December 16, 1899. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
247 
they than me. There are other subjects nearer 
home to suit me and mine. But it is not them¬ 
selves they ought alone to consider. It would take 
too loDg to go logically into the matter, but apart 
from the beauty of the Ferns as a covering or their 
primary use in the history of Nature of forming soil 
and even fuel, we do not know what effect the de- 
pletement of Ferns woul 1 have; but the result 
would certainly be in the direction of sterility.— D. 
HERBACEOUS ASTERS. 
It is difficult to say exactly whether the public or 
rather horticulturists are more in favour of this 
handsome and most welcome class of plants than 
they used to be or whether the opinion, appreciation 
or growing of them is just as before. If they do 
not attain great popularity or success they at least 
deserve it. Certain it is that a considerable number 
of new growers have taken them in hand. 
To see large vases in a handsome drawing-room 
filled in glorious lavishness and laxity with these 
vigorous, bright and cheaply got Star flowers known 
in common parlance as Starworts and Michaelmas 
Daisies, creates—well, I cannot tell what; but it 
makes even a seared florist or judge of flowers just 
halt and—that’s enough, if a florist, a flower-seller 
can even look two seconds at a stranger’s vase of 
flowers it proves the worth of them. 
Asters are very hardy and marvellously free 
flowering. Not many amateurs are without a cer¬ 
tain number of plants, while gardeners must have 
them, they couid not do without them. Roughly, 
the herbaceous Asters may be said to continue in 
bloom from early August until far into the year, 
indeed almost till its close in good seasons. The 
back parts of the herbaceous borders or beds out in 
the open grounds, where some slight shelter can be 
afforded are the best places for planting them. 
Young plants may be had from seeds sown in nur¬ 
sery beds or from the division of old plants. Pro¬ 
bably the latter is the speedier method and is also a 
sure one. No one need hesitate to select any or all 
of the following varieties:—A. Novi-Belgii 
laevigatus, A. Amellus, A. Novae-Angliae ruber, A. 
N.-A. pulchellus, A. N.-A. roseus, A. amethystinus, 
A. ericoides, A. acris, or many others that are im¬ 
proved and worthy. 
PLANTS RECENTLY CERTIFICATED. 
The undermentioned awards were made by the Royal 
Horticultural Society on the 5th inst.:—• 
Orchid Committee. 
Cypripedium Hera var. Euryades. —The dorsal 
sepal of this variety is orbicular, of large s'ze, and 
heavily blotched with blackish-crimson on a white 
ground. The central portion is edged with a white 
line, round which is a broad white margin, more or 
less mottled with crimson. Heavy crimson blotches 
on the back shine through on the face when the light 
falls that way. The petals are dark shining brown 
on the upper longitudinal half while the lower is 
blotched with brown. The lip is dark brown and 
shining. It is a very handsome hybrid derived from 
C. leeanum x Boxalli. (First-class Certificate.) 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, (grower, Mr. W. H, 
White), Burford Lodge, Dorking. 
Cattleya Maggie Raphael— This beautiful 
hybrid was derived from C. aurea (female) and C. 
Trianaei (male). The sepals are buff coloured. The 
elliptic petals are heavily shaded with purple on a 
buff ground, especially towards the edges and tips. 
The large lip is maroon-crimson, with paler purple 
apex, and the dark colour is continued to the base of 
the tube, the outer face of which is pale purple. 
(First-class Certificate.) H. S. Leon, Esq. (gardener, 
Mr. Hislop), Bletchley Park, Bletchley. 
Sophrocattleya chamberlainiana triumphans. 
—The parents of this bigeneric hybrid were Cattleya 
Harrisoniae (female) and Sophronites grandiflora. 
The sepals are deep carmine-red. The obovate- 
elliptic petals are darker, especially towards the tips. 
The lip is yellow shaded with red at the edges of the 
side lobes, and the tip of the lamina is fiery-scarlet. 
(Award of Merit.) Right Hon. }. Chamberlain 
(grower, Mr. J. Smith), Highbury Moor Green. 
Birmingham. 
Oncidium varicosum Lindeni. —The sepals and 
petals of this species are small and striped with 
brown, but they are quite overshadowed by the 
huge bright yellow lip which has a large crimson 
blotch on the centre where the three lobes join. 
(Award of Merit.) Horticole Coloniale, Parc Leo¬ 
pold, Brussels. 
Oncidium Forbesii Moortebeekiense. —The 
sepals and petals of this handsome variety are of a 
dark chestnut-red and shining, the margin being 
yellow and variegated with lobed blotches. The 
margin of the lip is similar, but broader. (Award of 
Merit) Horticole Coloniale. 
Cymbidium longiflorum. —The sepals ol this 
species are oblanceolate, and long, the petals being 
narrower, and all striped with brownish-crimson 
lines on a fuscous ground. The lip is white with a 
short, central, crimson line on the lamina, and six 
crimson lines on each side of the ridge in the throat. 
(Award of Merit ) J. S. Moss, Esq., Wintershill 
Hall, Bishops Waltham. 
Floral Committee. 
Chrysanthemum Madame R. Cadbury.— The 
blooms of this Japanese variety measure about 8 in, 
in diameter, without counting stray florets. The 
latter are very broad, more or less twisted and inter¬ 
laced, pure white, and of great substance. (Award 
of Merit.) Mr. H. Weeks, Thrumpton Hall 
Gardens, Derby. 
Chrysanthe mum Oscar. —In this we have a 
single variety measuring 2J in. to 3 in. across the 
rays, which are orange-red, and arranged in two or 
three rows round a large yellow disc. (Award of 
Merit.) Messrs. Clibran & Son, Oldfield Nurseries, 
Altrincham. 
Single Chrysanthemum " Edith-” —In " Ediih,” 
Chrysanthemum lovers will have the most beautiful 
of the large-flowered single varieties at present in 
commerce. It is a broad petalled, deep pink bloom 
with a sweet bronze disc, and a halo or white circle 
encompassing it. (First-class Certificate, N.C.S.) 
Mr. W. C. Pagram, Whinn Gardens, Weybridge. 
Japanese Chrysanthemum J. R. Upton. —Avery 
large, gracefullly built, rich yellow or bright bronze 
Japanese bloom, sure to become a favourite. (First- 
class Certificate, N.C.S.) A. F. Hills, Esq. (gar¬ 
dener, Mr. R. Kenyon), Monkhams, Woodford 
Green, Essex. 
- 
TOE FLOWER GAROEN. 
Protection. —Though we have almost reached 
the shortest day of ihe year, and have had no severe 
weather, yet as we write the signs are all pointing to 
a change. This change is toward colder conditions, 
some snow having fallen. Many things have bloomed 
out of doors up to the present time, such as Dahlias 
and Roses, to go no further. Other plants like 
Jasminum nudiflorum for example, have been 
forwarded out of season. Tea Roses, Banksians, and 
Noisettes, may be mulched with strawy manure. 
Some of course will have followed past directions, so 
that they are safe, and can go on with other neces¬ 
sary work. Other means of protection for various 
plants or beds are, broken fronds, Asparagus (dried), 
Straw, Spruce branches, and even an earthing up 
with soil. Mats, too, may well be used. 
Hardy Chrysanthemums. —From fogs and rain, 
and the advanced period of the year, these are now 
beginning to fade. It is useless to let them rot in 
bunches at the end of the shoots ; it is better to cut 
back the shoots to below the flowering parts. 
Some slight covering may be given to the suckers if 
very severe weather comes on. 
Christmas Roses —These lovely flowering plants 
produce blooms of a snowy and crystalline whiteness 
under the protection of a glass frame. Small plants 
do well under handlights, but large beds or clumps 
should be covered Dy very small and neat frames, 
otherwise the blooms are scarcely worth the 
cutting. 
Michaelmas Daisies.—A t this time the stock of 
these plants should be planted ; rich soil and a well- 
drained position should be accorded to them. For 
a good selection which may be sent for any time 
until March, consult some of the notes which have 
already appeared in the Gardening World. 
Bulbs, such as Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocuses, 
Snowdrops, &c., should no longer be delayed in 
planting. Daffodils may be planted for a short 
while to come, but these two are better in the ground. 
It is now that buyers secure very cheap lots suitable 
for planting up the edges of woodlands and shrub¬ 
beries. This is a phase of gardening which most 
certainly should be more attended to. 
Hyacinthus Candicans my be planted out in 
sheltered borders. It prefers a rich, warm, sandy 
loam. 
Lilium Candidum, the common white or Madonna 
Lily may also be planted now. The bulbs should 
be given every care, and should not by any means 
be planted more than 3 in. deep. On heavy, cold 
soils special stations should be prepared. 
Delphinums, Pyrethrums and Hollyhocks 
should have been planted at the end of last month, 
but owing to the mildness of the weather, and the 
absence of cold rains or snow, the conditions up to 
the present time have been safe enough for planting. 
In all cases allow them room and well prepared areas 
in which to root and grow. 
Paeonies. —These hardy flowering plants are 
among the most fashionable plants of the period. 
Some of the newer varieties are exquisitely beautiful, 
and what is equally or more to the point, they last 
longer than the old favourites. No one should be 
without an up-to-date collection. We bnd them 
very handy for large vase decorations. Old plants 
can be divided at the end of February, and the 
halves planted. Undivided plants can be shifted 
or planted now. 
Shrubs of all sorts may still be planted, and 
alterations or laying out of new grounds can still be 
pushed ahead. 
Cold Frames. —Carnations, Calceolarias, Pansies, 
Violets, &c., &c., in frames, should have all the air 
possible during mild weather. Cover them up dur¬ 
ing frost.— J. H. D. 
- — - — 
Tne OicDld Browe r’s calendar. 
Work in the Houses. —We strongly advise that 
each division be thoroughly cleared of all kinds of 
insect pests that the XL All Vaporiser will touch, 
by the use of the same on alternate evenings during 
the next week; for owing to the sharp weather that 
has suddenly come upon u=, the fiies have to be 
pushed pretty hard, and this is very favourable to 
the breeding of thrips, &c., so that a stitch in time 
in this (as of old) will save not only time but the 
plants from disfigurement. 
With all potting operations at a standstill it gives 
one a good chance to look through all the Odonto- 
glossums for the early spikes. Suspend those that 
are fotward enough out of the reach of slugs and 
thus afford additional room fer those that are left 
standing on the stage. We put cotton wool around 
the spikes when up enough 10 keep these little depre¬ 
dators back, which it does for a time, but not for 
long, so that you must look after them at night or 
they are sure to beat you in the end. Little saucers 
of new bran placed about are a capital trap for them ( 
and, of course, Lettuce leaves. We would mention 
that those plants suspended should be sufficiently 
far from the glass that they will not be damag ;d by 
frost. 
Where practicable we would recommend that 
some covering be put on the roof glass of the houses 
at night; mats or anything that can be easily 
removed at the break of day. The ordinary sun 
blinds are useless for this purpose as they get frozen 
and cannot be rolled up until late in the day ; but 
with the patent wooden lath blinds it is different, 
and for that reason they are to be preferred. 
Vanda caerulea. —Some time ago when writing 
of this lovely Orchid, I pointed out the advisability 
of trying a few in the cool house during the summer 
months. I am pleased to say that ours have done 
wonderfully well under such treatment, the foliage 
keeping beautifully green and free from spot. They 
were brought into the Cattleya house about the eDd 
of August and almost immediately they began to 
push their spikes and are now in full flower. The 
long lost Orchid, Laelia Jongheana, grown under 
similar conditions has exceeded our expectations, 
by pushing up its flower spikes as soon as being 
returned to stronger heat, and no doubt there are 
numerous other things that would receive much 
benefit by a ccurse of treatment as indicated above. 
Temperatures. —Warm division, 6o° to 63°; 
Cattleya house, 55 0 ; cool house, 45 0 at night with a 
rise of about 5° by day or more with sun heat. ■ 
S. C. 
