489 
April 2; 1898. THE GARDENING WORLD 
better see to it at once. This would induce the 
stools to throw up good, stout canes from the bottom 
and you will get fruit next year. If you do not do 
this you may have to wait several years for fruit, 
which would be a pity, seeing that you have the 
matter in your own hands. 
-- 
CYPRIPEDIUM VILLOSUM. 
The species forming the subject of this note was 
originally introduced from Moulmein in 1853, and 
since then has become one of the most common in 
collections. It has given rise to only a few striking 
varieties, even if we include C. v. Boxalli, but its 
hybrid progeny is very numerous indeed. That fact 
coupled with its easy cultivation has conduced to 
make it common, and one might almost say popular; 
but it has never aroused any great enthusiasm 
amongst cultivators and collectors, because importa¬ 
tions do not furnish many unique and striking 
novelties. 
There is another phase of the subject, and that is 
used was fibrous peat, sphagnum, silver sand, and 
charcoal. The plant was kept in the plant stove, 
with a minimum night temperature of 55 0 ; and a free 
supply of water was given it at all times. The 
example might well be followed with other species 
and in other establishments so that cultural skill 
might be displayed at exhibitions. 
- mf -- 
THE FLORISTS’ SHOW TULIP, 
The unusually mild winter has so encouraged the 
growth of Tulips that they began to peep through 
the ground by the third week in January, which may 
be considered fully a fortnight earlier than is usual 
in ordinary seasons ; and up to the commencement 
of last week my beds looked exceedingly healthy, 
and a few of the earliest kinds showing their buds. 
What the last few days of cutting north-easterly 
winds, with frost combined, will result in, I anxiously 
await with some little alarm, but must hope for the 
best. 
The time having now arrived when the plants 
to the bloom against strong winds. Where beds are 
provided with proper Tulip frames, great protection 
will be afforded to the bloom by putting some fish 
netting all round the top of the wire netting, and also 
over the top of the frames, during the growth and 
development of the buds, so as to prevent as little 
damage as possible arising to the bloom from " hail¬ 
storms,” which generally occur, more less, during that 
period of growth. Whenever a bud is struck by a 
hailstone, a brown spot appears on the petal so 
struck, and immediately the colour and markings 
begin to show, and before the bloom matures itself, 
the said spot goes into decay, the bloom becoming 
spoiled for exhibition purposes. 
To protect the blooms intended for exhibition, or 
to produce them as perfect as possible, a calico awn¬ 
ing should be applied, so as to prolong the life of the 
blooms, and protect them against rain and sun. As 
much air as possible should always be given to the 
plants by keeping the calico well up on one side of 
the bed, where the sun is not upon it; and when the 
latter gets to the side where the calico is rolled up, 
CYPRIPEDIUM VILLOSUM. 
the growing of plants to large size so as to furnish a 
good display of bloom. The large flowers with their 
waxy, shining segments are not devoid of decorative 
value, though the dusky yellow colour, more or less 
heavily overlaid with brown, offers little in the way 
of brilliancy. There have been some instances lately 
of an inclination to develop plants to a large size, a 
feature of Orchid culture to be commended in order 
to counteract the custom of mincing up the plants 
into infinitely small pieces. At the spring show of 
the Preston and Fulwood Horticultural Society on 
the gth and 10th ult., Mr. John Woollam, gardener 
to Mrs. Birchall, Ribbleton Hall, Preston, took the 
first prize for a specimen Orchid, with a healthy and 
vigorous piece of Cypripedium villosum, carrying 
forty-four blooms. Mr. Woollam informs us that he 
has had the care of it for the past five years, but it 
had never produced so many flowers on any previous 
occasion. He repotted the plant last spring, after 
which it grew away vigorously, with the result as 
shown in the accompanying illustration prepared 
. from a photograph of the specimen. The compost 
should have as much protection as possible, and 
likewise a little attention, it may be information to 
young growers to know that it is very beneficial to 
the growth and bloom of the Tulip, to stir up the 
soil between the rows of plants, care, of course, 
being exercised in not disturbing any of the bulbs. 
This can be easily avoided by driving a strong 3 in. or 
4-in. nail through the end of a broom-handle, and 
then by standing on one side of the bed, plunging 
the nail in the middle of each row on the other side 
of the bed, and carefully drawing the handle to you. 
The soil and weeds will be well loosened, and thus 
the weeds can be easily picked out of the rows, 
which will give the beds a better appearance ; and 
will also admit of air to the roots of the bulbs, 
which is most essential. 
The next thing to be done is to put some wire 
netting, 18 in. high, all round the Tulip-bed frames ; 
and where there are no frames, the netting should be 
supported by iron or wood stakes, the netting being 
tied to the stakes. This will prevent the trespass of 
cats and dogs, and will likewise be a great protection 
let that side down, and roll up the other side. When 
it rains the calico should be kept down on both sides, 
and both sides should be securely fastened the last 
thing every night, so as to protect the awning from 
damage by wind, during the night. The awning 
should not be fixed up until the colours of the blooms 
distinctly appear. By too early covering the colours 
or markings have a dull or washy appearance, instead 
of being bright and vivid. The plants should never 
be watered during the period they are covered with 
the awning, or the same washy appearance will 
present itself. 
The best way to produce a bloom for exhibition 
and to ensure its beautiful lustrous colour, is not to 
cover it with calico, but by a 10-in. square board, 
attached to a stake, keeping the board about 4 in. 
from the top of the bloom .—James Thurston, Cannock, 
March 28 th, 1898. 
-.5—- 
12,000 Cases of Apples have been shipped to 
British shores from Tasmania during the last 
month. 
