December 24, 1898. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
2U8 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
The undermentioned awards were made by the 
Royal Horticultural Society on the 13th inst. 
Orchid Committee. 
Cypripedium insigne var. Harefield Hall, 
Nov. var .—The flowers of this variety are of 
enormous size and great beauty. The dorsal sepal 
is the most conspicuous feature of the flower, on 
account of its size and handsome markings. It is 
orbicular, slightly recurved at the sides, incurved at 
the apex, and greenish-yellow, with a broad white 
margin all round it. Large brown blotches are 
thickly placed all over the greenish-yellow ground, 
with a few violet blotches on the white ground below 
the apex. The petals are pale brown, and the shin¬ 
ing lip several shades darker, but they merely serve 
to show off the beauty of the dorsal sepal. A First- 
class Certificate and a Cultural Commendation were 
awarded to E. Ashworth, Esq. (gardener, Mr. H. 
Holbrook), Harefield Hall, Wilmslow, Cheshire, for 
a large and well-grown plant, carrying six magnifi¬ 
cent flowers. 
Laelia digbyano-purpurata, Nov. hyb. —The 
sepals of this hybrid are pale blush, and the large 
oblong-elliptic petals white, tinted with blush, and 
distinctly margined with lilac-purple. The lip is 
the feature of the flower, the lamina being large, 
orbicular, crisped, and deep purple, with a paler 
blotch at the apex. The edges are very shallowly 
fringed, being merely tootbleted, and not like the 
hybrids previously sent out, and having Laelia digby- 
ana for one of their parents. The throat and tube of 
the lip are clear yellow, with a few dark lines to¬ 
wards the base. Award of Merit. Messrs. J. Veitch 
& Sons, Ltd., Chelsea. 
Calanthe revertens, Nov. hyb. —The sepals and 
petals of this fine Calanthe are lanceolate and rich 
carmine-crimson, the lateral sepals being a little 
paler along the centre. The lip is shallowly four- 
lobed, carmine-crimson, with a rosy margin and pale 
throat, but the colours are variable. The flowers, 
as a whole, are large and handsome, while the plant 
appears vigorous. The variety is an acquisition to 
the grand collection of Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, 
(grower, Mr. W. H. White), Burford Lodge, Dork¬ 
ing, who exhibited it. Award of Merit. 
Floral Committee. 
Asparagus Sprengeri compacta. —The typical 
form of this plant is now extensively cultivated on 
both sides of the Atlantic, and bids fair to give us 
some very useful varieties. That under notice is 
dwarfer than the type (12 in. to 18 in. at present), 
and the drooping branches and dark green leaf like 
twiglets are produced in dense masses, that are 
altogether distinct from the original, and finer. We 
believe it will make a grand decorative plant. First- 
class Certificate. Mr. H. B. May, Dyson’s Lane 
Nurseries, Upper Edmonton. 
Kitcfien Garden Calendar. 
It is not often that we are favoured with such 
excellent weather for pushing forward the outside 
work as that experienced of late, for not only has it 
been mild but the ground has been in splendid condi¬ 
tion for working, which has enabled those who from 
some cause or other had got behindhand, to pull up 
arrears. 
Peas that were sown at the end of November on 
warm borders are looking well; but we may soon 
expect bad weather, therefore material should be at 
hand for protection. Where leaf soil is plentiful some 
of this should be sifted and spread over the rows, 
which will assist in warding off the cold. Spruce or 
Laurel boughs should be stuck alongside the rows, 
or anything of that description that will afford shelter. 
The plants are fairly hardy when once well through 
the ground, but they are subject to many enemies. 
Slugs and snails are very troublesome in mild weather. 
Traps should therefore be set for them to harbour 
under, such as Cabbage leaves and other material of 
a like nature. Broad Beans are also pushing through 
the soil, but as these do not suffer to the same extent 
from the ravages of mice and slugs as Peas do, there 
is no necessity to be so particular in looking after 
them. Rats sometimes attack them, and, when this 
is the case, clear off whole rows in a short time. 
Owing to the favourable autumn, green crops have 
done remarkably well. Broccoli in many instances 
has made up for lost time, but the growth is soft and 
tender, therefore should bad weather set in the plants 
will suffer. Those who have up to now delayed 
turning the plants on one side would do well to attend 
to this as soon as possible, while there is yet time. 
Any that are turning in should be closely watched, 
and-when there are any signs of frost protection 
ought to be provided or they will suffer. Do not 
allow any that are ready for cutting to remain out; 
if they are pulled up and taken to an open shed they 
will keep fresh for several days. Cabbages have 
made marvellous progress this autumn. Those 
planted out in September will soon be ready for 
cutting should there be no serious check, but should 
the frost be severe they will doubtless suffer con¬ 
siderably. 
Lettuce, Endive, Chicory, and other things of 
that nature should be taken up, or afforded protection, 
as the least frost after wet injures the former, while 
the latter should be had in readiness for blanching. 
Vegetables under glass will now need special 
care, as the weather is so changeable. Cauliflower 
in frames must have all the air possible to keep them 
dwarf and sturdy. Lettuce intended for planting 
out in spring ought not to have the lights on them 
unless there are signs of frost, or in wet weather; 
for the more sturdy they are kept the less risk there 
is in losing them. Where Peas are grown in pots 
the first batch may now be sown and stood in a cold 
house where they can come along gradually. Those 
sown now should be ready to gather towards the end 
of April or early in May. William Hurst, Chelsea 
Gem, Carter's Forcing, Daisy, English Wonder, and 
such-like dwarf kinds are all good for pot culture, 
and may be relied on to give a crop. Carrots on 
hot beds must be well-looked after, or snails will 
soon play sad havoc with them. A dusting of lime 
or soot will prevent them in a measure, but by far 
the best plan is to look after them with a light late in 
the evening when out feeding. French Beans 
should now be sown for giving a supply in March. 
Take up Asparagus and introduce into heat, as the 
other becomes exhausted. Seakale, Rhubarb, 
Chicory, and the like must be had in succession, and 
where small salads are in demand,Mustard and Cress, 
Chervil, Onions, and Radishes must be brought on 
in heat. Celery should also be sown in boxes for 
flavouring, as the small green leaves are much more 
delicate than those that are fully grown. Intro¬ 
duced into a gentle heat, boxes of Mint and Tarra¬ 
gon that were rooted as advised last August. When 
brought on gradually the foliage is more serviceable 
than when too much heat is applied. Make up 
Mushroom beds as the others become exhausted t 
and prepare material for others to be made later on. 
—.Kitchen Gardener. 
«• 
Although we have had nothing to complain of in 
the weather as far as mildness is concerned, the 
deluges oi rain that fell during the latter part of 
November and the beginning of December left the 
ground like a quagmire, and in anything but a fit con¬ 
dition for carrying on planting operations. Perhaps 
the mild weather is going to prove a big disadvantage 
presently, for many of the bulbs planted at the 
beginning of November are showing through the 
ground now, and if they make much more growth 
frost will be a serious consideration for them. 
Christmas decorations always bring to the gar¬ 
dener a great deal of extra work. First of all the 
supply of evergreens has to be kept up, and this 
usually occasions a considerable amount of cutting. 
Where shrubberies can be improved by a little thin¬ 
ning and subsequent rearrangement it is often the 
best plan to sacrifice some of the trees now for 
decorative purposes rather than to mutilate others 
that have to remain. Any spare boughs that may be 
over after all demand for decorations is supplied will 
come in handily for protective purposes, for we must 
not expect to get through the winter without a taste 
of frost. 
Christmas Roses. —As soon as the first blooms of 
Helleborus niger show through the ground some of 
them should be covered with hand-glasses or Cauli¬ 
flower lights, for if this is not done, clumps that are 
growing in borders will be almost sure to be spoiled 
by the first shower of rain that comes washing up 
the dirt upon them. Plants growing in the grass, on 
the other hand, will not be in danger, and may be 
trusted to look after themselves. 
Forking in the Shrubberies. —As soon as time 
can be spared the fallen leaves in the shrubberies 
that have hitherto not been touched should be forked 
lightly in. Care should be taken in doing this not to 
disturb any bulbs that may have been planted. All 
that is wanted is to break up the surface of the soil 
and to get the leaves buried, and this can be done 
without disturbing Narcissi, Scillas, &c., that may 
be sprouting a few inches down. Once this is done 
the shrubberies will be tidy for the rest of the 
winter. 
Planting. —Carry on the planting of Roses, and 
all deciduous and evergreen shrubs, as circumstances 
will permit. Attend also to the staking and securing 
of such subjects as are planted, for a newly-planted 
tree or shrub has none too firm a grip of the soil. 
Light, neatly-twisted hay bands should be employed 
to place between the tree and its supports so as to 
prevent chafing and abrasion of the bark. If properly 
put on, these bands do not look at all uDtidy, and 
that they prevent a good deal of damage everybody 
who has had anything to do with trees knows. 
Border Carnations. —Rabbits have not been 
very troublesome as yet, for they have had plenty of 
food up to the present, but where the pests are 
numerous it will not do to trust to their tender 
mercies, as far as Carnations are concerned. Any 
beds filled with plants in open portions of the ground 
should be enclosed with a ring of inch-mesh wire. 
A good top-dressing of old mushroom bed manure 
will be of advantage to all the Carnations. A bright 
lookout must be kept upon the sparrows, which in 
some cases are equally as troublesome as rabbits. 
Herbaceous Borders. —There is no better time 
than the present for carrying out alterations or en¬ 
largements of herbaceous borders, and re-arranging 
the plants. The latter is very necessary, now and 
again, for many plants grow at the expense of others, 
and the weaker ones have to be looked after to pre¬ 
vent extinction. Clear away all rubbish, give a 
dressing of well rotted stable manure, and fork it 
nicely in. As most mixed herbaceous borders con¬ 
tain quantities of bulbs only a careful workman 
should be set at this work, otherwise more harm 
than good will result. Where the positions of bulbs 
are known they should be marked, but sticks and 
labels will get misplaced, and the man wielding the 
the fork has to be constantly on the watch for mis¬ 
cellaneous bulbs and roots. 
Hardy Fernery. —Here the plants are looking 
rather untidy with the numerous withered fronds 
lying about. These, however, should be left, as they 
form the natural and best protection for the crowns 
of the plants. A top-dressiDg of leaf soil, put on to 
the depth of 2 in. or 3 in., is a great help. In apply¬ 
ing it the old fronds should be lifted up, so as to admit 
of the leaf mould being carried close up to the 
crowns. 
Gravel Paths. —-Nothing so much conduces to 
the enjoyment of a garden as clean and well-kept 
paths. When they are muddy, soft, and afford no 
clean foothold, locomotion is not only impeded, but 
the pleasure of the garden taken away. Like every¬ 
thing else, gravel paths have a limit to their life, 
and occasionally want renovating. If the surface 
is very bad the top 2 in. might as well be taken clean 
away. The next layer should be broken up with the 
pick, and a layer of new material laid on. A few 
rollings with a heavy roller will send the whole 
down as solid as can be wished, whilst if the rolling 
is kept up at intervals through the winter the path 
will be as good as new by spring. 
Briers for Bedding. —Where standard Roses 
are much in request it is well to bud a batch of 
Briers, if only a small one each year, so as to pro¬ 
vide material for making good defects. These must be 
obtained in the autumn, and planted in rows in a 
piece of sweet, well-drained, but not too rich soil. 
About 1 ft. may be allowed betwen each Brier, and 
from 3 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft. between the rows. In 
country places a sufficient store of Briers can gener¬ 
ally be collected from the woods and hedgerows on 
the estate. The only thing in getting these is to see 
that they are not allowed to lie out of the ground 
too long, for this is a fruitful cause of failure. These 
remarks of course apply with even greater force to 
imported Briers, which should be planted as soon as 
they are received.— A. S. G. 
