THE GARDENING WORLD; 
586 
April 20, 1895. 
received a First-class Certificate from the Royal 
Horticultural Society as long ago as 1866, but fresh 
importations continue to be made. Oncidium 
serratum is a showy and interesting species with 
twining stems 6 ft. to 9 ft. long, furnished with 
branches here and there bearing four to six large 
flowers. Those sent us by Mr. Lindsay were of 
large size and of a rich cinnamon-brown, the petals 
being variegated with yellow. The structure of the 
flowers is very remarkable, and the beautiful crisp¬ 
ing of the petals gives interest to the whole. The 
species is not at all too common in cultivation. 
There was also a richly coloured form of Odonto- 
glossum luteo-purpureum, the blotches and markings 
of which were of a dark chocolate and handsome. 
The undermentioned Orchids received awards 
according to merit from the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 9th inst. 
Odontoglossum triumphans Lionel Craw- 
shay. —Last year a small plant of this magnificent 
variety bearing four flowers was honoured with an 
Award of Merit, but now it has grown stronger, 
and bore six flowers when shown on the gth inst. 
The sepals are elliptic, broad, and of a rich glossy 
brown, with the edges, tips, and a few other lines 
yellow. The petals are similar in form, toothed at 
the widest parts, with a large brown blotch on the 
upper half, and several on the lower more amalga¬ 
mated into one than when shown last year, and 
variously interlaced with yellow. The lip is roundly 
cordate, finely toothed at the edges, and rich brown 
with a large yellow blotch at the base, giving the 
brown the form of a horse-shoe. On the whole, it 
is the finest of all the many forms of O triumphans 
that has been seen. First-class Certificate. Exhibited 
by De B. Crawshay, Esq. (gardener, Mr. S. Cooke), 
Rosefield, Sevenoaks. 
Odontoglossum gloriosum Rosefield var, 
Nov. var .—The sepals and petals of this variety are 
lanceolate, drawn out to a long slender point, bright 
yellow, and marked all over with dark chocolate, 
almost black blotches, those on the petals being 
smaller than the rest. The lip is smaller and paler, 
with a single blotch in front of the crest. It is the 
darkest spotted or blotched form we have seen. It 
is flowering for the first time, and came out of 
Horsman’s importation of 1893. Award of Merit. 
Exhibited by De B. Crawshay, Esq. 
Laelia flava aurantiaca. Nov. var .—The 
pseudo-bulbs of this beautiful Laelia are conical, 
narrowed to a neck, 3 in. to 4 in. long, and tinted 
with purple. Each bears an oblong, leathery, 
solitary leaf about 4 in. to 5 in. long. Above this 
the flower scape rises to a height of 2 ft., bearing a 
shortened raceme of six to eight flowers. The sepals 
are oblong, recurved, the petals are similar but 
narrower, and all are of a soft but glowing cinnabar- 
orange. The lip has a curved orange tube, and an 
obovate, crisped, orange terminal lobe with a creamy 
disc extending into the tube. The colour recalls that 
of L. cinnabarina harpophylla, but is paler and 
brighter. Award of Merit. Exhibited by the Right 
Hon. Lord Rothschild (gardener, Mr. E. Hill), Tring 
Park, Tring. 
Bulbophyllum nigropetalum. —The flowers of 
this species are of a dull black, covered with velvety 
down and remind one of a Pleurothallis, but the 
small ovoid pseudo-bulbs bearing one, linear, leathery 
leaf are those of a Bulbophyllum. The pendulous 
flowers are borne on one side of the scape, and have 
subulate sepals, broader petals, and a curious, 
moveable lip that passes into a luring green hue at 
the base. It is certainly a great curiosity. Botanical 
Certificate. Exhibited by the Right Hon. Lord 
Rothschild. 
Masdevallia ludibunda.— This was originally 
introduced from New Grenada in 1882, and is a 
dwarf-habited, neat, and pretty, though not a showy 
species. The upper sepal is boat-shaped or very 
deeply concave and rich purple with a yellow edge, 
and a yellow tail in. long. The lateral sepals 
are obliquely oblong, separated very nearly to the 
base, very pale purple, passing almost to white at 
the apex, and terminating in yellow tails 2 in. long. 
Botanical Certificate. Exhibited by the Curator of 
the Royal Botanic Garden, Glasnevin. 
The National Chrysanthemum Society's Catalogue.— 
Centenary Edition. Containing 1.000 new varieties. Ail the 
novelties. A historv and complete bibliography of the Chrysan¬ 
themum by Mr. C. Harman Payne. Ptice, is.; post free, 
is. iid. Publisher, Gardening World, i, Clement’s Inn. 
Strand, London, W.C, ' 
As the natural result of the generally cold and un¬ 
kindly weather that prevailed during the greater 
part of March as well as the beginning of the present 
month, things are quite three weeks or a month 
late to what they are in ordinary seasons. Many of 
the hardy trees and shrubs that are usually in flower 
long before this are only just now commencing to 
open their flowers; many, alas, are still further 
behind, being killed outright. Some of the early- 
flowering Rhododendrons, such as R. praecox and 
R. Early Gem, are a blaze of bloom. If the beauty 
of these plants is to be preserved a temporary 
shelter should be placed about them wherever it is 
possible to do so, for, although the plants are hardy 
enough, the flowers are not so, and a few degrees of 
frost will effectually mar their beauty. 
Continue to pay attention to the rolling of all 
grass upon which the mowing machine will have to 
work during the ensuing summer and autumn The 
grass has not commenced to grow yet to any 
appreciable extent, but given a few gentle rains and 
some warm spring days and nights it will not be 
long in making a start. Attend to the weeding of 
gravel walks where this is necessary. To pick them 
out by hand is always the best plan, for although 
scuffling with the Dutch hoe is practised in many 
places owing to lack of time, it is not to be recom¬ 
mended if firm smooth walks are desired. If weeds 
are very numerous a watering with weed-killer 
must be given. In the application of this consider¬ 
able care must be exercised, however, for, if it is 
allowed to fall upon the edges of the lawn, scorched 
and unsightly grass verges will result. 
The Planting of Evergreens if not completed 
should be finished as soon as possible now, for the 
season is getting quite far advanced for this class of 
work, although everything being so late will allow a 
little time yet. Trees and shrubs which were planted 
last autumn as well as those which have been put 
out since the breaking up of the frost must be looked 
after for water or they will be sure to take harm, as 
dry weather has generally prevailed, and although 
ve have had some dull days but comparatively little 
rain has fallen. 
Flower Beds.— Where these are empty they 
should now be forked up and put ship-shape in 
readiness for the plants that are to occupy them. If 
the instructions given in these columns during the 
autumn months has been followed, forking over will 
not be a lengthy operation, for the beds will have 
been dug deeply in autumn and any manure that 
was necessary applied then. If, owing to lack of 
time, however, this was not looked after then no 
time must be lost in seeing about it. Avoid making 
the soil too rich for Zonal Pelargoniums or they will 
be inclined to make gross rank growth at the expense 
of the display of flower which after all is the chief 
consideration. 
Hollyhocks.— These time-honoured old favourites 
should find a place in every garden, for their tall 
handsome spikes of flower are quite out of the 
ordinary run of herbaceous stuff. They will have 
been grown on under glass from plants obtained by 
grafting small cuttings upon pieces of their own roots 
in early spring and should now be nice little plants 
in 48-sized pots. The ground which they are to 
occupy should have been well manured and trenched, 
for Hollyhocks are rich feeders. Knock the plants out 
of the pots, and, without disturbing the roots any 
more than is unavoidable, transfer them to their 
positions, making the soil nicely firm about them, 
and giving a good watering in soon after. If treated 
thus they will receive no check at all and will grow 
away freely and come into bloom early enough to 
enjoy a good long flowering season before autumnal 
frosts intervene. 
--- 
Vines.— In the earliest house the Grapes should 
now have passed through their first colouring stages 
and be fast assuming that deep bluish-black hue (of 
course, supposing a black variety is being forced) so 
dear to the heart of every Grape grower as bespeak¬ 
ing good and tasty fruit. The atmosphere of the 
house must of course be kept quite dry and plenty 
of air must be admitted as long the temperature 
does not fall too low. Very little water will be 
needed at the root also, although it is not advisable 
to let the borders become too dry. Only clear water 
must be given, however, and a bright warm day 
should be chosen on which to apply it, as this will 
allow much of the moisture to be dissipated before 
nightfall. In the succession house the pinching out 
of laterals, which should be stopped at the first leaf, 
must be seen to. The temperature here should not 
fall below 70° Fahr. by night and may rise to 85° by 
day, shutting the house up in the afternoon as soon 
as the heat commences to decline. A little air may 
be left on all night on the bottom ventilators, how¬ 
ever, as it assists in keeping the atmosphere sweet 
and buoyant. Tying down the growths in the latest 
houses will now require care. The ligatures, as 
before recommended, should be tied to the wire with 
a running knot, and thus they may be tightened or 
loosened as occasion requires. 
Peaches and Nectarines. —Under the increase 
of temperature, which was advised to be given the 
earliest house in the last calendar, the fruits should 
now be swelling fast assisted by the liberal supplies 
of liquid manure, which must now be given at each 
watering. Keep the syringe well at work, or during 
the period when the fruit is ripening and conse¬ 
quently a dry atmosphere is necessary. Red spider 
will obtain a hold, and this at a time when it is 
extremely difficult to deal with it. In the later 
houses continue the thinning of the fruit, also the 
tying in of the growths as they reach a sufficient 
size. Do not force the trees too hard, however, but 
air well and freely during the day, leaving a little on 
all night to promote healthy and vigorous growth. 
A night temperature of 55° Fahr. for these succession 
houses will be amply high enough for the present. 
Orchard House.— This is the name usually given 
to a house where a mixed collection of fruits are 
grown but where early forcing is not attemp'ed, 
things being allowed to come on of themselves. 
Here it is that pot fruit trees find a place, and the 
culture of Apples, Pears, and Plums in this way has 
received considerable attention of late. As a rule 
also Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Cherries are 
accommodated on the walls or roof. With this 
heterogeneous collection of subjects, some of which 
stand forcing, others positively detesting it, nothing 
but cool treatment is practicable. The trees, how¬ 
ever, are a little earlier than those outside and will 
now have about finished setting for fruit. The 
syringe may therefore be started to work here also, 
although the syringings should be given early enough 
in the afternoon to allow the foliage time to dry 
before night. The house should be freely ventilated 
on all favourable occasions, the employment of 
artificial heat not being necessary except in cases of 
severe frost, as a night temperature of 45 0 Fahr. 
will be quite sufficient. 
-—- 
Owing to the cold winds that have so generally pre¬ 
vailed of late, as well as to the few night frosts we 
have experienced, the flower buds are opening but 
slowly, and, indeed, do not seem to be so vigorous as 
usual, especially upon Apples. It is perhaps all the 
better that growth is slow, however, for we may thus 
stand a chance of escaping to a large extent the mis¬ 
chief done by the spring frosts, which proved so 
great a calamity to the fruit crop last year. 
Peaches and Nectarines on Walls. — As 
growth advance, disbudding must be commenced, 
supposing anything like fine weather to prevail. If 
cold winds visit us it is not advisable to disbud 
much as long as they remain, for these of them¬ 
selves will sufficients check vegetation. As in the 
cultivation of the Peach under glass, so when deal¬ 
ing with it on outside walls it is an exceedingly bad 
plan to leave the work of disbudding until the 
growths have attained a large size, and then to re¬ 
move a large quantity at once. The check thus 
given to the tree cannot fail to be very great; where¬ 
as if disbudding were gradually performed, com¬ 
mencing before the growths had taken a great quan¬ 
tity of nutriment from the tiee, and the weakest 
shoots first taken away, no damage would be done. 
Remove the coverings as far as possible on warm 
sunny days, so as to allow all the light possible to 
get to the tree as before advised. Watering, too, 
should be looked after, for vigorously growing trees 
will soon absorb the moisture in the strata of soil 
nearest to their roots, and if more is not given they 
will strike their roots into farther, and perhaps more 
uncongenial soil, in order to obtain the necessary 
moisture. — A. S. G. 
