April 13, 1901. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
627 
from sheep droppings. Eucharis are shade loviDg 
plants so that exposure to direct sunlight must be 
avoided; but on the other hand the extreme must 
not be sought, for, if the shade is too dense they 
become drawn and weak.— F. C. 
POINSETTIA PULCHERRIMA. 
For a brilliant display of colour in the depth of 
winter this plant stands unrivalled. It is generally 
at its best about Christmas-time, when its scarlet 
bracts are in great demand for decorating purposes. 
When given the proper treatment it is a plant very 
easily grown. About April tbe old plants should be 
put into a warm house and watered to make them 
break. When fit the cuttings should be taken off 
with a small heel and inserted singly in thumb pots, 
filled with a sandy compost, and put directly into 
the propagating case before they have time to flag. 
They should have a good bottom heat—about 85 0 — 
and the case kept at 75 0 with the atmosphere 
thoroughly saturated. If treated thus, they soon 
take root and may then be potted on and stood on a 
stove shelf near the glass. They have a tendency to 
grow very tall. If this is not required, dwarf plants 
may be obtained by the following method :—About 
six inches irom the top make an incision about half 
way through the stem. In a week, when this will 
have callused over, complete the cut and treat it as 
a cutting again. This may be done twice in a 
season, and if done carefully fine dwarf plants of not 
more than eight inches may be obtained, producing 
bracts equal to those which are three or four feet 
high.— F. C. 
EPIPHYLLUM TRUNCATUM. 
This beautiful Brazilian plant is not cultivated 
nearly so much as it deserves. It is no trouble to 
manage when given the proper treatment, and for a 
magnificent display of blooms in the spring it is hard 
to surpass. If grown on its own roots a lot of the 
beauty is lost as it does not rear itself, but hangs 
over the side of the pot. It is usual to graft it on 
the Pereskia, to which it takes well, and can be 
made into a nice standard. They like a warm light 
conservatory or stove to grow in. They require 
very little root room and must not be kept too wet. 
The soil should be of a very open nature so that 
there is no fear of stagnant moisture. A good 
sprinkling of lime rubble in the soil will be found 
beneficial. Planted out on a rockery in a warm 
light bouse they do remarkably well. For this 
purpose plants on their own roots should be used, 
as their mcde of growth is better adapted to this 
manner of growing. They are seldom troubled with 
insict pests; the only thing that ever causes any 
trouble is small scale, but owing to the shape and 
texture of the branches this can easily be sponged off 
with a little soap and water. 
--s-- 
ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM AND ITS 
VARIETIES. 
Who, to-day, does not know (be he a horticulturist 
or an amateur grower and lover of flowers) that mar¬ 
vellous plant that the botanist M. Ed. Andre dis¬ 
covered in the springtime of 1876 in the province of 
Choco, in the Andes of Columbia ? This meritorious 
introduction was sufficient to perpetuate the name of 
the happy traveller who has left a number of these 
wonderful introductions that now adorn our gardens 
and are so useful to our florists. The introduction 
of the first Anthurium formed quite an event. Its 
peculiarly characteristic inflorescences astonished 
horticulturists. The cordate spathes were imposing 
to the view, not only by their form and their leathery 
texture, but still more by the vivacity of their 
scarlet colour. The presence of the cylindrical 
spadix, which is golden-yellow and white, and the 
long duration of the inflorescences added to spread 
the popularity of these plants—a popularity which 
has increased and remained justified. This plant has 
lost none of its value in collections of plants at the 
present day ; and is to be found in the glasshouses of 
many of Ihe smallest gardens. The first hybrid 
obtained by M. Bergman, Ferrieres, Brie, by a cross 
between A. ornatum and A. andreanum, created a 
sensation almost equal to that caused by the intro¬ 
duction of the plant. Since then numerous hybrids 
and varieties have been raised in other countries 
besides Belgium. Amongst the most successful 
hybridists may be named M, Jacob Makoy, whose 
well-known nursery is at Liege. The late M. 
Edward Pynaert seems to have been the raiser of 
Anthurium andreanum atropurpureum and A. a. 
Louisae, the latter being the name of his daughter. 
Amongst other seedlings (as mentioned by him in the 
Revue de I'Horticulteur Beige, of August, 1899) he had 
obtained various other shades of colour; for 
example, a variety where the spathe was of a purple 
colour, darker even than atropurpureum. Another 
was carmine-red, very beautiful; and a third was 
paler than the variety Louisae. Many other seed¬ 
lings bad still to flower. It seems strange to learn 
that all these varieties were from the same two 
parent plants—A. andreanum, the seed parent, 
which had been pollinated from A. Chantrieri, the 
latter being little known in this country. The 
questions arise as to whether hybridisation was com¬ 
plete, or only partly. No one can say, but from the 
floral structure of these pretty Aroids, the doubt, or 
supposition, might be entertained. 
On closely examining the mode of flowering, the 
minute, complete flowers arranged on the spadix, 
one must ask if the flowers which they say are 
fecundated have been effected by foreign pollen, and 
if the variability, which plays so great a role in the 
formation of new varieties, has not here been the 
principal actor. We express here a simple hypo¬ 
thesis, for we have been assured by intelligent culti¬ 
vators, who have had hundreds of seeds of A. 
andreanum that those have always reproduced the 
type. But if they explain so easily the obtaining of 
the colours of A. andreanum Louisae, thanks to the 
intervention of A. Chantrieri; it is otherwise with 
A. atropurpureum. Culture does much to alter the 
sfze of the flowers and foliage; and it is said that the 
best and most successful cultivators do not fear to 
use liquid manure,— R. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL — 
April 3rd and 4th. 
The annual spring show of the Royal Caledonian 
Horticultural Society was held in the Waverley 
Market, Edinburgh, on the above dates, under very 
favourable auspices as to weather, considering the 
particularly trying state of it, which had prevailed 
for some time previously—rain, frost, and boisterous 
winds alternating with one another, and making the 
outlook for the show very bad indeed. As it was the 
weather changed for the better, and the show was a 
great success, notwithstanding its being a few entries 
short of last year. The number on this occasion was 
505. At 1.30 p.m. the show was formally opened by 
Col. Forbes Mackay, convenor of the Parks and Gar¬ 
dens Committee of the Town Council. The Colonel 
congratulated the society for having given renewed 
proof of its vitality, notwithstanding the untoward 
condition of the weather to tbe well-being of the 
flowers, fruits, and vegetables that adorned the 
tables. In raciDg parlance the society was still 
“ strong and fit,” and he commended it to the atten¬ 
tion of all lovers of flowers. The antiquated and 
formal or conventional ribbon border style of gar¬ 
dening, as applied to open spaces, was declining, and 
he was not sorry to see it go. The extension of the 
cultivation of hardy herbaceous plants was more 
worthy of their care, and he hoped they would wel¬ 
come it. 
The judges were entertained to dinner in the 
afternoon at the Royal British Hotel, under the 
presidency of Mr. David Laird, supported by Mr. 
W. Mackinnon and Mr. John Methven, as croupiers. 
After the loyal toasts had been honoured, Mr. 
M’Hattie, the recently appointed superintendent of 
the Edinburgh Parks and Gardens, proposed "The 
Judges.” Mr. J. Morrison, Archerfield, Drem, re¬ 
sponded to this toast. Bailie M'Kenzie proposed 
" Success to the Royal Caledonian Horticultural 
Society and the Exhibitors,” to which Mr. M. 
M’lntyre, The Glen, Innerleithen, replied. Mr. W. 
M’Kinnon next proposed ” The Corporation of Edin¬ 
burgh,” and acknowledged the encouragement 
always accorded to horticulture by the Town Coun¬ 
cil. He corroborated the statements of Col. Forbes 
Mackay about ribbon borders, and said that the 
Town Council might do something in the way of 
winter and spring gardening. Bailie Brown, in re¬ 
sponding, said that the shows held by the society 
supplemented the natural beauty of Edinburgh and 
served to attract visitors, which ought to be 
encouraged. The superintendent would have a free 
hand for a few years and much was expected of him. 
Mr. Methven proposed tbe health of "The Chair¬ 
man.” 
In the competitive classes open to gardeners and 
amateurs the competition for first place for a circular 
table of plants, 12 ft. in diameter, was very keen. 
Neither of tbe two groups put up were entirely 
faultless, but the premier honours fell to Mr. M. 
McIntyre, gardener to Sir Charles Tennant, Bart., 
The Glen, Innerleithen, in virtue of his group being 
the more effectively arranged, though the difference 
in points was not great. The second prize was 
worthily awarded to Mr. George Wood, gardener to 
J. Buchanan, Esq., Oswald House, Edinburgh. Mr. 
John Mitchell, gardener to J. Wilson, Esq , Bantas- 
kin, Falkirk, was awarded the first prize for his table 
of Orchids, 5 ft. by 4 ft., arranged for effect. 
Mr. M. McIntyre again took the lead in the class for 
ten forced plants, in which he is always a formidable 
antagonist to tackle In this case he was followed 
by Mr. James Bald, Canaan House, Edinburgh. For 
six plants in a similar class Mr. McIntyre was to the 
fore, beating Mr. David Matheson, Kinellan, Murray- 
field, Midlothian ; third, Mr. John Pearson, Murray- 
field. 
Mr. George Wood beat Mr. McIntyre in the class for 
six stove and greenhouse plants in bloom, distinct, 
Mr. James Bald coming in third. The order of the 
first-prize winners was reversed for four stove and 
greenhouse plants in bloom, Mr. J. Mitchell taking 
third place. For two greenhouse Rhododendrons 
the order was: first, Mr. McIntyre ; second, Mr. D. 
Kidd, Carberry Tower, Musselburgh ; third, Mr. 
James Bald. The latter followed Mr. McIntyre for 
three hardy Rhododendrons in bloom ; and likewise 
for three varieties of Azalea indica. For two varieties 
of the latter, Mr. George Wood preceded Mr. Bald, 
making Mr. McIntyre third. For four varieties of 
the same species of Azalea the order was Mr. 
J. Bald, Mr. McIntyre, and Mr. George Wood, 
respectively. Mr. McIntyre had the best specimen 
Azalea indica, and the finest six hardy Azaleas, being 
followed by Mr. J. Pearson in the latter case, as well 
as for three hardy varieties. 
Mr. McIntyre was also first for four Orchids, dis¬ 
tinct, beating Mr. J. Mitchell, and Mr. William 
Sharp, gardener to C. L. Wood, Esq., Freeland, 
Forgandenny, in this order. For one Orchid, Mr. 
Robert Laurie, Inveralmond, Cramond, took the 
lead of Mr. J, Mitchell and Mr. W. Sharp in the 
order named. 
Mr. George Wood was accorded the first prize for 
exotic Ferns, exclusive of all others for which 
prizes were offered. Mr. J. Pearson had similar 
honours for Adiantums (Maidenhairs). Mr. James 
Bald had the leading prize for a Tree Fern. Mr. 
John Staward, Belwood, had the best dwarf British 
Ferns, and was followed by Mr. A. Knight, 
Mildersneuk, Lenzie : and third, Mr. J. Cruickshank, 
6, Glen Street, Edinburgh. 
For three and six foliage plants exclusive of 
Palms, the prizes went to Mr. McIntyre, who was 
beaten, however, by Mr. Adam Knight for table 
plants. Mr. McIntyre came to the front again in 
several other classes, taking in all twenty first, eight 
second, and a few third prizes. Mr. George Wood 
was also a successf ul competitor, taking many 
prizes, and like his antagonist just named did much 
to make the show a success. 
Several classes were set apart for Hyacinths, 
Tulips, Narcissi, and other spring-flowering bulbs. 
The lead for twelve Hyacinths was taken by Mr. 
Adam Brydon, Tweedbank, Innerleithen, Peebles. 
Mr. John Meiklem, Thorn House, Johnstone, had the 
best six. Mr. Archibald M’lnnes took the lead for 
Polyanthus Narcissi, but Mr. James Bald had the 
place of honour for garden Narcissi. For Tulips, Mr. 
A. Farquhar, gardener to the Lord Advocate, Stenton, 
Dunkeld, was the winner in good company. Mr. J. 
Pearson had the best lot of spring bulbs otherwise 
than those above named. 
Cut Flowers. —Mr. John H. Cumming, gardener 
to L?dy Stewart, Grantully Castle, Aberfeldy, 
Perthshire, staged the finest collection of twenty-five 
varieties of Daffodils, representing all the sections, 
exclusive of Polyanthus Narcissi. He was followed 
by Mr. W. Cook, The Lodge, Ratho, Midlothian. 
Mr. James Bald beat Mr. Cumming for twelve 
bunches of Daffodils. Mr. George Manson, Wall- 
house, took the premier places for twenty-four and 
