536 
May 15,1897. . 
THE GARDENING WORLD.. 
COELOGYNE CRISTATA. 
This may truly be regarded as a favourite in private 
establishments, and would also be a good market 
plant for the sake of cut flowers, provided the 
latter would carry well, but unfortunately they do 
not. Their naturally flimsy and drooping habit 
gives them a graceful appearance when seen on the 
plant, but if cut and crowded together in boxes they 
soon present a crushed and faded appearance. For 
the decoration of cool Orchid houses and conser¬ 
vatories the species, and its several varieties, are 
admirably suitable, the large white flowers being 
shown off to advantage against the dark green 
foliage. 
The accompanying illustration was prepared from 
a photograph of a group of plants in the conservatory 
of E. H. Watts, Esq., Devonhurst, Chiswick, several 
weeks ago when the species was in season. There 
were eight plants of moderate size in the composition 
of this group, so that their floriferous character may 
be seen at a glance. Space being at a premium these 
plants of Coelogyne cristata are as large as is desired 
here, so that the most is made of them during the 
period they are in bloom. After that, Mr. James 
Gibson, the gardener, places them in the Peach 
house to make their growth, and here they have been 
for some weeks past. They are now giving evidence 
or rather promise of making good growth again. 
Mr. Gibson finds them easy to manage with the 
houses at command, by shifting them from one to 
the other according to what is being done in the 
various plant and fruit houses, and the necessity for 
change. 
The conservatory is used for plants in flower 
during the season, the tall ones being arranged round 
the sides. The floor is paved with ornamental tiles 
of various colours, and a group of plants is occa¬ 
sionally arranged on the floor, as was the group here 
illustrated. The Kentia formed an admirable back¬ 
ground to the dwarf plants. The conservatory itself 
is a rather high building in direct communication 
with the mansion by the door seen at the back of the 
group. It is kept cool and airy, and the large basket 
plants suspended from the roof give the whole a 
pleasing appearance, making the place enjoyable to 
the owner and his family. 
- -t- - 
OUR ORCHID HOUSES AND WHAT 
MAY BE DONE WITH THEM. 
[Concluded from p. 570 .) 
We now turn to the East Indian house which would 
be kept 5 0 to 10° warmer, and in which we find quite 
a distinct class of plant ; and although they may be 
somewhat lacking in the large gay flowers of the 
Cattleyas, they will be found quite as interesting. 
Here we find a home for a great number of Cypri- 
pediums, a class of plant that is being largely added 
to by the aid of the hybridiser. Possibly no other 
class gives more pleasure to the grower than this 
genus does. They are perhaps the most easily 
raised from seed of any Orchid, and the results thus 
obtained add considerably to the interest of the 
collection. Here also we find a home[for the Vandas, 
Aerides, Saccolabiums, and many of our Dendrobes 
like to make their growth here. If we want.to make 
a good selection for the purpose of having showy 
Orchids, this is the house to show our ability to do 
so. Although I have not one word to say against 
those who make a speciality of growing what I may 
term botanical curiosities, there are so many good 
showy Orchids to fill this house that I cannot find 
room for that class of plant here. It is really a 
question of selection in Orchid growing now-a-days. 
The species and varieties are so numerous that we 
have not room enough for all ; we must follow the 
natural law— the survival of the fittest. 
The arrangements for this house would be on the 
same principle as I have described for the Cattleya 
house. Here the side stages will be a most suitable 
position for our Cypripeds. The tall growing Vardas 
can be accommodated in the centre of the house, and 
many of the Aerides and Saccolabiums can be well 
grown suspended from the roof, as well as many of 
the Coelogynes, and numerous others which are too 
numerous to mention here. Of late years there is not 
the same amount of interest taken in the cultivation 
of the Vandas and Aerides that was taken previously. 
Yet we find the general public, when they see this 
class of plant in flower, admire it very much, and as 
a rule they are not bad judges of what is beautiful. 
Of recent introduction we have in this section of 
Orchids one of the most beautiful to be found in the 
whole family. I refer to Vanda sanderiana, and those 
of you who saw the specimen exhibited at one of the 
meetings of the R.H.S. last year, can form an opinion 
of the beauty of the flower. Again in Saccolabium 
bellinum we have a most beautiful gem. Whatever 
selection of plants we make for this house, great 
judgment will be required by the cultivator to place 
the right plants in the right part of the house. We 
can also find room here lor some of the more choice 
foliage plants, such as Bertolonias, Sonerillas, Leea 
amabilis, Alocasias, etc., etc. This house will also 
be a good place for Cattleya aurea if suspended near 
the roof while making its growth, as well as some 
others that require more heat while making their 
growth. If we are only to have two hot bouses 
for Orchids, of course we must find room for the 
Dendrobes here, but I would rather prefer having a 
house for themselves on account of the heat and 
moisture it is necessary to maintain while making 
their growth. At the present time there is no class 
of Orchids having so much attention given to them. 
Nor is this to be wondered at, for in my opinion it is 
one of the most beautiful of the genera. Few of you 
but will remember the first time you saw Den. 
wardianum, perhaps, the most lovely of the genus. 
The interest that is being taken at the present time 
in Dendrobe hybrids is adding considerably to the 
number, as well as the beauty. Next to the Cypri- 
pediums the Dendrobes offer a rich field to the 
hybridiser, and whenever the opportunity occurs, 
the grower should embrace it in trying to add to the 
already long list of hybrids. No fear of adding too 
many. That law, " the survival of the fittest,” 
will place them all in their right places; but the food 
for reflection so obtained will be of great service to 
us, even although it may not always be palatable. 
Turning now to our cool Orchid house, a house 
similar in construction to that described for Cattleyas, 
will also be suitable for our purpose here ; and the 
same system of arrangement should be carried out. 
Many of our brighter coloured foliage plants, will, 
however, have to give place to plants of a more 
sombre hue, but not less attractive on that account. 
Although we have few large growing plants in this 
section, we have nevertheless a very varied and 
beautiful class of plants to work with to make an 
effective arrangement. To fill the centre of the 
house such plants as Cymbidium lowianum, C. gigan- 
teum, C. tracyanum, C. grandiflorum, &c., are avail¬ 
able, and a fine effect they have when in flower. 
There is no plant I can think of at the moment that 
will last so long in flower as those Cymbidiums. I 
have had C. lowianum in flower from January to 
May. Although Lycaste Skinnerii is well known as 
an Orchid that will last a long time in flower, it has 
no chance against Cymbidium lowianum. There 
are also the hybrids of C. lowianum and C. ebur- 
neum, which may be placed with the above, as 
beautiful additions to this class of plants. This I 
have been able to raise from seed, and am looking 
forward with some amount of pleasure to its flower¬ 
ing. As you are aware, both crosses have been 
already raised and flowered, but at the same time 
there is a certain amount of pleasure, when you can 
say, that is one of my seedlings. It seems to bring the 
plant into a closer connection with you. It is some¬ 
thing you feel you are obliged to take particular care 
of by watching, and supplying all its wants to obtain 
the satisfaction necessary to repay the trouble taken. 
In this house we would still retain the side stages 
for growing purposes, and by a judicious selection of 
species and varieties we can keep the house interest 
ing most part of the year. Although I have recom¬ 
mended the same class of house as suitable for cool 
Orchids as I have for Cattleyas and the East Indian 
Orchids, I would, however, prefer for choice, to have 
in addition a span-roofed house 10 ft. wide with side 
stages only, and a path down the centre of the house, 
and that path and floor of house covered with ashes 
only, so that we can have abundance of moisture in 
the atmosphere during the growing season, which 
extends all the year round. If then a suitable rockery 
can be arranged in which to place the plants when 
in flower, a very charming effect can be produced. 
In the different sections we have none to rival this 
either in variety or value of the plants. It is, when 
one thinks of the responsibility attached to the grow¬ 
ing of such plants we feel that the gardener should 
be better recompensed for his labour. At the same 
time it is a great honour to think that the remunera¬ 
tion for his services seldom enters into consideration 
when the well being of the plants under his care 
demands his careful attention. 
There is just one class of house and arrangement, 
I should just like to say a word or two concerning 
before concluding this paper. I am well aware we 
cannot all have the kind of house I have been des¬ 
cribing to-night in which to grow and arrange our 
Orchids. But I think something could be done with 
whatever kind of house we have, to make that house 
attractive by the judicious arrangement of the plants 
grown therein. If we can show, in addition to a 
well grown specimen, that specimen arranged to the 
best advantage, then we are adding to the value of 
the plant, and to the honour of the cultivator in 
making the most of his surroundings. In the race 
for something new and pleasing that we are all run¬ 
ning, ay 1 and everyone trying to outrace his 
neighbour, one thing has struck me as being of the 
utmost importance, and, that is, if we want to obtain 
the best effect we must mass. Whether it be in the 
arrangement of Orchids or hardy plants the effect is 
the same. A few plants scattered or dotted about is 
not so effective as the same number of plants 
arranged closer together. Whatever may be the 
number of plants we want to make the most of, let 
us try whatever different arrangement may suggest 
itself. But note carefully what pleases best, and in 
the future we shall know what to avoid. So we 
store up knowledge as we travel through our daily 
lives, anticipating the time when we hope to be able 
to make the best use of it, both to our own satisfac¬ 
tion and the benefit of our employers— Alex. Wright. 
-+■- 
EXHIBITION AT HAMBURG. 
The Committee of the Algemeine Gartenbau 
Austellung (International Horticultural Exhibition) 
at Hamburg are to be congratulated on the success 
of the first of the six special exhibitions to be held 
at stated periods during the forthcoming season. 
The main building in itself is the wonder of all who 
visit the show, whether Germans or foreigners, on 
account of its great extent. The tall Palms, repre¬ 
sentative of Italy rather than a northern country, 
give the place a subtropical effect. Plants of a kind 
are often grouped together so as to catch the eye of 
the observer at a distance, as well as to draw the 
visitors ior a closer inspection. The various displays 
are produced by flowering plants here and foliage 
plants yonder in such a way as to appear massive 
and extensive. Only the more important of the 
groups and classes are here enumerated. 
Groups of plants for effect took up a considerable 
amount of space, and the best group in the largest 
class was shown by Mr. F. L. Stueben, whose tall 
Palms were very massive, forming a background to 
the dwarfer subjects. Other foliage plants consisted 
of well-grown Dracaena Lindeni, Marantas, and 
members of the Pineapple tribe. He also had 
Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and varieties of Hippeas- 
trum as flowering subjects in various effective 
colours, and received a large Gold Medal and 300 
marks for his admirable group. Flowering trees and 
shrubs were a strong feature, and Mr. Sayderhelm, of 
Hamburg, took the first prize for a fine display of 
Magnolias, Lilac, Roses, and Prunus triloba with a 
profusion of rosy flowers. Mr. Rucker-Jenisch also 
took the first prize in another class, showing Orchids, 
Caladiums, Pandanus, Alocasia, Anthuriums, Hip- 
peastrums, and other flowering plants, amongst 
which large Palm trees were again most conspic¬ 
uous. 
Baron Schroder, as announced in these columns 
some time ago, brought over a splendid collection of 
his favourite Orchids' from England. A grandly 
flowered plant of Dendrobium infundibulum at¬ 
tracted much attention, but Ludemannia Pescatorea 
was more interesting to Orchidists because rare. 
Tall Vandas and the more commonly grown Cypri- 
pediums found their admirers ; but the richly spotted 
Odontoglossums gave a better idea of the richness of 
this famous collection. He received a Gold Medal 
for his exhibit, though not competing. Orchids 
were not so plentiful as might have been expected, 
but a fine collection was shown in the class for 100 
plants, by Dr. Nanne of Hamburg who was awarded 
the first prize. Messrs F. Sander & Co., St. Albans, 
was successful in obtaining a first prize of 400 marks 
offered by Baron Schroder for a group of Cattleya 
Schroderae. Many fine varieties were placed in the 
group, and well deserved the honour they received. 
The rich colours of Anthurium scherzerianum had 
a lively effect owing to the brilliancy of their colour 
