February 24, 1894. 
403 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
ORCHID NOTES AND GLEANIMS. 
By John Fraser, F.L.S., Kew. 
The Orchids described below were exhibited at the 
meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on the 
13'h inst., and received awards according to merit. 
Laelio-Cattleya Tydea, Nov. hyh. 
The seed parent of this bigeneric hybrid was Laelia 
pumila crossed with the pollen of Cattleya labiata 
Trianae. The sepals and petals are rosy, the latter 
being oblong-elliptic. The lip seems to have lost 
all the lines, lamellae, or ribs characteristic of 
Laelia pumila, but the lamina nevertheless is of a 
rich purple and velvety hue, with wavy margins. 
Like the seed parent, it is of dwarf habit, but the 
flowers are intermediate in size between both parents. 
An Award of Merit was accorded it when shown by 
Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons, Chelsea. 
Laelio-Cattleya Hon. Mrs. Aston, Nov. hyh. 
In this beautiful Orchid we have a bigeneric hybrid 
which is in itself very distinct, and shows a combina¬ 
tion of colours that is by no means common. The 
parents were Cattleya Gaskelliana crossed with 
Laelia xanthina. The oblong sepals are Nankeen- 
yellow, while the much broader petals are folded 
backwards along the middle in such a way as to 
remind one of Laelia crispa; they are, indeed, 
crisped at the margin, but paler in colour than the 
sepals. The lamina of the lip is suborbicular, 
crisped, and of a rich purple ; the throat is orange 
and striated with crimson ; the tube externally is 
soft yellow. Altogether the male parent has con¬ 
tributed a considerable amount of colour to its 
progeny. The plant is now five years and one 
month old, counting from the time of sowing the 
seed. A First-class Certificate was awarded it 
when shown by Messrs. F. Sander & Co. 
Calanthe Baron Schroder, Nov. hyh. 
Two plants of this beautiful Calanthe were 
exhibited by Baron Schroder (gardener Mr. H. 
Ballantine), The Dell’ Egham. It was obtained by 
the reciprocal crossing of C. vestita oculata 
gigantea, and C. regnieri. The results in both 
cases were identical. The lanceolate sepals and 
oblanceolate petals were of a rich purplish crimson 
with some white markings. The lip on the contrary 
was much more intensified, and might be described 
as maroon-crimson. Great activity has recently 
been displayed in the raising of hybrid Calanthes, 
and success in this case has crowned the efforts of 
the raiser, in the production of the finest of the dark 
Calanthes that have yet appeared. A First-class 
Certificate was accorded it. 
Cypripedium Fra.ser\, Nov. hyh. 
The upper sepal of this hybrid is ovate and rosy- 
purple, slightly suffused with green towards the very 
base. The oblong, deflexed petals are twisted above 
the middle, ciliate at the edges, spotted with black 
on the lower half on a greenish ground, and clear 
purple over the other portion. The lip is slightly 
compressed at the sides, and of a deep, almost 
uniform purple. The ligulate leaves are light green 
and reticulate with deep green, the dark markings 
being very small. There can be little doubt of the 
parentage. The upper sepal, the apical half of the 
petals, and the lip show the effects of C. hirsutissi- 
mum, while the spotting of the lower half of the 
petals points to C. Argus. The twist above the middle 
of the petalsis derived from C. hirsutissimum. The 
almost uniform rosy-purple hue of the upper sepal 
is remarkable, and in that respect the hybrid differs 
from others derived in part from C. hirsutissimum. 
An Award of Merit was accorded to it when 
exhibited by R. I. Measures, Esq. (gardener, Mr. 
Henry Chapman), Cambridge Lodge, Camberwell. 
Phalaenopsis Youngi, Nov. var. 
In this we have a new form related to P. Sanderiana, 
and which may indeed be a natural hybrid as the 
latter is generally regarded to be. The upper sepal 
is slightly suffused with rose, especially along the 
middle, while the lateral sepals are spotted with 
purple on their contiguous sides recalling P. Schil- 
leriana. The petals have a deeper purple blotch at 
the base. The lip has the middle lobe very much 
spotted with purple on a white ground, and there 
are some bold crimson stripes towards the base of 
the lateral lobes. An Award of Merit was accorded 
it when exhibited by Mr. G. Young, Keyfield 
Nursery, St. Albans. 
Cypripedium Capt. Lendy, Nov. hyh. 
This hybrid was derived from C. villosum Boxallii 
crossed with C. Chas. Canham. The upper sepal is 
oval-oblong, rich blackish-purple, and more decidedly 
marbled towards the sides with purple on a nearly 
white ground. The effect of the seed parent is seen 
in this organ. On the contrary the spathulate and 
shining petals are deep purple on the upper half, and 
netted with pale purple on a yellow ground over the 
lower half showing the effects of the other parent. 
The lip is creamy yellow, lightly suffused with purple, 
and the oblong leaves are dark green without 
markings. An Award of Merit was accorded it 
when exhibited by C. L. N. Ingram, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. T. Bond), Elstead House, Godaiming, 
Dendrobuim purpureum candidum. 
The stems of D. purpureum attain a height of 2 ft. 
or 3 ft. and produce dense clusters of small purple 
flowers from their sides. The variety under notice 
has white flowers. The stems are leafless at the 
time of flowering. A Botanical Certificate was 
accorded it when shown by Sir Trevor Lawrence, 
Bart. 
The Orchid Growers' Calendar. 
Cool House.— In this house a home is found for 
some of the very best and most useful members of 
the Orchid family. Take for instance Odontoglos- 
sum crispum. It is doubtful if this can be equalled, 
and it certainly cannot be surpassed by any other 
species. Its graceful arching spikes require only to 
be backed with Maidenhair Fern to make the most 
charming of dress sprays. Again, it thrives in a 
temperature that requires no hard firing to main¬ 
tain, as even in winter a minimum of 45° at night, 
with a rise to 50° by day, will grow them well. The 
structure best suited to their requirements is a low 
span-roofed house running north and south or east 
and west, it matters very little which. Ours runs 
from east to west, and is about g ft. in width, which 
admits of 3 ft. stages down the sides. The whole 
of the staging is covered with ordinary roofing tiles 
on which are stood the plants on inverted pots, no 
shingle or shell gravel being used. The tiles being 
porous take up a lot of water, 'which is given off 
gradually, and this just suits them, for, although 
they are lovers of moisture in the air and at the 
roots, it can be over-done. I like to see the sphag¬ 
num Moss growing well, but not outstripping the 
plants, which is often the case when a too humid 
atmosphere is kept up. Air is admitted through 
ventilators along the sides on a level with the hot- 
water pipes, also along the whole length of the roof, 
the ridge of which is so constructed that air can be 
given without any fear of the plants being injured 
even if the outside temperature is cold and the wind 
due east. The damping or spotting of the most 
delicate of flowers is unknown in our houses, so 
that it can be easily understood the atmosphere is at 
no time over-loaded with moisture. 
Shading.— This of course is of the utmost impor- 
ance. The blinds in use here are those recommended 
by Messrs. B. S. Williams & Son, thick enough 
to prevent the sun from damaging the foliage 
without obscuring the light. These are elevated 
above the glass about three inches, so as to admit 
of a circulation of air between the blinds and the 
glass, which helps to keep down the inside temper¬ 
ature during summer. 
A North House.— There are still some people 
who cling to the idea that a house facing north is 
best for Odontoglossums. Having had some 
experience of both systems, I have come to the 
conclusion that whilst each has something to 
recommend it, the balance is certainly in favour 
of the house almost fully exposed. 
Potting.— Most of our plants were potted as 
advised in September ; there were, however, a few 
that were not quite ready then, and these we shall 
re-pot now, using good peat and live sphagnum 
Moss in about equal parts. 
Easing the Plants.— There are more plants 
which find their way -to the rubbish heap through 
over blooming than from any other cause. I know 
most people like to see the flowers on the plants 
as long as possible, but if they are to be had in 
flower year after year, they should not be allowed 
to carry the spikes longer than a week after all the 
flowers are full expanded. 
Thrips. —These pests if not kept under will soon 
weaken Odontoglossums.—C. 
SARQEN. 
. Onions. 
This is one of the most important of the vegetable 
crops, for it is in request the whole year; being 
required for such a number of purposes a large 
quantity is needed to supply all wants. Now that 
the time is at hand for sowing it will be necessary to 
make preparations for this end. Doubtless most 
gardeners have by this got their ground dug, so that 
where the soil is light and free-working there will be 
no further need for moving it again before sowing. 
Not so, however,' where it is of a close retentive 
nature, for that which has been dug up for some 
time will have got settled down by the heavy rains, 
and unless moved again would be a long time before 
it was fit for the reception of the seed. Moreover, 
if sown without being moved, so that some of the 
moisture can be extracted, it would crack in the 
summer during dry weather, and therefore cause con¬ 
siderable loss to the crop. Choose the first 
opportunity when the wind is northwards with a 
rising barometer for breaking up the soil, as in all 
probability there will be two or three days without 
rain; the drying wind will then render it fit for 
dressing down. We do not advocate sowing on beds, 
especially where a large quantity of bulbs have to 
be grown, as this entails much extra labour for little 
or no purpose. 
When sufficiently dry on the surface so that the 
soil will not stick to the boots, go over the ground 
and tread it firm, after which rake it smooth and 
draw out the drills. The distance these are to be 
from each other greatly depends on the quality of 
the soil, and the size it is desired to grow them to ; 
for all ordinary purposes, however, a foot is the 
most convenient distance, for at this width both 
hoeing and weeding can be more easily accomplished. 
For several years past we have sown about the first 
week in March, last season it was on the third. By 
so doing, the young plants have time to take a good 
hold before the dry weather sets in, so that there is 
less fear of the crop being troubled with the Onion 
maggot, as it is seldom that this pest is seen before 
the latter part of June, by which time the Onions 
are sufficiently large to take care of themselves. A 
far worse enemy to deal with in our district is the 
Onion mildew ; this attacks the points of the young 
leaves during showery weather in July, and in the 
course of a few days if not prevented will destroy the 
whole crop. Dusting with newly slacked lime while 
they are wet is very beneficial to check its ravages. 
Where large bulbs are desired it is necessary to 
thin early and feed them with liquid manure, but 
for all ordinary uses if the ground is in good heart 
they will grow large enough, for the more solid the 
bulbs the better will they keep, so that it should 
be the aim of the cultivator to attain this end. 
The largest that we have grown is Sutton’s Ai. 
It is a good shaped bulb, and one that may be relied 
upon for general use. One of the chief points in a 
good Onion is its keeping qualities—it is useless to 
have large bulbs if after being stored but a few 
weeks they go to decay, and just at the time when 
they are most in request there is none to be had. 
To avoid this, sow early and get them thoroughly 
harvested before being stored .—Kitchen Gardener. 
Notes on Rhubarb. 
After having tested the qualities of many varieties 
of Rhubarb for forcing,as well as for culture in the 
open ground, I have met with none to equal Prince 
Albert for yielding the earliest supplies. Early 
Paragon was highly recommended, but for forcing 
purposes it is poor indeed, neither its colour nor 
flavour recommending it. Stott’s Monarch is not 
tolerated by reason of its colour, nevertheless it is a 
profitable variety for cottagers, and such as do not 
mind appearances. That huge variety always comes 
to the front at cottagers’ exhibitions, where prizes 
are awarded for weight. The prizetaker of Rhubarb 
for quality is mostly represented by "Victoria. When 
that useful variety is planted on deeply trenched 
and highly manured ground, it attains a great size 
and is greatly improved in quality. I have often 
raised varieties of 'Victoria from seed, but nev'er 
have seen any which could be compared with the 
parent; I force Prince Albert to supply produce 
during November, and onward to February, when 
“Victoria comes in with very gentle forcing. After 
the roots have supplied their quota the best crowns 
are divided off and planted, and the remainder goes 
to the rubbish heap.— Stifling. 
