February 4, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
863 
of the whole was about thirty-five ; but their great 
feature was the uniformity of the whole. The variety 
C. Veitchii was mostly grown, and proves very use¬ 
ful.— James Dinning. 
Varieties of Cypripedium lathamianum — 
Two very beautiful varieties of the well known hybrid 
C lathamianum made their appearance recently at 
the sale rooms of Messrs. Protherce and Morris, 
Cheapsiae, and found purchasers at good prices. The 
parents were C. spicerianum and C. villosum, the 
latter being the pollen bearer. A great number of 
varieties turned up in the original batch of seedlings, 
and other raisers have also raised and flowered 
seedlings from the same cross. It follows that there 
are many varieties in cultivation, several of which 
are very pretty. One of these is C. lathamianum 
Rex sold on the above occasion. The upper sepal is 
suffused with purple all over the white centre, and 
in this respect surpasses many that have been exhib¬ 
ited in public at one time or another. The other 
is C. lathamianum Madame Jules Hye, which 
is notable for the great size cf its flowers, the lip 
being very conspicuous in this respect. The dorsal 
sepal is also of great size, and suffused with light 
purple over the greater portion of it. That organ as 
well as the staminode show the potency of C. spicer¬ 
ianum ; while the petals and lip have more affinity 
with C. villosum. 
-—j.- 
BALGOWNIE LODGE, ABERDEEN. 
From the Bridge of Dee to the Bridge of Don by 
tramcar is a matter of a few minutes, and in less 
time than it takes to write this the writer found him¬ 
self whirling up Holbora Street en route for Bal- 
gownie Lodge, the residence of J. W. Crombie, 
M.P. for Kincardineshire. Arriving at the terminus, 
enquiry was made for the gardens, and after a wave 
of the hand and a roar " tae baud tae yer left,” 
I thanked my guide and pushed rapidly onwards, 
and soon found myself within the grounds. Here I 
was met by the gardener, Mr. James McDonald, 
who, with bis usual courtesy, conducted me over the 
various departments, where he so ably holds the 
reins. Within the last few years the plants from 
Balgownie gardens have rapidly improved, and are 
such as cause terror to many exhibitors about Aber¬ 
deen. At all events, as far as appearance goes, 
evidently they mean business. His exhibits at the 
last Aberdeen show were of a very high nature, and 
for table plants he has simply defied all comers for 
three years ; likewise for his specimen Ferns. 
The glasshouses here are all in a good state of 
preservation, and the following notes I hastily penned 
as I passed through each house :—The first I entered 
contained Peach trees, which had all been carefully 
tied, and the usual winter cleaning done ready for 
the house to be started The remnants of the Chrys¬ 
anthemums were here, and showed how late 
Niveus could be kept to produce good blooms. The 
next house was a greenhouse, and contained a 
brilliant display of flowers at this time of the year. 
Prominent were Callas, Cinerarias, Cyclamens, with 
plenty of material coming on in the way of Nar¬ 
cissus, Tulips, Lily of the Valley, and other useful 
plants for spring flowering. 
The next house was a vinery, and the adjoining 
one was in coursj of renovation, a set of young 
Vines intended for planting in spring being pointed 
out. Smilax is grown in quantity on the back wall 
of the vineries, and is one of the best of all trailers 
for decoration. 
The stove finishes the range, this being a hand¬ 
some structure, and the contents well arranged, every 
plant standing an equal distance from its neighbour. 
The centre stage contained some good Crotons. 
Weismannii, and Chelsonii, stood out conspicuously, 
the latter being deservedly awarded first prize for 
the best foliage plant at the late Aberdeen show. 
Smaller plants of Crotons were well represented 
with such good and useful kinds as Queen Victoria, 
Etna, Warrenii, Laingii, and many others. 
Dracaenas were also in strong force, and with the 
previous record for table plants, I was not surprised 
to find such elegant kinds as Princess May, Mrs. 
Laird, Nigra Rubra, and Superba as favourites. 
Bolder-leaved kinds are not neglected. Duchess of 
Portland, Lord Wolseley, Lanceolata, Hendersonii, 
and the old goldieana are all grown in presentable 
plants. Other foliage plants were Alocasia metallita 
in healthy condition ; and Anthurium crystallinum, 
with a score of leaves in perfect health, Heliconia 
illustris has also found a place here. The usual 
flowering plants are represented by vigorous 
examples of Pancratiums and Eucharis. Overhead 
was a good plant of Stephanotis floribunda, said to 
be the true Elvaston variety ; it has the happy 
knack of flowering regularly every year. A bunch of 
Bananas was cut from quite a small plant, and 
turned the scales at 30 lbs. 
Much more might be said, but time did not permit, 
as the shades of evening were rapidly closing. So 
bidding my guide good night, I reached the town in 
time to catch a Deeside suburban train.— Deeside, 
January 2.1st, 1899. 
Kitcnen B arden calendar. 
Close attention must now be paid to the early 
Broccoli, as, owing to the mild autumn and winter, 
many of them will be turning in. Where any show 
signs of this they ought to be protected in case of 
frost. It is well to look over the plants frequently 
that none of them get spoiled. Winter greens are 
not over plentiful in some districts, owing to the 
difficulty there was in establishing the plants last 
summer; therefore everything should be done to 
preserve those that are standing, as it is possible we 
may yet have a pinch of sharp frosty weather, and 
this combined with cold east winds checks vegetation 
very much. 
Seakale should now be plentiful, but to keep up 
a supply more roots must be introduced into a gentle 
heat at short intervals. The same remark also 
applies to Asparagus. There is now a great demand for 
forced vegetables, such as French Beans and Potatos. 
To grow a quantity of these requires more space 
than can be afforded in most gardens ; this is 
mere especially so where glass is limited and 
where a quantity of plants have to be grown 
for bedding purposes. The former may in some 
instances be grown in the fruit houses, but 
these structures are not as a rule suitable for the 
production of Potatos ; therefore hot-beds and brick 
pits are brought into requisition. No garden ought 
to be without a number of the latter, as they are 
suitable for so many purposes, particularly that of 
growing early vegetables. It is not advisable to 
plant too many of any one thing at once ; better by 
far have a continual small supply than a glut for a 
week or two, then no more. 
The gardener should study his employers’ wants 
and act accordingly. If any particular vege¬ 
table be his favourite always endeavour to grow 
that as well as possible and have a con¬ 
stant supply. In some places French Beans 
are much in demand from this time onward. 
Where this is so, successional sowings must be made 
at short intervals, that there be no blanks. Light 
airy structures are always best for such things, pro¬ 
vided they are properly heated. There are but few 
gardens, however, where there is an adequate 
supply of glass for the requirements of the place; 
this being so, the gardener has to put up with all 
sorts of contrivances to forward his crops. Where 
there is a quantity of cold frames or pits some of 
these may now be planted with Potatos to come in 
after those in the heated structures are over. By 
planting now the spaces between the rows can be 
sown with Radishes, or planted with early Lettuce 
which will be ready for use by the time the Potatos are 
forward enough for earthing. Where space is limi¬ 
ted, the sets may be started in small pots, to be 
planted out as soon as the growth appears through 
the soil. 
The Mushroom House will now be fully occupied 
with the various plants for blanching, such as Endive, 
Dandelion, Chicory, etc. These, however, should in 
no way interfere with the making up of new beds 
as the others become exhausted and for which 
material has been prepared as previously advised.— 
Kitchen Gardener. 
-—-- 
tub Oicnw Blowe r’s Calendar. 
East India House. —Where a representative col¬ 
lection is formed, a house of this description is 
indispensable, or no accommodation can be given to 
some of the finest Orchids in cultivation. Just now 
the Phalaenopses are making a good show and should 
we steer clear of the fogs which play such sad havoc 
with this particular class of Orchids, will continue 
to give a succession of bloom for some time to come. 
Keep the atmosphere somewhat on the dry side so 
that the flowers do not become spotted. Especially 
so should this be the case in foggy weather; and 
what little air is admitted should be through the 
bottom ventilators, or be tter still, through the door 
of the adjoining compartment, which is generally the 
Cattleya House. In attempting to keep the flowers 
fresh and free from spot do not let the plants suffer 
in consequence. If growing in baskets or pans, dip 
them in a pail of tepid water as they become moder¬ 
ately dry. In doing this wet the greater part of the 
compost without letting the water reach the collar 
of the plants. The middle of the day when the 
temperature is at the highest poiDt is the best time 
to do this. 
Angraecum sesquipedale. —The winter flow ering 
variety is just now making a good display and seems to 
thoroughly enjoy the brisk heat of this division. 
That it will do well grown much cooler, that is, with 
the Cattleyas, we have proved beyond question. To 
do so, however, you have to be very careful as regards 
moisture at the roots during the winter months or 
the foliage will become spotted. Keep them fairly 
dry, however, and they whilst not making so much 
headway as those treated to a higher temperature, 
will make good stiff leaves and give a good account 
of themselves as regards flowers. 
Phaius tuberculosus. —Growers generally fight 
shy of this species on account of its being difficult 
to manage. One thing is certain ; it cannot be grown 
to perfection without being accommodated with 
plenty of heat and moisture. Like the Phalaenopsis 
it cannot stand strong sunshine; therefore a place 
near the glass above these plants would be a most 
suitable place for them. It is a real " knock out ” 
for attracting thrips, red spider, green fly, &c., but a 
judicious use of XL All keeps it free from these pests, 
without which they spell failure. When you hit the 
treatment right, there is no Orchid that appeals 
more to your refined taste, than does this one. As 
it requires an abundance of moisture at the roots, 
when growing the compost should be such that the 
water can pass freely away. Good peat and moss 
with the addition of some crocks broken up very fine 
is a good thing for them to root into. 
The Hybrid P. Cooksonii claims the foregoing 
and P. Wallichii as its parents and is a very fine 
thing indeed, improving, as it does, the flowers of our 
old friend P. Wallichii without lessening its robust 
habit. It is a credit to that excellent hybridist, Mr. 
Cookson, who has, like the late Mr. Dominy and 
the present don at the game, Mr. Seden, given an 
impetus to hybridising, the outcome of which can 
only be mere conjecture. 
The aim of the hybridist should be to produce 
things which are an advance on what we have at 
present and then it pays for the patience and time 
it takes to flower them.— C. 
NOTICE OF BOOK. 
Sutton’s Royal Seed Establishment, at Reading, 
England. 
Such is the title of a book of some 77 pages, giving 
a brief description of the stores, order rooms, and 
offices of Messrs. Sutton & Sons, Reading. The 
premises of this vast seed establishment cover about 
six acres of ground, and the visitor can have no con¬ 
ception of the extent and intricacy of the said stores 
until he has spent some hours in examining the same. 
The book is profusely illustrated throughout, and 
gives details ot the far reaching importance of supply¬ 
ing the public with farm and garden seeds of the 
highest germinating power, and the great and unceas¬ 
ing care that has been taken to secure this end. 
The most perfect of modern machinery is employed, 
and manual labour is extensively employed where 
human brains are needed to supply that assistance 
which machinery will never furnish. The testing of 
the germinating faculty of seeds is a part of the daily 
routine of work after machinery and human hands 
have done their best to eliminate impurities and 
defective seeds. The mere germination of the seeds 
is merely intended to test the vitality of the same; 
but this is only one branch of the labour, for the 
other is to fully develop and flower or fruit the 
respective subjects in hand, either in glasshouses or 
in the open air trial grounds. 
