THE GARDENING WORLD* 
583 
May 14 , 1899 . 
crossing C. Curtisii with C. barbatum. It was 
named in compliment to M. le Comte de Kerchove de 
Denterghem, the president of the Royal Agricultural 
and Botanical Society of Ghent. The variety under 
notice was raised by Mr. W. H. Young, Orchid 
grower to Sir Frederick Wigan, Clare Lawn, East 
Sheen. It resulted from the reverse cross of the 
original, namely C. barbatum var., with C. Curtisii 
as the pollen parent. The seeds were sown on the 
26th December, 1893, and is now flowering for the 
first time. The dorsal sepal is white, lined with 
green veins and shaded with purple towards the 
sides. The dusky petals are tipped with purple, and 
marked all over with black spots, thus showing the 
influence of C. Curtisii. The huge purple lip also 
has the long claw of the lip peculiar to the last- 
named. The obloDg leaves are broad and very 
vigorous. Mr. Young has already flowered several 
hybrids of his own raising. 
-— 
THE YELLOW SPORTS OF CHRYSAN¬ 
THEMUM MME. CARNOT. 
I don't know who wrote the paragraph concerning 
Chrysanthemum G. J. Warren, but the paper was 
laying on the potting bench, and you see what one 
of my men’s opinion is:—Poor G. J. Warren! he 
does get it hot, and for what reason I cannot think ; 
for I will defy anyone to see any difference in the 
growth of that and Mme. Carnot and Mrs. Mease. 
The make, shape and size of the flower are the same, 
only different in colour, and the only thing I can see 
against it is, it isn’t pure white ; for this is the only 
thing in which anyone can see any difference in the 
two (or three). 
Concerning Chrysanthemum Mrs. Mease, it was 
not till I went to the Belfast show that I saw it was 
distinct from G. J. Warren. I wired from there to 
Edinburgh to tell Mr. Mease to reserve me the 
stock, and I have no doubt but that it was my tele¬ 
gram which lost me the stock and caused the 
bother; for as you know I was not in Edinburgh, 
though someone else was. Even Mr, Mease himself 
did not know any difference, but considered that he 
was exhibiting G. J. Warren, or as he called it,Yellow 
Mme. Carnot. He also said “ I did not know the 
conditions of the Ulster Horticultural Society’s 
schedule, otherwise, you may rest assured, I should 
not have done as I did. It turned out to be distinct, 
and I did what I did quite innocently.”— W. Wells. 
Kltcfren G arden Calendar. 
The Week’s Work, 
The dry weather of the last month somewhat 
retarded the growth of plants, so that vegetable 
crops in general are by no means so forward as one 
would have expected to find them after such a mild 
winter. The welcome rains, however, of the last 
week have been favourable to the growth of most 
things, the gardener who does not wish to be behind 
must, therefore, be busy if he would keep pace with 
the work. Cauliflower for autumn should now be 
transplanted. Such varieties as Michaelmas White, 
Autumn Giant, and Autumn Mammoth are all good 
kinds, as they are not liable to run to seed. If 
planted while the ground is moist, they will soon 
take fresh hold of the soil. Brussels Sprouts ought 
also, to be put out as soon as the ground can be got 
ready for them. This is a crop that takes some 
time to grow, and unless the plants are put out 
early the season becomes advanced before any 
sprouts are formed. The last sowing of Broccoli 
seed ought now to be put in, choosing an open place 
that the plants may grow sturdy. This crop has 
been exceptionally fine with us during the present 
spring, particularly Standwell, Model and Late 
Queen. There is an advantage, where a continuous 
supply has to be kept up, of growing several 
varieties, as all do not turn in together. Borecole 
should also be got out in good time that the plants 
may grow sturdy. There can be no advantage in 
leaving the plants in the seed beds after they are 
large enough to handle, and if the ground is ready 
better take advantage of showery weather to put 
them out. 
Peas. —Particularly those grown under glass have 
done well this season ; it is doubtful, however, if 
there is yet anything equal to William Hurst for 
either pot culture or growing in pits, Those sown 
on the open borders have done well and are showing 
plenty of pods. Late Peas are ofien troublesome to 
grow in hot seasons, as they are subject to the attack 
of fly in a very young state. Small sowings should, 
therefore, be made at intervals of about a week. Pay 
particular attention to earthing up Potatos. The 
soil between the rows should be loosened up and 
rendered as fine as possible before being drawn up to 
the plants, for where left rough it is seldom that the 
tubers are of good shape. The thinning of many 
vegetable crops at this time of the year is an impor¬ 
tant item. 
Carrots, Parsnips, Beet and Onions will all 
require to be done in a young state if fine, well-shaped 
roots are to be obtained. It is, however, not necessary 
to set the plants out at the full distance at first as 
the young tender roots may be drawn for use as they 
become large enough ; but thinning ought never to 
be deferred until such times as the plants become 
crowded. The sooner this work is done the better, 
for when allowed to remain until the foliage becomes 
crowded, this is produced at the expense of the 
roots. Gardeners are apt to overcrowd as they are 
compelled to produce a large bulk from a small 
space, but it is not wise to attempt too much. 
Continue to make small sowings of Turnips and 
Spinach; both of these crops require an abundance 
of moisture to keep them growing, Early thinning 
should also be resorted to that the plants may gain 
strength in a small state. We have before advised 
that Carrots are much sweeter if drawn young, and 
cannot do better than repeat that advice by stating 
that for general use feed sown now will give better 
results as regards roots for storing than that sown 
early in April. The old orthodox rule was to sow in 
spring for storing in winter, but experience teaches 
us that when ground is well cultivated, it is far 
better to make small sowings at intervals for general 
use, relying on seed sown about this time of the year 
for roots to store for winter, allowing them to remain 
in the ground as long as possible in the autumn. 
Celery that was sown early should now be got 
into the trenches, for like all other plants, there is 
no advantage gained by allowing them to be over¬ 
grown before being put out. When plants flag to 
any serious extent this is a sign that proper cultiva¬ 
tion is not given them. Those from the later 
sowings ought to be pricked out as they become 
large enough to handle, allowing a distance of 25 in. 
between the plants. Cauliflower that was planted 
out early in the last month will be greatly benefited 
by having liberal doses of manure water. It is im¬ 
possible for the ground to be too rich for this crop. 
Weeds will now be growing apace, therefore the hoe 
should be kept at work in fine weather, taking care 
in doing so not to injure the plants, as many which 
might have been fine roots are spoiled by being 
scarred with the hoe when young. It should always 
be the rule to hand weed round all plants for a 
distance of at least 2 in. from them, which precaution 
will prevent any mishap in this respect. A close 
look-out should now be kept for the Onion fly; 
dusting with soot ought not to be neglected.— 
Kitchen Gardener. 
- t »- 
Tlie Oicltffl Brower’s Calendar. 
The Degeneration of Orchids. 
Several opinions have been put forward in the 
gardening papers from time to time as to the proba¬ 
ble cause of so many Orchids dying out, that I feel 
constrained to have my little say about the matter. 
The up and down the country notion is very good, 
and is no doubt answerable for a great number of 
deaths. Locality too has been thought by good men 
to have a more or less deleterious effect on this 
aristocratic family of plants. I am not, though, a 
great believer in the locality craze. Oi course, I am 
putting close proximity to the Metropolis and all 
other large centres out of the reckoning, as it is well 
known that in and near large towns it is impossible 
to get so much light and pure air—two essentials in 
the culture of Orchids—as you do in the country. 
My opinion based on a twenty years’ experience, 
is, that the position, elevation, and kind of structures 
some gardeners find themselves hampered with have 
more to do with failures when attempting the culture 
of this beautiful class of plants than any other yet 
advanced. 
In building glass houses there is too much hanker¬ 
ing after scenic effect rather than putting up 
structures suitable for growing plants. Again, those 
that build houses do not know really what is 
required ; it is not their business. They naturally 
erect houses that catch the eye rather than for 
general utility; and who can blame them ? To those 
intending putting up a range of Orchid houses, I 
would suggest that they should first visit some of 
our large Orchid growing establishments, private or 
otherwise, and see for themselves the kind of house 
that seems best adapted to each particular species. 
A little forethought in this direction would, I am 
sure, bear good fruit. Having made up your mind 
as to the kind of structure to be erected, the 
effective heating of the same must be considered. 
This is of the greatest possible importance. A badly 
heated house is the curse of all gardeners. Sufficient 
piping should be put in so that the required 
temperature can be kept up without having to make 
the pipes so hot that on entering the house the 
atmosphere strikes you as being too dry and un¬ 
wholesome. Plants never thrive on dry hot air, it is 
so unnatural to them. 
A great many failures, I cannot help thinking, 
should be laid at the door of those that are con¬ 
stantly setting forth that such and such an Orchid 
can be grown cool. Cool Orchids there are, but not 
in the sense often implied. You may, in the perusal 
of, say, a catalogue, find it stated that the particular 
Orchids to be sold were found growing at an eleva¬ 
tion of some 8,000 ft. above sea level where it was 
not unusual to find them covered at daybreak by 
frost. Quite so, but for how long ? not long enough 
to do any harm ; besides, under natural conditions 
the plants are better seasoned, and able to stand any 
fluctuation in temperature that may and does occur 
in their native habitats. 
Another cause, to my mind, is that they do not 
get the nourishment in the way of plant food under 
cultivation as they undoubtedly do under natural 
conditions. In their own homes there is always a 
certain amount of decomposition going on amongst 
the vegetation underneath them. The heavy dews 
with which they are enveloped at night must of 
necessity benefit them greatly, likewise the heavy falls 
of soft water in the rainy season; how different is 
this to the hard water we are only too often com¬ 
pelled to use. 
How changed are those conditions under our 
forced hot-water system. Yet, given a fair chance, 
they even do better than they did in their own 
homes. Some there are, and alwajs will be, that 
absolutely refuse to do well for long ; but, generally 
speaking, it may be said that we have mastered 
their requirements, and only when an attempt is 
made to grow them in too low a temperature, or in 
unsuitable houses do they fail to please. 
To beginners I would say, First see that you have 
properly heated structures in which to grow the 
plants; secondly, do not try to grow more than the 
staff you intend to keep can properly manage; 
thirdly, always buy good, sound plants; and 
fourthly, deal with the best firms ; it is cheapest in 
the end.— C. 
-- 
©leanings front ffje IDut;ffi 
of Scient^. 
The undermentioned subjects were brought before 
the Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural 
Society on the 26th ult. 
Vine Leaves with Gummy Exudation.- Some 
leaves were received from Mr. F. M. Gulrin, Iscoed, 
remarkable for a stickiness. This appeared to be 
attributable to green fly, although none was present. 
The exudation is the result of puncture. 
Paeonies, Decayed. -Mr. F. F. Freeman sent 
some leaves which appeared to have decayed at the 
junction with the stem. They were forwarded to 
Mr. W. G. Smith for examination for the presence 
of fungi. 
Ribes sanguineum, Growth of.—Mr. Henslow 
described a rather curious case of a bush growing 
by the south side of some palings. It had sent up 
a number of shoots on the north side. The former 
half was in full leaf bearing very few racemes ; while 
that on the other side was covered with flowers, the 
foliage being scarcely apparent. 
