THE GARDENING WORLD. 
375 
February 10, 1894. 
on the western ascend to the higher lands the saturation 
is almost constant. In the Columbia Guiana region 
Cattleyas are found in the ravines and valleys of the 
Cordilleras at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 
2,000 feet. In these situations the plants affix them¬ 
selves indifferently to the trunks and branches of 
trees. Here for several months in the year they are 
drenched almost daily by the heavy rains brought 
from the Atlantic by the north-east trade winds. 
The South Brazilian Cattleyas are found on high 
undulating table-lands, at an average elevation of 
over 2,000 feet, through the valleys of which flow 
large streams, along whose banks the trees are 
covered with a profusion of epiphytes. This region 
is one of the most luxuriant tracts of vegetation 
known, and here growth goes on uninterruptedly the 
} ear round. From the above it will be evident that 
though the Cattleya is brought from a vast area, it 
grows under similar climatic conditions everywhere, 
so that they may be, with few exceptions,grown in one 
house. The compost used for potting should consist 
of the best fibrous peat and charcoal. Drainage 
must be perfect, for during the growing season the 
plants must be liberally watered, and when at rest it 
will be necessary to drain away that which is given 
them as quickly as possible. The house must be 
constantly damped down during the growing period ; 
two or three times a day not being too often; but as 
cold weather advances, once or twice a week will be 
found sufficient to maintain the requisite humidity 
of the atmosphere for the well-being of the plants. 
Ventilation must be regulated according to the 
weather, but at no time should there be a sudden 
change in the degree of temperature of the house. 
The shading should always be kept down while the 
sunshine is bright, especially so while the plants are 
growing ; for the young foliage would get spoiled by 
the direct rays of the sun unless very great care were 
exercised in ventilating and watering. 
Laelias. 
As these are so closely related to the former genus, 
it will not be necessary to describe them separately, 
but a few quite distinct ones may be noticed, as L. 
superbiens, L. anceps. These thrive best when 
suspended from the roof of the house, so that they 
may get all the light and air possible. Schomburg- 
kia and Sophronitis are two genera akin to the 
former, and being of no particular merit we may 
pass over them with but a glance, and proceed to our 
next genus. 
Brassia. 
Though near relations of the Oncidium Brassia 
may be readily distinguished by observing the long 
tail-like appendage to their sepals. Though the 
flowers are dull in colour, yet they are very inte¬ 
resting, and most of them fragrant. They thrive 
with the Oncidium potted with peat, and being 
evergreen should not be allowed to get dry in 
winter. 
Cymbidium. 
Several species of this genus are very handsome. 
They succeed best in the E. Indian house, potted in 
peat, and are propagated in the same manner as 
Cypripediums. 
Ly CASTE. 
Of this group, little need be said, as L. Skinneri 
is so well known that no description of it is 
necessary. It is one of the most interesting of its 
class, for there are so many different forms 
that we rarely find two exactly alike, L. Harrisoni 
is beautifully fragrant. They will thrive in an 
intermediate house, or even with the Odonto- 
glossums, and when in bloom they may be transferred 
to the sitting room for a week with safety, where 
their sweetly-scented flowers will be appreciated. 
Zygopetalum. 
With this genus we will conclude. Though not 
containing many species, yet some of them are well 
worthy of cultivation. The old Z. Mackayi which 
flowers freely in winter, and produces its long spikes 
of sweet-smelling flowers in the dull months, is a 
general favourite. Z. maxillare and rostratum also 
deserve notice. They require an intermediate 
temperature to be potted in peat, and abundant 
watering when growing. 
I hope that these few remarks may have given 
some idea of the importance of keeping the different 
genera in houses by themselves, and of being content, 
with a limited space, only to grow those Orchids 
which will thrive under similar treatment, for 
if those originally natives of a hot country 
be placed in the same house as others from a 
temperate climate, neither can possibly give satisfac¬ 
tion, and will therefore be a source of trouble instead 
of pleasure to their owners. May those who have 
suitable houses at command, and are desirous of 
increasing their collections, and extending their 
knowledge, succeed in their efforts, is the earnest 
wish of— H. C. Pritisep. 
-- 
ARDENING §[lSCELLANY. 
A GOLDEN BALSAM. 
A NEW species of Balsam has been described by 
Prefessor Baillon under the name of Impatiens 
auricoma. His description was taken from dried 
specimens sent home by M. Leon Humblot, the 
French explorer so well known to Orchid growers 
for his discoveries of their popular flower. Like 
many other pretty plants, the Balsam under notice 
has been introduced by mere chance. Two or three 
years ago M. Humblot sent home trunks of tree 
ferns to M. Landry a nurseryman at Paris. They 
proved to be dead on their arrival, but Impatiens 
auricoma grew up on the trunk of one of them, and 
was acquired by M. Godefroy-Lebeuf. The latter 
transferred numerous rooted cuttings to the open air, 
and although they suffered a little in the full sun 
they behaved admirably when partly shaded. The 
species flowers perpetually, and cuttings 4 in. high 
show their flower buds from the time they are 
rooted, and seedlings two months old behave in the 
same way. When returned to a warm or even a 
temperate greenhouse, the plants which have 
summered out of doors continue to flower and never 
rest. The Balsam with golden locks as it has been 
poetically termed on account of its numerous 
flowers which surmount the branches is a perennial 
with fleshy stems of a rosy colour overlaid with a 
clear vinous tint. The leaves are dark green with 
rosy nerves. In form the flowers are like those of 
I. Roylei, but golden yellow except the throat which 
is lined with purple. A woodcut showing the habit 
of the plant with a truss of flowers on a larger scale 
is given in the Revue de L'Hoiiiciilture Beige for this 
month. 
STROBILANTHES ISOPHYLLUS, 
Although the flowers of this plant lack the bright¬ 
ness of many plants grown for the decoration of the 
greenhouse or conservatory during winter, yet the 
profusion of bloom produced and the length of time 
during which a plant will remain in a presentable 
condition, are qualifications that can hardly be 
overlooked by those who have to keep up a display 
with flowering plants during the dull months of the 
year. The flowers are of a lavender colour, 
and produced in clusters in the axils of the leaves 
all along the young shoots. This explains the long 
duration of the flowers, which commence to expand 
on the lower parts of the growths, and keep on, 
in succession till the uppermost flowers are 
expanded. Young plants about 12 in. to 15 in. high, 
and proportionately bushy, make the most serviceable 
for decorative purposes. To give the cultivator 
sufficient time to develop good bushy plants, the 
cuttings should be taken off in March and rooted. 
For this purpose, a few old plants should be cut 
back and placed in heat to start them into fresh 
growth. Withhold water to a great extent until the 
young growths commence to growly freely again; 
atmospheric moisture can be kept up by the use of 
the syringe, damping the plants overhead to encourage 
growth, to avoid watering at the roots for a time as 
it is injurious. When the cuttings are well rooted, 
pot them oft singly and pinch the tops after they 
become established in the fresh soil to induce a 
bushy habit. This operation can be repeated until 
a sufficient number of shoots have been obtained to 
form a nice bushy specimen. We are careful always 
not to overpot the plant, bat feed with liquid 
manure when the flowering pots are filled with roots. 
•—De facto. 
SOLANUM SEAFORTHIANUM, 
Some climbers flower for a short time and then give 
over for the season, while others, like the Passion¬ 
flowers and Tasconias, keep up a display all through 
the season after they have attained the flowering 
stage. A very much smaller and circumscribed 
number either keep up a display all the year round, 
or could readily be made to do so by the use of a 
few plants which might be pruned back at different 
times so as to ensure a succession. Species which 
might be treated in this way are Oestrum elegans, 
best known under the name of Habrothamnus, 
Solanum jasminoides and S. Seaforthianum, for they 
seem to be always in flower when grown under suit¬ 
able conditions, except when they have to be cut 
back to Trestrict their growth within due limits and 
give them a fresh start. This operation becomes 
necessary in plant houses, otherwise these rampant 
growers could never be restrained within due bounds. 
When in bloom, however, the profusion of their 
flowers and the vigour of their vegetation cannot be 
gainsaid. The leaves of S. Seaforthianum are 
pinnatisect with a large terminal segment, the rest 
being small; sometimes the leaf is ovate and un¬ 
divided. The flowers are produced in large cymes 
or bunches, and are pale lilac-blue with golden 
anthers characteristic of the species of Solanum 
generally. They are produced at the ends of the 
numerous, slender and pendant branches continually 
ramifying while growth goes on. When trained up 
under the rafters of a stove, the plant is seen to best 
advantage, owing to its drooping habit. The species 
is a native of the West Indies, and is figured in the 
Botanical Magazine, 5823, under the name of S. 
venustum. 
EUPATORIUM ATRORUBENS. 
Some years ago this plant was best or perhaps 
generally known under the name of Hebeclinium 
atrorubens. The genus is a very large one, and, 
doubtless, botanists seize upon the smallest character 
by which they can with any degree of consistency form 
a new genus. The species classed under Hebecli¬ 
nium, so far as those under cultivation are concerned, 
have flowers of some shade of pale blue or lilac 
whereas the bulk of the Eupatoriums proper have 
white flowers. E. Atrorubens generally grows about 
2 ft. to 2j ft. high, and bears large, opposite, ovate 
leaves of a dark green, with their footstalks and 
principal ribs covered with purple hairs, as are the 
stems themselves. This gives the plant an attractive 
and handsome effect, even before it comes into 
bloom. The flower heads are likewise covered with 
purple hairs, and are conspicuous while still in bud ; 
the flowers themselves are lilac-purple and very 
showy. The plant is a native of Mexico, and requires 
to be grown under similar treatment given to Poin- 
settas; in other words it requires rather warmer 
treatment than the rest of the Eupatoriums, particu¬ 
larly when making its growth. In the winter time 
while in flower it may be kept in a greenhouse or 
conservatory where the temperature is kept up to 
50° or 55°. Cuttings may be rooted in spring by 
placing them in a close frame in light soil. Any 
stopping that may be given must be effected in the 
early stages of the plants, as the stems require all 
the season to attain strength to flower properly. Old 
plants may be cut back after flowering and grown 
on again if large specimens are desired. Both E. 
atrorubens and E. ianthinum grow more slowly and 
branch less freely than E. riparium, or E. Wein- 
mannianum. 
LAPORTEA PELTATA. 
Something like twenty-five species of Laportea are 
known to science, consisting of herbs, shrubs and 
trees that require a stove temperature to grow them 
in this country. The leaves of some are ornamental, 
while in other cases they are merely curious. The 
plants are notable for their stinging properties, and 
have to be handled with great care in order to avoid 
being stung by them, as the irritating and painful 
effects they produce usually last for several days. 
The plant under notice has ovate leaves, peltate at 
the base, and furnished with the usual stinging hairs. 
The fruit is the most attractive and ornamental part 
of the plant, and hangs from the stem in clusters 
similar to those of L. moroides. The clusters of 
berry like pips are not unlike those of a Mulberry, 
but are much paler, being of a clear, semi-transparent 
purple. A fruiting specimen may be seen in the 
Begonia house at Kew. 
PEAR ROI CHARLES DE WURTEMBERG. 
In the raising of new varieties of Pears great atten¬ 
tion has been given to Beurre Clairgeau as a seed 
parent, and many raisers have tried and others pre¬ 
tended to effect a cross between it and some other 
variety ; but the results have generally shown that 
no cross had been effected, as the seedlings turned 
