successfully. Like all other 
enterprises, it is beset with the most perplexing 
difficulties, yet the masterly manner in which he 
succeeds, at once reveals to us that he had the mind 
of a genius. 
But the author does not stop when he has become 
familiar with the growth of the ordinary flower, but 
at once plunges into a most interesting narration of 
how he first became familiar with those Epiphytic 
wonders which are found in the forests of the 
tropics. He describes his first attempt at the culti¬ 
vation of them, and good-humouredly enough con¬ 
fesses the difficulties that beset him, and openly 
avows his complete failure ; but a man possessed of 
indomitable courage is not baffled by his first failure 
in attempting the growth of Orchids ; he returns 
with twofold energy, grasps the most intrinsic points, 
and turns his defeat into a glorious triumph. Having 
mastered the elementary part of their cultivation, 
the writer goes on to describe how Orchids can, by 
careful cultivation, be brought to perfection, so that 
what was once a luxury of the wealthy only may be 
brought to adorn the greenhouses of the million. Mr. 
Boyle, by much study, has become so familiar with 
the different sorts of Orchids that he classes them 
under different heads, so that the reader may at once 
discern which species of Orchids would flourish in 
different kinds of houses, and the mode of treatment 
best suited to them. The author still retains vivid 
recollections of his own early travels in foreign 
lands, and delights to descant on the hairbreadth 
adventures, narrow escapes, and months of untold 
hardships of the travellers in search of Orchids, 
who, life in hand, face the jungle and forest in order 
that they may be the bearers home of some rare and 
unseen variety. 
The author concludes his most interesting volume 
by setting apart a chapter on hybridisation. He 
puts all technical expressions on one side, and simply 
shows how a variety of flowers may be obtained by 
hybridising. This mode of producing a new and a 
choicer variety I believe to be only in its infancy. 
As we become more acquainted with the art of 
cultivation, the number of these costly gems will 
increase, and take the place of what will then be 
termed an inferior race. I heartily recommend Mr. 
Boyle’s book to all cultivators of Orchids, feeling 
sure that the more it is circulated the greater will 
be the demand for it.— R. Hinde, Broomfield, Sale, 
Cheshire. 
- ^ - 
REINWARDTIA TRIGYNA. 
Hitherto the absence of fogs has allowed this old 
favourite to keep up a fine display from autumn 
onwards. For general cultivation it is the better of the 
two species to be met with in gardens,and although the 
delicate primrose yellow flowers of R. tetragynum 
may be larger or more expanded than those of the 
plant under notice, they are not produced in the 
same profusion. Old plants of R. trigyna may be 
cut back after they have done flowering and grown 
on again by repotting them after they have started 
into fresh growth, but we always rely upon young 
plants raised from cuttings and encouraged to make 
a steady growth during the summer months by 
liberal treatment. When the rooted cuttings are 
established singly in pots, the leading shoot or shoots 
are pinched out to induce a bushy habit and thus 
lay the foundation for as many branches as possible 
during the early stages of the plants. They are then 
repotted into larger sizes before they get root bound ; 
growth is thereby prevented from getting into a 
starved and stunted condition. After a reasonable 
number of shoots are obtained, the next object is to 
encourage them to make strong growth. When 
their flowering pots have become filled with roots, 
weak liquid manure is given at every second water¬ 
ing. Nothing is gained by too close an atmosphere 
for the sake of mere height. Plenty of ventilation 
must be given on favourable occasions as well as 
syringing to get sturdy growth .—De facto. 
—-- 
AN IMPROVED WATER BARROW. 
During warm summer weather, when watering 
becomes the chief business of the day and overtime 
becomes necessary to keep the plants alive both 
under glass and in the open air, the advantage of 
good utensils becomes apparent to all, but more 
particularly to the over-laboured workman. The 
accompanying illustration of Warner’s New Tipping 
Apparatus shows a water barrel furnished with a 
rack, by which it may be hung at any angle desired 
for the convenience of dipping out the water. The 
rack is self-adjusting when the barrel is pulled for¬ 
ward by the handle for the purpose ; and when the 
barrel is empty and being drawn along the paths, 
the rack not only keeps it in position but renders it 
noiseless. Labour is lessened by the facility and 
ease with which the water can be withdrawn from 
the barrel, and time, which is of the utmost import¬ 
ance, is gained thereby. The apparatus can be 
made of any required size to meet the convenience 
of different establishments and the needs of particu¬ 
lar cases. It is known as Martin’s patent, because 
the rack adjustment was the invention of the fertile 
brain of Mr. James Martin, the manager of Messrs. 
Sutton & Sons’ Portland Road Nurseries at Read¬ 
ing. We had occasion some time ago to mention 
another simple invention of his, termed Martin’s 
Patent Flower Rack, for the artistic and effective 
arrangement of cut flowers with the greatest 
economy in material. Very encouraging testi¬ 
monials have already been received from different 
quarters respecting the satisfactory working of the 
flower rack. We are indebted to Messrs. Warner & 
Sons, 27, Jewin Crescent, Cripplegate, E.C., for this 
opportunity of illustrating the New Tipping 
Apparatus. 
-»T» < 
THE ALBERT NURSERY. 
Within easy walking distance of Peckham Rye and 
Honor Oak stations is the Albert Nursery of 
Messrs. E. D. Shuttleworth & Co., Ltd., Peckham 
Rye, London. The other branch of the establish¬ 
ment is at Fleet, Hants, and serves to supply the 
home nursery with many requisites. The principal 
object of the nurseries is to grow decorative stuff of 
all kinds for the trade, although a retail business is 
also conducted on a smaller scale. Messrs. E. D. 
Shuttleworth & Co. grow and import a large assort¬ 
ment of stuff, such as Lily of the Valley, Roman 
Hyacinths, Dutch bulbs in general. Daffodils, 
Narcissus, Tulips, Liliums, Iris, Azaleas, Palms, 
Crotons, Orchids, &c. Vines, Roses, Conifers, trees, 
and shrubs generally, as well as herbaceous plants 
are grown at Fleet. 
One of the most attractive features at present in 
the Peckham Rye Branch are the quantities of Lily 
of the Valley being forced, and to be seen at any 
time during winter in various stages of development. 
The Berlin variety is the favourite, and we are not 
surprised that the large and numerous flowers are 
much appreciated. Until fully expanded, they are 
hidden in closed frames, and in many cases covered 
with mats or something that will exclude the light 
till a certain stage of growth is reached. Notwith¬ 
standing all this, their presence cannot be ignored, 
for the visitor on entering a house where this 
popular favourite is being forced is met by a delicious 
perfume that prevades the atmosphere everywhere. 
The foliage, as might be expected, presents a very 
light shade of green, which is much appreciated by 
the general public, at least at this season of the year. 
Crowns of the first size only are used for forcing, 
and the results highly satisfactory. 
Indian Azaleas are also prominent and noticeable 
at present in several of the houses. They are im¬ 
ported from the Continent, and present the close 
habit and dark green foliage characteristic of the 
material obtained from that source. The greater 
quantity is disposed of wholesale during the early 
part of winter, while the rest is employed for forcing 
purposes to supply the cut flower business of the 
establishment. They are introduced to the forcing 
pits in batches, where some of them were in bloom 
on the occasion of our visit. ■•The purity and beauty 
of Deutsche Perle is always very engaging. The 
blooms are cut separately to be wired for decorative 
purposes. The varieties of Azalea mollis, generally 
spoken of as Ghent Azaleas, are grown at Fleet, 
where the varied character of the soil enables widely 
diverse subjects to be planted and reared with 
success. We noted some large batches of plants, of 
dwarf character, and remarkably well set with buds, 
probably as a result of last year’s long continued 
sunshine. 
Crotons have been a special feature of the nursery 
from its commencement. From a few varieties at 
first, the collection has continued to grow in extent 
both as to quantity and number of distinct varieties. 
At present the collection contains from sixty-five to 
seventy varieties, including all the leading sorts, both 
the narrow and the broad leaved kinds. The broad 
leaved forms are the most popular as a rule for ex¬ 
hibition purposes, because the leaves can then be 
allowed unlimited freedom to attain their natural size 
and character. '1 heir broad expanse and fine colours 
in crimson, bronze, gold, and green are very telling. 
Of this type, Andreanum, Baron James de Roths¬ 
child, Earl of Derby, Disraeli, Flambeau, Majesticum, 
Warreni, Undulatum, Etna, and Weismannii are too 
well known to require comment. Amongst the 
narrow leaved sorts, Picturatum, Angustifolium, 
Elegantissimum, Aigburthense, Johannis, and 
Aneitumense, constitute handsome varieties for table 
decoration. Fine sorts here are altogether too 
numerous to indicate in detail. A number of large, 
old plants are kept in stock for the purpose of 
obtaining cuttings, large batches of which may be 
seen in the rooting stage. 
Dracaenas both of the broad and narrow leaved 
types find their admirers and customers, conse¬ 
quently they come in for a large share of attention. 
Such fine things as D. terminalis and D. Lindeni 
are grown in quantity, and at present their foliage is 
in fine condition as to colour. The same may be 
said of the popular Amabilis, Baptistii, Nigra rubra, 
Bausei, Cooperi, and Congesta. The narrow leaved 
and silvery edged Doucetti cannot be increased fast 
enough to meet the demands for it. Green leaved 
species are also in evidence, including D. Draco, D. 
indivisa and D. lineata. The specimen plants of the 
latter are well furnished with foliage. Amongst 
Aralias, A. elegantissima, A. gracillima, A. Sieboldi 
and A. Chabrieri are favourites. We noted some 
plants of the latter six feet to nine feet high. A. 
Sieboldi is raised from the seed, and is valuable for 
dwelling room decoration 011 account of its hardiness. 
It will be long ere the useful Pandanus Veitchi can 
be dispensed with for decorative purposes of various 
kinds. It has displaced P. utilis to a great extent 
in private establishments, notwithstanding the fact 
that it was so widely disseminated ten to twenty 
years ago. Both are grown at Peckham Rye, but 
the first named most extensiv'ely. A very service¬ 
able Sedge in the making up of groups is Carex 
japonica variegata, the leaves of which are about 
a foot long, gracefully arching and margined with 
silvery gray. It is taller, more erect and of a darker 
green than Isolepis gracilis, which it is therefore not 
likely to displace. 
Caladiums are largely used during the season for 
brightening up the groups at various exhibitions. At 
present they are being propagated by division of the 
ubers and potted up for starting into growth. The 
