September 8, 1900. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
23 
times the tendency has been to link together all 
those forms that closely resembled one another in 
all important particulars, making them varieties or 
forms of one species. At present there is a tendency 
again to separate the more distinct into species, a 
proceeding that has some good points to recommend 
it, one of which would be a shortening or simplifica¬ 
tion of names. Another point is that because no 
one is able to lay down a rule or rules that will 
gauge or define a species precisely, we need not be 
too particular or far reaching in the lumping together 
of a great many forms under one specific name if 
nothing is to be gained by it. The description of N. 
rugilobus, as defined by Haworth, was that it had 
pale sulphur-yellow segments that were longer than 
the trumpet. The latter was much plicate and of a 
rich or dark yellow. The other way of naming this 
Daffodil would be to call it Narcissus Pseudo¬ 
narcissus var. rugilobus. The illustration of it was 
lent us by Messrs. J. Peed & Son, Roupell Park 
Nurseries, West Norwood, and should have appeared 
in our last issue. 
NARCISSUS JOHNSTONI QUEEN OF . 
SPAIN. 
Several forms of the beautiful little Daffodil 
named N. Johnstoni, a native of Portugal, have 
received distinctive names; but none of them are 
so gracefully beautiful as N. J. Queen of Spain, 
which is characterised by reflexed and often slightly 
twisted, lemon-yellow segments. The botanists 
make it a form of N. Pseudo-narcissus, but for 
garden purposes it is sufficiently distinct to be 
regarded or rather named as if it were a separate 
species. The tube of the flower is f in. long, and 
much narrower towards the base than in other forms 
of the Daffodil, and the lemon corona is usually 
truncate as if clipped short at the mouth. The 
accompanying illustration of it, placed at our disposal 
by Messrs. J. Peed & Son, Roupell Park Nurseries, 
West Norwood, shows the contour of the flowers and 
their graceful disposition on the stalks. None of 
the forms of N. Johnstoni have flowers of large size, 
so that they appear diminutive alongside of such as 
N. Emperor and N. Empress, but when grown in 
clumps or beds by themselves, or used for decora¬ 
tive work in pots or in a cut state, they are 
charmingly graceful, but none more so than N. J 
Queen of Spain. 
The Oicljid Growers’ calendar. 
Oncidium tigrinum. —Keep a sharp look out for 
plants pushing up their flower spikes with the 
young growths, for they are a tempting morsel to 
slugs. The best way is to isolate the plants, and 
stand them on inverted pots, or the " Murray 
Orchid Stand " in saucers containing water. Or 
one may put some cotton wool, rough side outward, 
round the base of the spikes, which impedes their 
progress, but does not at all times effectually stop 
them. All spikes should be protected by either 
suspending the plants, or as stated above. Afford 
plenty of moisture at the roots, as this beautiful 
Oncidium is just now making plenty of roots. 
O. Macranthum. —This is one of the best of the 
genus, but differs from the preceding by being 
constantly on the move, requiring but very little, if 
any, rest, on that account. The flowering season is 
extended over a longer period. There is no stated or 
set time for repotting this variety, but we generally 
catch themjust as the growths have attained a good 
height and are pushing new roots. Some may have 
their spikes just showing, but that makes no differ¬ 
ence if they are not too far advanced. We favour 
rather loose potting for this one, as the roots are 
larger and require an open compost of moss and 
peat in equal parts. A naturally moist situation 
suits it best. 
O. Rossn majus.— This little Mexican Odonto- 
glossum is fast making up its new pseudobulbs, and 
will be pushing spikes forthwith ; indeed, some of 
ours are already showing. For some time past 
they have had very little water, only just enough to 
keep them from shrivelling unduly, the result being 
very strong, healthy growths, which are making up 
bulbs larger than the imported ones. And with few 
exceptions the points of the leaves have not turned 
brown as is usual with this species. Too much 
moisture at the roots for these Mexican Odonto- 
glossums is, I am sure, a mistake. Nature has 
provided them with a little, rough, clubby pseudo¬ 
bulb that will stand a lot of draught; and although 
at times we can go one better than nature, we must 
so far as possible take our cue from her if we are to 
giving you blooms is not what should be aimed at, 
but good, hard, healthy growths with leathery 
foliage, that will produce highly coloured flowers of 
great substance. To do this, then, you must be in 
love with your work, noting every little peculiarity 
in the different species, and at the same time make 
Narcissus Johnstoni Queen of Spain 
keep the plants in good condition for] long. Anyone 
with anything like a proper structure can do pretty 
well with imported stuff for a few seasons, but few 
can keep them going and flowering year after year 
unless they treat them in a rational manner. Large 
sappy pseudobulbs that will go off pop ! without 
up your mind that you will master every detail. It 
is, of course, to the younger generation of gardeners 
that I am addressing these remarks, for it is to these 
we shall in due course have to hand over our 
favourites, which have given us so much pleasure to 
look after.—S. C. 
Narcissus rugilobus. 
