156 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
February 21, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. The Kitchen Garden. 
Among the Orchids. 
Seed Sowing-—There is some difference of opinion amongst 
Orchid growers as to the best time at which to sow Orchid 
seed. Some advocate sowing immediately after the seed vessel 
is ripe, irrespective of the time of the year. I cannot recom¬ 
mend sowing at seasons when there is a possibility of the seed 
lying dormant for an indefinite period, which must necessarily 
occur when the seed is sown in or just before the dullest months 
of the year. I have found also that when seed has been sown 
and germinated satisfactorily as early as September, there often 
occurs a difficulty in preventing the tiny seedlings from dis¬ 
appearing, from the excess of moisture and want of light that 
must naturally occur through the closing and early weeks of 
the year. I would prefer always to thoroughly diy and ripen 
any seed pods that may burst after the first week in August, 
and store the seed away, deferring sowing until February, 
when the conditions are gradually becoming more favourable 
to speedy germination. 
At one time we used to consider we made good progress if 
we could secure seedlings sufficiently large to prick off in a year. 
With a better understanding of their requirements, combined 
with better facilities for quicker germination, we are able to 
procure in a few weeks what used to take at least a year. 
In fact there was a seedling Calanthe shown in the Drill Hall 
on February 10th which was fertilised in December, 1901. 
The seed was sown on March 24tli, 1902, and the plant ex¬ 
panded its first flower early in January of the present year. 
Although we know Calanthes, under favourable conditions, 
make remarkable progress, the plant above mentioned is suffi¬ 
cient to illustrate the progress now being made by most of our 
modem hybridists, wlm in the near future will completely 
revolutionise the system which for many years was considered 
to be the only and right way to raise and grow Orchids from 
seed. 
Methods of Sowing. — There are various and many ways 
advocated by hybridists of the present day as to the best 
methods of inducing the different generic species of Orchids to 
germinate rapidly and satisfactorily. It is generally agreed, I 
believe, that the best way to- sow the terrestrial and semi¬ 
terrestrial kinds is on the pots of plants belonging to the same 
genera. Phaius, Calanthes and Cypripediums are certainly 
best sown on the surface of the potting compost of plants be¬ 
longing to their own kinds. Cymbidiums, Zygopetalams and 
Masdevallias are not so particular as to the seed-bed, but require 
a close', moist substance to induce them to- germinate satisfac¬ 
torily. 0dontoglossums, although slov r when soAvn on their own, 
pots, germinate fairly satisfactorily, but the germination is con¬ 
siderably hastened when the seed is sown on some moisture- 
retaining surface and placed in a warm house or propagating 
frame. 
Cattleyas, Laelias and Dendrobiums germinate almost as 
freely as Mustard and Cress, on almost any surface, providing 
the requirements for quick germination are afforded. Pots 
filled with cocoa-nut fibre; pieces of deal sawn asunder and 
placed in pots with the rough side upwards ; pieces of flannel, 
canvas or calico., stretched across the surface of the pots, and 
chopped bracken roots, mixed with a little leaf soil and peat, 
are advocated as the best surfaces on which to sow the seeds. 
But, as stated above, it matters little what surface is used, 
providing the atmospheric conditions are suitable, and that due 
regard is paid to careful watering. There have been in the past 
thousands of seedlings destroyed through being washed away 
by the careless use of the water-can, or, when dipping, floated 
from their resting-place when carelessly dipped. The seed thus 
floated into a tank or pad is often picked up by the plants 
watered or dipped afterwards, and they are often found ger¬ 
minating on plants where no seed had intentionally been sown. 
No record of parentage being possible under such conditions, a 
great deal of interest is withdrawn in the cultivation of the 
- plants. H. J. 
Onions which have been raised in boxes under glass will 
now. need pricking off into others, using a nice fibrous and 
moderately light compost for the purpose. Take care that this 
is not used in a wet and pasty condition, and it should be 
warmed to the temperature of the house or pit in which they 
are growing. The boxes should be well drained and sufficient 
rough material placed over the crocks to prevent the soil mixing 
with it. The compost should be made thoroughly firm; and 
prick out the seedlings about 21, in. apart all ways. It is 
extremely important that the young plants are carefully 
handled at this period, and that they receive as little check as 
possible. Every inducement should be given them to start 
away freely, but at the same' time, too high a temperature is 
equally fatal. Yineries or peach houses which are being started 
will suit them admirably, providing they are assigned a light 
position near the glass. Sprinkle overhead several times during 
the day with tepid water until they start away into active 
growth, after which remove to a cooler house or pit, and keep 
them strong and sturdy till the time comes round for planting 
in open quarters. 
Unfortunately, last season’s English-saved seed is germinat¬ 
ing very poorly, which was to be expected after such a sunless 
autumn; consequently extra pains will have to be bestowed on 
the young plants by way of nursing them along to ensure good 
bulbs this year. Everyone interested in high-class vegetable 
culture and Avh> appreciates large Onions should certainly* raise 
a portion under glass, as by so doing good bulbs are ensured 
and will repay the little extra trouble expended on them. At 
the same time, I do not advise depending entirely on these, 
as the keephrg qualities cannot always be relied on when com¬ 
pared Avith those sown irr open quarters, especially so in Avet, 
cold seasons. 
By the end of the present month or first Aveek in March, .pro¬ 
viding the ground is in a Avorkable and suitable condition, the 
seed should be sown in drills 1 ft. apart, and this year sow 
pretty liberally about half as thick again as usual when the 
harvest of the seed has been good. The ground, Avhich has 
been well trenched and thoroughly manured, should be forked 
over a few days before sowing, and on a fine diy day rake 
down finely with a Avooden rake before drawing the drills. Give 
a fair dressing of soot, lime, and wood ashes mixed in equal pro¬ 
portions after sowing, and on light soils make thoroughly firm 
by treading; rake down and leave in a neat and tidy* manner. 
Leeks Avhich were soAvn in boxes should be pricked off into 
others, putting them in a. good depth. The great secret in good 
Leek-culture is to get a good length of blanched, stem, and this 
can only be done by* commencing early*, and much may be 
accomplished in this Avay by dibbling the young seedlings in 
deeply. Make another serving in boxes or pans and raise under 
glass in a gentle heat. 
Vegetable Marrows. -Few things are more highly appreciated 
than early fruits of these; yet, strange to say, Marrows are not 
brought forward under glass nearly as much as they deseive, 
considering the little trouble they incur to bring them to per¬ 
fection quite early in May in an ordinary frame on the mildest 
hotbed; and the same plants, after haA*ing produced abundance 
of fruit early, by removing the lights and frames when safe to 
do so will be in full bearing by the tune the plants soaati in 
the ordinary way are put out, and by* giving a good mulching 
Avill continue to bear prolifically till late autumn. Sow the seed 
singly in 60-pots in a brisk heat, pot on into- 6-in. pots when 
ready, and plant out into nicely-wanned soil in frames. The 
varieties I have found to 1 answer’ best for this purpose are: 
Moore’s Cream, Sutton’s Perfection—new and excellent—and 
Improved Custard ; this last sets most freely, and when cut in 
a young state, is of splendid quality. 
Rhubarb.- —This can now be easily brought forward by plac¬ 
ing deep tubs over the crowns, and will be found to be much 
superior in flavour to that which is forced in a strong heat. 
Cabbage .—The early plantings have made very free growth 
