February 23, 1901 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
411 
— ■ --- ■- “ . — -- ■ ■ ■ ' — 
Eulophia pulchra. —The spike from the base of 
the pseudo bulb rises to a height of 18 in. or more, 
and carries a raceme of seven or more flowers. The 
sepals but the petals more markedly are lined with 
crimson-purple on pale yellow. The lip is striate 
with purple on the side lobes, the rest being pale 
yellow. (Botanical Certificate.) H. T. Pitt, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. H. Thurgood), Rosslyn, Stamford 
Hill. 
Angraecum hyaloides. —The flowers of this 
miniature species, small and transparent white, are 
produced in short spreading racemes. The spur is a 
little longer than the ovary ; and the whole plant is 
only about 2 in. high. (Botanical Certificate.) J. 
Colman, Esq. (gardener, Mr. W. P. Bound), Gatton 
Park, Reigate. 
Floral Committee. 
Pteris cretica albo-lineata Alexandrae.— The 
pinnae of this handsome variety are crested at the 
apices; and instead of a narrow silvery line along 
the centre of the pinnae, the latter are silvery above 
with narrow green margins only. (Award of Merit.) 
Mr. H. B. May, Dyson's Lane Nurseries, Upper 
Edmonton. 
■ 
THE ALPINE GARDEN 
Is becoming more popular every day, and is at all 
seasons affording objects novel and interesting. The 
numerous species of alpines embrace a large variety 
requiring different soils and situations. Though all 
plants called alpine are not natives of the Alps, most 
of them hail from the famous mountains, their 
slopes and rocks. Thus, when one studies the con¬ 
ditions of a plant’s habitat, he has the key to its 
successful culture. Some love to be planted in soil 
containing lime or calcium mixtures; for lime, as 
we know it commercially, never exists as such natur¬ 
ally, and if an exception could be found, it would go 
to prove the rule. Others seem to detest limy soil, 
and refuse to live in that containing only a trace of 
calcareous mixture. Many there are which love a 
home on bare rocks, into which they pierce their 
little fibres, by which they hold their home in spite 
of storm and frost. In case these get covered in 
snow, they are happy and come out fresh and 
smiling as the snow thaws from them. By far the 
largest number prefer peaty loam made porous by 
abundance of sand when blended, and half covered 
with stones. Another class there is which prefers 
being planted on the dry banks of streams, where 
the points of their main roots can obtain abundance 
of water at will.— H. H. Gibson, Gardens, Glencairn, 
Belfast. 
GLOXINIAS. 
To ensure a fine display of bloom for September 
seeds of the above should be sown at once. Pots 
should be filled with fine, light, sandy soil, and the 
seed, which is very minute, sown very thinly on the 
surface ; pieces of glass should be placed over each 
of the pots, and they will germinate quickly if placed 
on a good brisk bottom heat. Immediately the seed¬ 
lings are large enough to handle, they should be 
pricked out in pots and again placed on a good 
bottom heat. The plants should be grown as rapidly 
as is possible, potting them in small pots as soon as 
fit, and finally potting off into 48’s. We have had 
fine blooms in the month mentioned above. Being 
stove perennials, they require a temperature from 
6o° to 65°, and delight in a moist heat. They should 
be shaded from the sun, as it causes the leaves to 
turn yellow if exposed to the rays of the sun too 
much. When coming into flower they should be 
watered about twice a week with weak liquid 
manure. The compost I find suits them best here 
is a mellow, fibrous loam, with a little peat and 
silver sand added, but no manure. — T. W. Dollety, 
The Gardens, Whitburn, Sunderland. 
— ■ - 
OLIVIAS OR IMANTOPHYLLUMS. 
This section of the natural order Amaryllidaceae is, 
I fear, much neglected in many of our plant growing 
establishments, or at least is not awarded so great a 
share of attention as its merits deserve. It is a 
valuable acquisition for an amateur’s greenhouse, or 
to the gardener who has forcing houses available, 
and will be found of great service for the conser¬ 
vatories, or for room decoration during the next five 
or six weeks. Our old plants are showing twelve to 
fifteen spikes each, averaging twenty to twenty-five 
of their trumpet shaped blooms to each spike. Our 
method of culture consists of disturbing the roots as 
little as possible, but to increase the stock of any par¬ 
ticular variety. Division has to be resorted to as 
the best means of so doing; but when once estab¬ 
lished in 10 or 12-in. pots they can, with occasional 
top-dressing and feeding in their growing season, be 
kept in a healthy state for some years. The best 
time for re-potting is immediately after their flower¬ 
ing season, and the compost I find to suit them well, 
is composed of equal parts of good fibrous peat and 
loam with liberal additions of charcoal and sand, 
with good drainage. They must not be potted too 
firmly and care must be taken to work the 
fresh soil between the large roots. After potting 
they should be given an intermediate temperature, 
with plenty of atmospheric moisture for a few weeks, 
after which they can gradually be inured to a more 
airy structure. By the middle of August they can be 
placed outside to thoroughly ripen their growth. 
They are easily raised from seed.— G.W 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS TO FLOWER IN 
6-in. POTS. 
Cottings should be inserted the first or second 
week of March The soil should consist of loam, 
leaf mould and sand, in equal parts. Put three 
cuttings round the edge of a 3-in. pot, water gently 
to settle the soil round the heel of the cuttings. 
Place them in boxes just deep enough for a pane of 
glass to be laid over them. When rooted, pot them 
off into 3-in. pots. When 6 ins. high nip out the 
point to make them break. Towards the end of June 
these pots will be well filled with roots. Shift them 
into 6-in. pots using a compost of good yellow fibrous 
loam, leaf mould, dried horse droppings, sand, char¬ 
coal bone dust, and Thomson’s Vine manure. Pot 
very firmly to encourage sturdy growth, and leave 
room for a rich top-dressing when the pots are well 
filled with roots. The plants in their summer 
quarters should be fully exposed to the sun all day. 
When the first or second bud is secured, a feed three 
times a week with weak manure water will do good. 
They should be housed by the first of October, and 
fed with Ichthemic Guano, every time the watering 
is done, until the buds show colour. With careful 
attention exhibition blooms can be grown in the 
above size of pots. Their attention is a splendid 
pastime in spare evenings, and their glorious returns 
in November pay it all.— Willie, Lechmelm Gardens, 
Ross-shire, N.B. 
--5-- 
SINGLE TUBEROUS BEGONIAS FOR 
BEDDING 
Are fast superseding the Geraniums (Zonal Pelar¬ 
goniums) for bedding purposes, inasmuch as they 
require little attention through the winter. If the 
tubers are stored in a house free from damp and frost 
after their foliage has died down, they will require 
nothing more until now, when they should be placed 
in boxes among leafy soil and watered, placing them 
in a cold house. They will not require any heat 
except in case of frost. Tubers started in this way 
flower better than those brought forward in heat. 
After the tubers are started, any that are thought too 
large for planting out, can be divided in the same 
way as a Potato (a well-worn sharp table knife does 
this best), and the cut parts rubbed over with a little 
quick lime (o prevent bleeding, and restored again to 
their boxes. The tubers can be cut before starting, 
but there is too little to guide one at that stage. Plant 
out early in June, giving, a slightly shaded position, 
in beds made up with leaf mould and sand ; how¬ 
ever, I have seen them doing well planted out with¬ 
out either. The plants give the best display when 
planted all one colour together. It may be said that 
the Begonia will thrive under the same treatment as 
the Potato. There is no need for me to enter into 
the sowing of Begonia seed as it has been fully 
detailed on in these pages at earlier dates.— M. 
--o-J—- 
CARNATIONS IN POTS- 
Carnations that are intended for greenhouse 
decoration, will in a week or two require a shift into 
their flowering pots, 8 in. being a very suitable size 
in most cases. Some growers advocate making up 
a compost in the autumn, turning it several times; 
so that it may become well incorporated before 
using. But in many places time is too precious for 
that sort of work. However, they may be grown 
exceedingly well without so much extra labour being 
expended. One important item is drainage, as roots 
of Carnations are subject to excessive damp. There¬ 
fore it is essential to bear that in mind when making 
up the compost. A very good mixture for them is 
the following : three parts good loam, two parts leaf 
soil, one part horse dung well rubbed down, and some 
coarse silver sand, adding a little hot lime, perhaps 
two days or so before potting them, so as it may kill 
any insects injurious to the roots. After potting 
place *:hem in a dry, airy situation, as they will not 
stand coddling. Before they come into bloom give 
waterings of sooty water, not too strong. If any 
signs of green or black fly appear, syringe with a mix¬ 
ture of soft soap diluted in hot water, which proves 
effective. Always make it a point to keep the plants 
neatly staked, so as to avoid the flower stems becom¬ 
ing broken.— Walter Hogarth, Norton Gardens, Ratho, 
Midlothian. 
ROYAL GARDENERS’ ORPHAN FUND. 
The annual general meeting of the members of the 
above fund was held at Essex Hall, Essex Street, 
London, W.C., on Friday, the 15th inst., Mr. H. B. 
May in the chair. Amongst those present were 
Messrs. H. J. Veitch, G. Monro, G. Cuthbert, W. 
Howe, R. Dean, A. Dean, J. Assbee, W. R. Alder- 
son, J. Fraser, Jas. Malady, P. R. Barr, C. J. Den¬ 
ning, W. Roupell, J. F. McLeod, Geo. Gordon, 
H. J. Jones and W. Cutbush. After the usual 
formalities had been transacted, the chairman 
said 
" Before moving the adoption of the report, 1 
would refer to the loss the nation has sustained in 
the death of her late Majesty Queen Victoria, but 
so much has already been said, and so well said by! 
others, it is unnecessary that I should make more 
than a passing reference to the event. That gener¬ 
ous sympathy which her Majesty evinced in the 
various institutions engaged in promoting the wel¬ 
fare of her poorer subjects, is equally conspicuous in 
the members of the Royal Family. H.M. Queen 
Alexandra, as Princess of Wales, has been for many 
years the patron of the Royal Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund, and the committee have thought this a fitting 
occasion to present to her Majesty on the behalf of 
the subscribers a loyal and dutiful address, assuring 
her Majesty of our sympathy in her bereavement 
and our devotion to her person.” Mr. H. J. Veitch 
cordially seconded the motion, which was carried 
unanimously. 
To Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen 
Alexandra, Lady of the Most Noble 
Order of the Garter. 
The loyal and dutiful Address of the President, Vice- 
Presidents, Treasurer and Committee of the Royal Gar¬ 
deners' Orphan Fund. 
Most Gracious Queen : 
We, the undersigned, representing the Royal Gar¬ 
deners’ Orphan Fund, humbly approach your 
Majesty to offer our respectful sympathy, to express 
our heartfelt sorrow on the death of our late Sovereign 
Lady Queen Victoria, and to assure your Majesty 
that we deeply share the profound emotion that has 
affected all hearts at the irreparable loss which your 
Majesty, the members of the Royal Family and the 
whole empire have sustained. We venture also to 
express our deep sense of gratitude to your Majesty 
for your gracious patronage of this institution, and 
to state that this benign influence has greatly con¬ 
duced to its present prosperous condition, and we 
humbly beg leave to assure your Majesty of our 
respectful attachment and devotion to your Royal 
Person and also of our dutiful loyalty to his Most 
Excellent Majesty the King. 
The above address was beautifully illuminated in 
black and gold and signed by the president, one of 
the vice-presidents, the treasurer and chairman of 
the committee. 
The chairman then moved the adoption of the 
report, having discussed its financial merits, and 
especially referring to the conversion of the 2J % 
Consols into a more remunerative investment. He 
also read a number of letters from mothers 
whose children had been aided by the fund, all of 
which testified to the thankfulness and appreciation 
with which the efforts of the institution were 
received. Mr. H. J. Jones seconded the report. 
Report of the Executive Committee and 
Statement of Accounts. 
The committee in presenting their thirteenth annual 
report have pleasure in making the announcement 
that the steady progress reported in 1899 has been 
