262 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
December 25, 1897. 
LEAVES FROM MY NOTE BOOK. 
Phloxes. 
Amongst the newer late Phloxes I noted the under¬ 
mentioned varieties as being exceptionally grand, 
both in size and form. Argon is rather dwarf, with 
good spikes of delicate rosy-scarlet flowers, quite a 
dPtinct colour. Bacchante is a fire dark rosy-crim¬ 
son, with purple eye, and large D<-rviche is a dark 
lilac flower, with a purple centre, large and distinct 
Esperance is pale mauve with light centre, and very 
attractive. Girondin, rosy-carmine, rather lighter in 
the centre, is a lovely flower of faultless form. Hux¬ 
ley, white, deepening to lilac at the edge, has very 
large flowers and spikes. Laniboire, rosy-scarlet, 
with violet centre, is a lovely variety. Lord Raleigh 
is the nearest approach to a blue I have yet seen ; 
when shaded it is almost so. The flowers individu¬ 
ally are of the finest form, and the spikes are tall at d 
branching Le Mahdi is another nark shade, being 
violet-blue, slightly tinged bronze. Madame 
M. Carvilho is a first-rate whi e of dwarf habit. In 
Pencheur d' Isl .nde we have a salmon-carmine shade 
with a white eye ; it is a distinct and pleasing variety. 
Tourbillon is a very distinct shade of dark scarlet, 
with white cenire, and has tall handsome spikes. 
Torpilleur has bright magenta, large and faultlessly 
formed flowers. William Ramsay, is a dark violet 
variety, of good form, and is quite distinct. 
The above are all varieties of recent introduction, 
and are worthy of being added to the lists of good 
sorts, which I have noted from time to time in these 
columns. No better flower than the Phlox can be 
grown for an autumn display in our gardens. This 
is being more and more recognised every year, evi¬ 
dence of which we have around us in all directions. 
The range of colouring now to be had, and the dwarf 
habit of many of the varieties for bedding purposes, 
tend to still further increase the popularity of this 
handsome autumn flower.— Cotta. 
THE NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM 
SOCIETY. 
All the controversy respecting the N.C.S. and the 
Royal Aquarium is tending to show what an ill- 
adapted and unpleasant place it is in which to hold 
horticultural exhibitions and the disappointing 
amount of money the directors offer the society com¬ 
pared with what is actually received at the turn¬ 
stiles. This has been forcibly debated in the Journal 
0/ Horticulture recently, and is in my opinion most 
desirable, for the reason that there is at present no 
other suitable central place ; and it seems to me the 
only remedy for future success is to set about finding 
a site, and erecting a building, temporary or other¬ 
wise, so that the most ardent in horticulture may 
have full control according to their likes and means. 
The scheme for a horticultural hall, which I 
suggested several years ago, and similar to what is in 
existence in many cities in America and on the Con¬ 
tinent, was most frvourably received by the presi¬ 
dent, councd, and also the committee of the Royal 
Horticultural Society. Thousands of pounds were 
promised, and this I sincerely hope still stands gcod 
If I am not mistaken one gentleman offered to give 
£5,000 if a simi'ar sum was subscribed by a certain 
time; but unfortunately just at that time financial 
matters in the world were unfavourable, and great 
depression in business existed. It seems to me that 
the present should prove to be a most opportune 
moment for the revival and carrying out of that or a 
similar scheme. 
If a powerful and influential committee were 
selected from the National Chrysanthemum Society, 
and if our highly esteemed president. Sir E. 
Saunders, could be induced to act as spokesman, 
offering our cordial support to the president and 
council of the Royal Horticultural Society, the whole 
matter could be discussed, and the fieling of 
kindred societies and the public generally be ascer¬ 
tained. 
The Rose, Carnation and Picolee, Auricula, Nar¬ 
cissus, and Cac i societies continue to hold their 
shows at the Drill Hall, and I feel sure the National 
Chrysanthemum Society would be received with 
open arms, and without that chartered body wishing 
in any way to exercise any control over its internal 
arrangements wha’ever. I am both willing and 
anxious to co-operate in assisting to bring something 
of the kind prominenrL bef< r<- the public. Unity is 
strength, and it seems to me that the united strength 
of all the kindred societies now existing in London 
could be secured, and would pay their proportion 
towards the interest on borro - ed capital, if such a 
c. iurse was deemed necessary. There is no reason 
why we should not have a home of our own, and not 
lodgings for ever. 
I think we might reasonably count on something 
like the following income, each society, of course, 
taking its own gate money :— 
Royal Horticultural Society 
£400 per annum 
National Chrysanthemum Society 
£ico „ ,, 
,, Rose 
£100 ,, ,, 
,, Dahlia ,, 
£100 „ 
Carnation and Picotee ,, 
£50 „ ,. 
Auricula ,, 
£ 2 5 .. .. 
Cacti ,, 
£10 .. .. 
Letting the hall for horticultural 
business committee meetings .. 
£100 „ „ 
Letting f r otter approved pur- 
poses .. .. .. ..£r,ooo ,, ,, 
Total .. ., .. £1,985 
This at 4 per cent gives a borrowing power of 
nearly £50.000. 
If the council would favourably reconsider the 
suggestion, and all kindred societies would cordially 
support such or a similar scheme it seems to me we 
can well picture Phoenix rising boldly out of its own 
ashes, and British horticulture going on in rapid har¬ 
monious strides. It certainly is an undisputed re¬ 
proach that horticulturists d ) not possess in the city 
of London, a building large enough to hold even an 
ordinary flower show ; and in my opinion it is now 
quite time we did. I ask one and all if the time has 
not arrived when this hall should be begun.— H. 
Cannell. 
ORCSID NOTES & GLEANINGS. 
By The Editor. 
A yellow Odontoglossum crispum. Nov. var .— 
A yellow ground variety of the most popular Odon- 
toglot in cultivation has long been a desideratum, 
and the wish has at last been gratified by a cheerful 
and bright variety, the body colour of which forcibly 
recalls the hybrid O. excellens. The segments, as 
far as form is concerned, and particularly the lip, 
are those of O. crispum. The lanceolate sepals and 
elliptic petals are of a clear and pleasing yellow, the 
sepals bt-ing ornamented with a group of four to five 
bright chestnut-red spots. The petals are spotless. 
The lip is of the same colour precisely as the rest of 
the flower, sharply waved or crisped, and marked 
with three to five large chestnut-red spots, as well as 
some smaller specks. The colour is more or less 
blotched with brown on the back, and tinted with 
the same hue on the face. The plant is yet only a 
small piece, but it will be greatly increased in size 
by the time Mr. J. McBean, of Cooksbridge, Lewes, 
Sussex, has given it another year’s growth. The 
variety is exceedingly pretty, and now flowering in 
his collection. Mr. McBean is a noted grower of 
Odontoglossums, fully understanding their cultural 
treatment. 
VEGETABLE CALENDAR. 
Seakale.— A regular supply of this vegetable will 
be expected in most establishments after this date, 
and to meet the demand a good proportion of the 
roots may be lifted and stored at tt.e base of a wall, 
covering lightly with leaves or other light material 
to protect them from drying. All the strongest 
thong-like roots should be saved for cuttings, and 
these can be made any time during inclement 
weather. Any position having the three requisites, 
warmth, darkness, and moisture, will suit Seakale. 
A cheap and good method is to dig out a bed 6 ft. 
wide and a foot in depth, and in this place 2 ft. of 
fermenting material, covering this with 8 in. of light 
soil. In this the roots can be planted, and the whole 
bed covered with a light framework over which a 
few thicknesses of mats or straw must be placed to 
exclude the light and retain the warmth. Seakale 
grown in this way is generally succulent and more 
satisfactory than when grown in sheds or under 
stages. 
Peas —-For growing in pots or frames or orchard 
houses a sowing of some approved dwarf Pea such 
as Chelsea Gem may now be made in pots or on 
turves. Small 60 size pots are handy for moving 
about, and also for transplanting from. Sufficient of 
these should be filled with a lcamy soil, and half a 
dozen Peas placed in each. A gentle heat may be 
applied to forward germination, but when once that 
has taken place a cool position close to the glass 
must be given to keep them dwarf and stocky, and 
when well-rooted these may be transferred to larger 
pots or borders as desired. 
French Beans— To have the fullest success with 
these at this season of the year top and bottom heat 
is necessary. At the present time we are preparing 
a bed 100 ft. long by 6 ft. wide down the centre of a 
low span-roofed house for this crop. A bed of fer¬ 
menting material, 5 ft. deep, will be formed, and on 
this 1 foot of light rich soil will be placed for plant¬ 
ing in. The Beans, Canadian Wonder aDd Magnum 
Bonum, have been sown sirgly in small 6o-pots in a 
warm house, and out of these pots they will be 
transferred to the new btd without receiving any 
check. After planting a temperature of 6o° to 65® 
will be maintained, with a rise of to° during bright 
weather. Sowings of Ne Plus Ultra may also be 
made for growing on in pots in warm positions, to 
give a few dishes before the beds come into bearing. 
Salading.— This is never more appreciated than 
during the dull winter season, and the aim should be 
to keep up a regular supply from this time onwards. 
To do this, periodical sowings of Mustard and Cress 
must be made in boxes in intermediate houses. 
Roots of Chichory, according to the demand, should 
be placeed in warmth and darkness at short inter¬ 
vals, to have it fresh and crisp. Large plants of 
Endive placed in a little extra warmth during blanch¬ 
ing, are much improved, as a quick tender growth is 
induced. Lettuces growing in frames will require 
close watching and abundance of ventilation on all 
favourable occasions. A few roots of Tarragon 
sh iu d aho be introduced into gentle heat for 
supplying a few sprigs when required. A supply of 
fresh Mint should also receive attention. Boxes 
filled with roots lifted in September and placed in 
heat a fortnight ago are now showing abundance of 
young growth, and will keep up a supply for a long 
period.— J. R. 
-- 
TIib Orclufl Brower’s calendar. 
Laelia autumnalis. —For winter work this is a 
most beautiful and showy Orchid, producing flowers 
4 in. to 5 in. across on scapes 18 in. to 2 ft. in height. 
The flowers are of a pleasing amethyst colour, and 
strongly scented. 
Its culture is very easy and as they take up but 
little room it should commend itself to amateurs 
with limited space. We grow ours in pans and 
baskets which are suspended from the roof of the 
Cattleya house. Very little compost is placed about 
them, as the roots appear to resent being covered 
up too much. Peat and moss in small quantities is 
therefore used. The plants are made secure by 
means of wire, which should be of copper. 
Laelia gouldiana. —Without possessing the 
qualities that nowadays are required in an Orchid to 
make it go, viz. size, this is nevertheless a very 
charming plant. By some it is considered a natural 
hybrid between L. autumnalis and L. albida, and by 
others as a species. I am inclined to the former 
view, as there is a lot in it that reminds us of the 
smaller forms of L. autumnalis. 
Then we have the beautiful L. crawshayana, 
which is the only Laelia that has any likeness to it; 
and I am not surprised at specialists having mis¬ 
taken one for the other, without proper materials at 
hand for comparison. The pseudobulbs and scapes 
are quite distinct, taking, as they do, more after L. 
albida. The labellum, too, is blunt or rounded, 
whilst in L. gouldiana it is acuminate. The colour 
of the two, however, is very similar and it may be 
that they are reverse crosses of the same parents, L. 
autumnalis and L. albida. 
Oncidium splendidcjm —This fine Orchid is just 
pushing up its stiff erect spikes and as they are very 
succulent they should be protected from slugs by 
having a piece of cotton wool put round them. 
Should there be any that are refractory and refuse 
to push the spikes place them in the warmest end 
