86 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
January 31, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
Among the Orchids. 
The Mexican Laelias. —There are, perhaps, none of the 
simple growing Laelias mpre useful for decorative purposes than 
the winter-flowering sections, among which the chief are Laelia 
anceps, in its great variations of form and colour. There are, 
perhaps, no equals to be found either among the Laelia or 
Cattleya tribes. Coming into flower at the dullest season of 
the year renders them all the more desirable, and the graceful 
racemes renders them very useful for cut flower and decorative 
purposes. As soon as the flowers have been removed the 
plants should be placed under fairly cool and dry conditions, 
where they may obtain a perfect resting season. Little root 
moisture indeed will be found sufficient to maintain them in a 
plump condition for some weeks to come. In respect to growth 
commencing and potting requirements of this section I may be 
permitted to refer in due course. 
Laelia autumnalis and L. gouldiana are the most beautiful 
kinds for earlier work. The plants should be subjected to the 
same cultural requirements as L. anceps during the rooting- 
season. 
Cypripedimns.—The bulk of the winter flowering Cypri- 
pediums, of which C. insigne, in its myriad variations, is. the 
most important, forms such an attractive and interesting sub¬ 
ject, capable of cultivation by all amateurs in possession of a 
greenhouse, in which frost can be excluded. C. nitens, C. 
leeanum, and other cool growing hybrids should new be 
attended to for any repotting requirements'that may be neces¬ 
sary. I cannot advise the repotting of this class of plants 
annually. I am quite certain that the best flowers are pro¬ 
curable the season or second season after the plants have been 
repotted. I know full well that a great deal depends on early 
or late potting in the season; but even with early potting, I 
have generally observed that the best qualities of the flowers are 
not developed the following autumn after the plants have had 
their roots disturbed in the spring. I would also advocate early 
repotting, so that as much of the season as possible may be 
afforded to allow the plants to become re-established. 
Where the plants have become pot-bound, they should be 
carefully removed from the pot, and if it cannot be induced to 
leave the pot without unduly distressing the roots the pet 
should be carefully broken, and the pieces surrounding the 
ball of roots be picked away. All dead matter should be care¬ 
fully cut away, and after carefully picking away the decayed 
compost the plant will be. ready for its new pot. The pot 
should be cleaned and drained to about one-third its depth 
with clean broken potsherds. The compost suitable for this 
section of Cypripedimns should consist of one part fibrous loam, 
one part peat, the remaining portion being made up of good 
leaf soil, rough sand, or broken crocks sufficient to retain the 
compost in an open and porous condition. The compost should 
be pressed moderately firm about the base of the plant, and 
mounded slightly towards the centre. After repotting has been 
completed thoroughly water the plants, so that the compost 
may become wetted through. The plants should then be placed 
in their permanent quarters, where, if neatly arranged, within, 
leasonable distance of the roof glass, little difficulty will be 
foi-nd in their successful culture. 
Eoof Blinds.—As the days begin to lengthen, it is well to 
take observation as to what requirements will be necessary in 
the way of shading material in the course of the next few 
weeks under favourable conditions. It frequently occurs that 
the making of new blinds is often deferred until such time as 
f they are urgently needed, then by the time the material has been 
procured and made into blinds the foliage of some of the sub¬ 
jects inside the house has become discoloured, and they become 
unsightly objects for some weeks, if not permanently injured. I 
would advise the ordinary canvas blinds for general purposes in 
preference to the lath roller blinds which are now thought to 
be a necessity on Orchid houses. I have tried both for several 
years, and would give preference to the tiffany blinds, PI, ,T. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Carrots. —Young tender roots are so much to be preferred 
for general use to the larger specimens produced in the 
summer that no pains should be spared to keep up a supply 
during the greater part of the year, and by making frequent 
small sowings of suitable varieties during spring, summer, 
and autumn, both under glass and in the open, little difficulty 
will be found in doing so. Lose no time in making the first, 
sowing, which should either be in heated pits or on very mild 
and sweet hot-beds. Prepare a light sandy compost, which 
should be finely sifted, and allow a good depth. All the stump- 
rooted kinds are excellent for frame culture, but one of the 
best for early work is Carters Early Long Forcing, as it makes 
but very little top, quickly matures, and is of fine quality. A 
quick growth is necessary to produce Carrots at their best; 
sufficient air should be given to prevent them from drawing, 
but syringe with tepid water, and shut up early in the after¬ 
noon in cold weather. 
Thin out only moderately when large enough, for, when of 
sufficient size for cooking, these can generally be made use of, 
and are much liked when quite small. By judiciously pulling 
the largest when required the crop can be regulated, thus 
allowing them a fair distance. Those which were sown late in 
the autumn in frames or pits should now be pulled up and 
stored in sand or finely-sifted cinder ashes under a north w'all. 
These will keep in good condition till the spring sowings are 
ready. 
Potatos. —These should be planted about once a fortnight, 
either in frames or pits, to ensure keeping up a regular supply. 
Select early quick varieties, such as Harbinger, May Queen, 
and Sharpe’s Victor. Much may be accomplished by forward¬ 
ing early Potatos, when suitable conveniences are not at com¬ 
mand, by making up rough skeleton frames in a warm, shel¬ 
tered position, and protecting them, when necessary, in frosty 
weather. These may be planted at a fair depth at any time 
after this date, and give a surface dressing of long litter or 
old Mushroom-bed manure. Very early plantings in heated 
pits will now be sufficiently advanced to need earthing up ; the 
material should be prepared and warmed before applying it, 
which should be of a veiy light nature, and the work performed 
during the middle part of the day, when the weather is suitable. 
All tubers intended for future planting should be examined and 
carefully laid out on light shelves to sprout, rejecting any 
which do not show signs of starting away strongly. Very 
serious failures occurred in many parts of the country last year 
owing to the tubers refusing to grow after planting, and it. will 
be advisable not to plant from any which show signs of being 
affected in this way. I have not yet been able to account for 
them behaving in this rvay ; neither am I satisfied with any 
of the supposed causes which have appeared in print in the 
various horticultural journals. 
Asparagus.—Very little heat will now be required to bring 
this highly-esteemed vegetable to perfection ; indeed, providing 
the frames are rendered frost-proof by well covering in severe 
weather, the aid of the glass will be sufficient to promote a 
stout growth, much to be preferred to weak, quickly-forced 
heads. 
Artichokes, Jerusalem, if not already done, should be 
planted without delay whenever the weather is favourable. 
Grow on a deeply-trenched, well-manured site, and, providing 
the ground is thus treated annually, the crop may be success¬ 
fully grown on the same spot for a number of years. The new 
white variety is much to be preferred in every way to the old 
purple form. 
The Chinese Artichoke, Stachys tuberifera, should also be 
planted in good time. This is a nice addition to our vegetable ' 
list, when well cooked affording a welcome change during 
winter. These revel in a light leafy compost on a south or 
west border, and should be well supplied with water in dry 
weather. E. Beckett. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
