THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 17. 1903. 
36 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
Among the Orchids. 
Imported Orchids. —New importations of Orchids are arriv¬ 
ing earlier than usuail this season, and by the time these lines 
will have appeared in print many of the kinds of the deciduous 
section of Dendroid urns will have become distributed about' 
the country through the agencies of the weekly auction sales 
and by importers and nurserymen who make special features 
of annually importing quantities of these plants. The old 
favourite, D. nobile, is one of the first to arrive. 
Among the importations of recent years, considerable variety 
has appeared, andl while in the majority of cases the varieties 
thus obtained have no particular claim over the older varieties 
that have been for many years in cultivation, there are a few 
that are equal to the best of the dark-coloured kinds, and the 
pure white D. n. virginal© stands alone in it® predominance 
over the previously known kinds. The habit of growth also 1 
of recent importations is so distinct and so much more robust 
than we used to get in the older kinds that it seems to indicate 
that the plants now imported are from a 'totally different dis¬ 
trict from ‘which they were previously collected. This, no 
doubt, accounts somewhat also for the more varied charac¬ 
teristics found to be' contained in recent years’ importations. 
There is very little difficulty in establishing D. nobile. 
Potting the Plants.— As soon as the plants are procured 
they should be carefully gone over, and all decayed matter cut 
away from the base of the bulbs and about the roots. The 
pots or baskets used should be only sufficiently large to contain 
the plants comfortably. There is nothing so injurious to the 
deciduous section of Dendrobiums as too great quantity of pot¬ 
ting compost about the base ; therefore the receptacles should 
be well drained. The compost should consist of two parts 
living sphagnum moss, chopped moderately fine, the remaining 
portion being made up of fibrous peat and partly decayed 
chopped leaves. Where the pseudo-bulbs are large, and likely 
to cause difficulties of retaining them in the pots, a stick suffi¬ 
ciently -strong to secure the plant should be placed as near the 
centre as possible, and driven down through the drainage, or 
made firm by the drainage, by placing sufficient around to 
retain it in position. After the compost has been pressed 
moderately firm about the base of the plant, the psuedo-builbs 
may be secured in position as desired. 
Treatment of the Plants after Potting.— Jt is not desir¬ 
able to place the plants into the hottest house as soon as pro¬ 
cured. It is far better to put them into the temperature of 
the intermediate house, giving them but little root moisture 
until growth commences, after which they may be removed to 
warmer conditions. After the growth gets well away, more 
liberal conditions and 1 every encouragement are necessary that 
will tend to produce rapid growth. D. aureuin, with its 
fragrant, violet-scented flowers, will also be among the new 
arrivals. It should be treated in a similar may to D. nobile. 
Dbndrobium wardianum.— There is no species of Dendrobium 
more ‘worthy of cultivation than this lovely and well-known 
kind. It is annually imported in large quantities, but. it is 
one of the Orchids which, although cultivated in such a manner 
that it gives every satisfaction for a few years, it then com¬ 
mences to deteriorate, and soon dies'. There are some place® 
I know in which the plants have been found to thrive satis^ 
factorily for many years, but the exception is the rule. 
The Cause of Failure to Grow D. wardianum is perhaps a 
difficulty to most growers, but there, is one thing I might men¬ 
tion, perhaps, that may be of advantage for future treatment. 
Those familiar with the cultivation of D. wardianum will have 
observed that often before the. developing growth -has reached 
maturity a second growth will be advancing from the base. 
This is a characteristic of the plant in its native habitat. Col¬ 
lectors tell us that they often advance from 6 in. to 14 in. 
before the diy season sets in. Frequently these growths suffer 
to the extent of losing their lower leaves, the point only appear¬ 
ing to retain vitality; but as soon as the rainy season com¬ 
mences they recommence growth again, and soon develop 
their normal state. Many growers, I am aware, have been 
alarmed by this appearance of secondary growth, and by treat¬ 
ing the plants to encourage the new groWth, the plants have 
suffered from want of rest., and unsatisfactory results have been 
obtained. Imported plants of D. wardianum do- best where 
they can be suspended. Similar potting requirements to that 
previously mentioned above will suit this species .also. 
H. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Peas.— Every gardener should endeavour to produce green 
Peas at the earliest possible moment, and means should be 
taken to forward these without delay. It is not all by any 
means that have the opportunity of doing so under glass, but, 
when possible, it will be well to devote a portion to their pro¬ 
duction, either by sowing suitable varieties in cold pits, cool 
orchard houses, or in 8 in. and 10 in. pots. These, if brought 
along gently without severe forcing, will yield a good supply, 
and well repay the trouble incurred. Even where sufficient 
glass is not at command, much may be done by sowing the 
seed at this season in large pots, and nurse them along in cold 
frames. These in early spring can be plunged in a sheltered, 
sunny position in the garden, and. if slightly protected in case 
of severe weather, will prove to be far in advance of those 
planted out. For this purpose I prefer those of medium 
height to dwarfer kinds, such as Early Morn, Gradus, and the 
new variety named after myself. I have proved each of these 
to be excellent, for such treatment. When in full bearing, 
the plants should be liberally supplied with manure water. 
The pots should be well drained. Use a good fibrous compost, 
strictly avoid overcrowding, but the seed should be sown just 
as thick again as required, and thinned to the desired number 
when large enough. 
Broad Beans should be treated in exactly the same way, 
when these may be picked fully three weeks in advance of those 
grown in the open. Like Peas, these resent hard forcing at 
any period of their growth, and, when in flower, abundance 
of air must be given, and the points of the growth pinched 
after sufficient flowers show. I prefer the large, long-podded 
kinds, such as Leviathan, to the smaller kinds. 
French Beans.— These should be sown every fortnight 
where a constant supply is expected, 7 in. pots being best for 
the purpose. At this season these will require a brisk, moist 
temperature, and afford them all the light possible-. Syringe 
them twice daily in bright weather to ward off attacks of red 
spider. Ne Plus Ultra and Canadian Wonder are both ex¬ 
cellent kinds for producing good crops. During winter we 
depend on the latter, its strong constitution standing it in good 
stead through the short days. 
To matos.— Winter fruiting plants will need much care to 
keep them in a healthy and fruitful condition at this season; 
each flower should be fertilised carefully about midday as it 
opens, and the atmospheric condition of the houses kept dry, 
admitting a little air whenever the weather will allow, or in 
all probability in a damp, stagnant moisture disease will 
occur. Never water until the plants thoroughly need it; no 
harm will accrue, even if the foliage flags slightly. Always 
use water of the same temperature as the house. Plants 
which were sown early last month ought now to be strong 
and sturdy and well established in 60-sized pots. These will 
