May 30th, 1885. 
615 
life under circumstances so different from what they 
would have been in their native land, that it is not 
at all surprising that multitudes of them perish in 
their earliest infancy. The capsules are not only 
less perfect in our houses than they would be in a 
state of nature, but they also require a longer time 
to arrive at maturity, a circumstance that must tell 
against the progeny. The cause of this is also 
climatic, chiefly of course the enormous diminution of 
sunlight and sun heat. To make this clear, I will 
adduce one illustration, and for that purpose I select 
the New Granadian Cattleyas of the labiata group, 
because they are among the best of subjects for the 
operations of the hybridist. These Cattleyas have 
their home chiefly in the ravines and valleys of the 
Cordileras, at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 
ft. above sea level, and between the second and 
tenth parellels of north latitude. The plants, by being 
transferred from proximity to the equator, where on 
clear days the sun darts his rays either perpendicu¬ 
larly upon the place in which they are growing, or 
at a comparatively small angle to them, to a high 
latitude like ours, where the smallest angle at which 
the sun’s rays can fall upon our houses is about 
28 degs., and that only for a few days at midsummer, 
an angle which daily increases, till at midwinter it 
reaches 75 degs., suffer an enormous diminution of 
solar light. Now light, in passing through the 
atmosphere, even under the most favourable circum¬ 
stances, is subject to absorption, or is intercepted by it, 
but the amount varies with the angle; thus, it has 
been shown that, of a given quantity of light falling 
perpendicularly upon a given point, one-fifth of it is 
absorbed or intercepted by the atmosphere ; if it fall 
at an angle of 50 degs., more than one-fourth is 
intercepted, and at an angle of 75 degs., fully one-half. 
Hence, in the winter months, even when the days are 
clear and bright, we can get no more than five-eighths 
(a little more than one-half) of the solar light these 
New Granadian Cattleyas receive in them native 
country, on the assumption that other circumstances 
remain the same. It is quite evident, then, at what a 
disadvantage we are placed, as regards the ripening of 
capsules of Orchids whose native home is near the 
equator, to say nothing of local difficulties, such as 
the smoky atmosphere and fogs of London. 
It is not unreasonable to infer, in the absence of 
more accurate knowledge obtained by direct observation, 
that the capsules of the New Granadian Cattleyas 
require but a short period to attain maturity in their 
native country, and that this period extends only 
over the two or three months of what is there called 
the dry season, but which in that region is subject to 
frequent showers. In our houses, the time required 
for maturing the capsules of Cattleyas of the labiata 
group ranges from eleven to thirteen months, 
for Lfelia purpurata it is about nine months, for 
Phalamopsis Schilleriana, six months; Cypripedium 
Spicerianum, eleven to twelve months; Cyp. insigne, 
ten months; Masdevallia, four months; Calanthe, 
three to four months; Zygopetalum Mackayi, when 
crossed with Maxillare, about six months; Odonto- 
glossum maculatum, Dendrobium aureum, Anguloa 
Clowesi, Chysis braetescens, and Maxillaria Harrison- 
iana, each about twelve months. But, of course, 
these periods are only approximate ; the time required 
for the ripening of the capsules is considerably 
influenced by the state of the weather and external 
circumstances, especially by the amount of direct 
sunlight during the year. I note that our experience 
does not differ essentially from that of M. Bleu, of 
Paris, who has published in The Journal of the Societd 
Rationale cl’Horticulture the periods of ripening of 
the capsules of several Orchids crossed by himself, 
although it might be expected that in the warmer 
and drier climate of Paris the periods would be 
somewhat shorter. 
Adverse as are some of the influences under which 
we work to obtain capsules, there is but little difficulty 
in getting them, and in abundance too ; sometimes, 
even from crosses that, to the systematic botanist, 
would seem almost beyond belief ; but then comes the 
crux. Good seed is the all important factor in 
producing healthy seedlings, and this, unfortunately, 
from causes already partially adverted to, is obtainable 
but in a very minute proportion of the whole. Seed 
we get in profusion, but so little of it germinates that 
the patience of the most persevering is put to a severe 
test. The seeds of hundreds of capsules have been 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
sown without yielding a single result. In very many 
cases, only a solitary plant had been raised from a 
capsule that must have contained thousands of seeds; 
in very few instances indeed has the number of 
seedlings from one cross reached a hundred. It is 
true that we have raised many seedlings in the 
a gg r eg3'te, but many of them have appeared when 
least expected, and when we consider the myriads of 
seeds that have been sown, and the comparatively few 
plants raised, we cannot be said to have achieved very 
great success. It may here be noted that with the 
exception of Cypripedium, which bears the stress of 
fruit-bearing better than any other genus, many 
plants bearing capsules become greatly debilitated. 
During the season the capsule is being matured growth 
frequently ceases altogether, and when the plant 
operated upon is not strong, it not infrequently 
perishes even before the seed is ripe. 
If the ripening of the capsules takes place under 
such adverse influences, the same influences are by no 
means propitious to the early infancy of the progeny. 
The period from germination to the formation of the 
first roots, which for want of a better phrase I will call 
the thalloid state of the young plant, and which 
sometimes occupies several months, is the most 
critical in the life of seedling Orchids raised in glass 
structures; it is especially so with Cypripedium 
Calanthe, and Phalamopsis, and seedlings of these we 
accordingly find to be the most difficult to preserve 
prior to their getting firmly rooted. A succession of 
dull, cloudy days in winter, and even a few hours of 
London fog, will cause a great mortality, not only 
among these, but among all seedlings in a similar 
stage. 
The cares and solicitudes of the raiser of Orchid 
seedlings are by no means diminished when the infant 
plants are fairly rooted ; they must still be constantly 
tended with the most assiduous care. To neglect 
the watering, for instance, for a single day, or even 
for a few hours in the height of summer, may prove 
fatal; and so, on the other hand, an excess of coddling, 
giving them too much heat or too much water, by 
stimulating them into growth before their natural 
season arrives, is equally a source of danger. Nor is 
it the only one. We know of an instance of the 
splendid Dendrobium nobile nobilius being crossed 
with D. aureum; the capsule -was matured in due 
course, and the seed sown, but only one seedling was 
raised. This, as may be readily supposed, was 
tenderly cared for, but all to no avail; the seedling 
had grown to about a \ in., when one night a vulgar 
snail devoured the precious morsel at a single meal. 
We, too, have had our troubles. Among our earliest 
Phalamopsis crosses we succeeded in raising a single 
seedling from a capsule of Phalamopsis amabilis crossed 
with P. rosea, which we were particularly anxious to 
save, as itw'ould have solved the question of the parent¬ 
age of P. intermedia or Lobbi, vdiich is a supposed 
hybrid between the same two species. The plant had 
made three healthy leaves ; it was well established in 
a small pot, which, to be the more secure from danger, 
was placed upon an inverted pot that stood in a 
pan of water. One morning, to the great dismay of 
Seden, it was discovered that a slug had eaten off two 
of the best leaves, and would, if not trapped, certainly 
devour the remainder. Anxious to save the treasure, 
the plant was watched incessantly for hours in the 
expectation that sooner or later the marauder would 
make his appearance; to induce him to do so the 
moss was constantly plunged into water ; the repeated 
duckings had at length the desired effect, the culprit 
issued from his lurking place, and the plant was 
saved. 
(To be continued.) 
THE VICAR’S GARDEN. 
The arrangement of a collection of hardy-flowering 
plants, however moderate in extent, to prove effective 
and satisfactory requires a considerable amount of 
forethought, and some knowledge of the subjects to 
be planted. The height, colour, time of flowering, 
habit of growth, and diversity of foliage, should 
all be ascertained beforehand. The smaller dwarf 
growing kinds will, with few exceptions, come in 
the front lines, but bulbous plants require to be 
skilfully interspersed throughout the borders; the 
taller-growing Liliums, Fritillarias, Galtonia candi- 
cans may, with advantage, be so placed that they 
may tower somewhat above their neighbours. The 
grouping together of plants of a similar habit should 
be avoided, for the more evenly the various subject are 
distributed the better; the object in view being to 
have at all possible times the ■whole of the borders 
occupied with something that will please and interest. 
A collection, somewhat limited in variety, can be so 
planted that for nine months of the year something 
in flower will meet the eye at every turn, and yet the 
same materials may be so mismanaged that for 
lengthened periods large spaces will be apparently 
unoccupied. 
Anyone thinking of planting their flower garden 
wholly or in part with hardy-flowering plants 
should carefully consider the space at command, and 
not attempt the culture of any plants for which there 
is not sufficient space at command. There is no 
necessity for so doing, there being plenty of things 
which may be grown in the smallest places. When 
space abounds the large Poppies, Thistles, Gyneriums, 
Bamboos, Arundas, Sunflowers, and the tall Achilleas 
may be introduced with advantage. Those who have 
a choice of positions for an herbaceous border will do 
well to select a spot that is sheltered from strong 
winds, yet which has the advantages of open spaces 
and partial shade while away from the roots of large 
trees and shrubs, for if the roots of these are allowed 
to run riot in the borders, poor results only need be 
expected. 
The t icar’s borders have to a great extent these 
advantages, partial shade being secured by the 
presence of some fair-sized Apple-trees, under which 
shade-loving plants find a home, including flowering 
plants and hardy Ferns. To those of moderate means, 
I would suggest a collection consisting mainly of 
varieties of Phlox deccusata, Delphiniums, Herbaceous 
PcEonies, Narcissus, Tulips, Foxgloves, Campanulas, 
summer-flowering Chrysanthemums, Asters, Anemone 
japonica, Primroses, Crocuses, Pyrethrums, Sweet 
Williams, Pinks, Violas, Irises, and a few of the 
commoner occupants of cottage gardens. A selection 
of these well done will give a display for at least nine 
months of the year. Care must always be taken, 
however, to have the positions of the plants properly 
indicated. The best plan is to label all with the 
names distinctly written, for if this is neglected 
confusion and loss will be the result. 
Among the best things in flower at the present time 
are Banunculus aconitifolius flore-pleno [see p. 613], 
Trollius Americanus and Asiaticus, Primula Sieboldi in 
variety, and Solomon’s Seal (Convallariapolygonatum). 
The value of this plant forced is immense, as 
interspersed with other more formal growing plants 
with bright glaring colours the effect is charming. 
Trillium grancliflorum is one of the most distinct 
and beautiful of hardy-flowering plants, and it will 
succeed best in a damp shady place ; no collection 
of plants is complete without this. Mertensia 
virginica is very showy, but requires a sheltered 
position, and a sandy, warm, and peaty soil. The 
Parrot Tulips of various colours are very gay and 
curious things ; Tulipa Gesneriana is very stately; 
and Cheiranthus Marshalli one of the very best of 
bright yellow-flowering plants. 
Saxifraga granulata flore-pleno, I have, years ago, 
seen used as a spring bedding-plant, and the only 
drawback to its being employed for that purpose is, 
that it hardly lasts long enough in flow r er. Scilla 
campanulata alba, Corydalis nobilis, Doronicum 
Draytonensis, which grows rather taller than D. 
austriacum, and is altogether a better plant, and 
Anchusia italica are in fine form. 
The hardy Azaleas are fast coming into bloom, and 
the contrast between the varieties of A. Mollis and 
the old American varieties when seen together is very 
striking, the latter looking very poor and weedy beside 
their newer rivals. Among Ferns, what prettier sight 
is there than the unfolding of the young fronds of 
Lastrea dryopteris, a clump of which growing among 
some stones under an Apple-tree is at present a 
lovely sight; none of the Adiantums of our stoves 
excel it in this stage for beauty. A plant of Wistaria 
sinensis trained on the west side of the house is 
flowering in such profuseness that the white wall is 
almost covered and hidden with blossoms. The 
continued wet dull weather is keeping things back 
and telling against them. Having had three fine 
summers in succession, are we going to have three wet 
ones ? It looks rather like it at present.— TV. B. G. 
