164 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
February 21, 1903. 
Odontoglossum crispum Cooksoniae. 
It is seldom that such a grand new variety of Odontoglossum 
as the above turns up at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural 
Society. It takes rank among the best varieties of the above 
type which we have seen, and probably hundreds of them have 
come under our notice. It is considered far and away superior 
to such as 0. c. pittianum and 0. c. Lucieni. 
The flowers are of immense size even for the queen of 
Odontoglots, and have strongly over-lapping segments. The 
sepals are ovate, slightly fringed at the margins, and white, 
with a few large brownish-purple blotches, more or less run 
together in a mass. The petals are even broader, being tri¬ 
angular, lacerated at the margins, and white, with one huge 
blotch in the centre, and smaller one® round the outside. The 
lip is heart-shaped, with a large chestnut blotch in front of the 
crest, and a few smaller ones on either side of it. 
Odontoglossum crispum2Cooksoniae. 
A small plant of it was exhibited by N. C. Cookson, Esq. 
(gardener, Mr. H. J. Chapman), Oakwood, Wylam-on-Tyne, at 
the Drill Hall, Westminster, on the 10th inst., and was awarded 
a Gold Medal and Firshclass Certificate by the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society. The Gold Medal recommended by the Orchid 
Committee is an honour that is practically unqiue, so far as we 
remember, for a new variety of Orchid. We remember that 
a Silver Banksian Medal, as well as a First-class Certificate, was 
recommended for Laeliocattleya digbyano-Mossiae, when first 
exhibited on May 14th, 1889, but we believe the council would 
not agree to the recommendation. In any case, it is veiy rare 
that such a handsome variety now turns up amongst the im¬ 
portations of 0. crispum, which is, nevertheless, capable of 
furnishing surprises from time to time. 
Rhododendron nobleanum. 
Although a lovely Rhododendron, this plant possesses one 
great fault which makes it unsuitable for outdoor work except 
in the wanner parts of the British Isles. This fault is the 
time of flowering, for, if the weather is mild, flowers begin to 
open about the end of January, and about the middle of 
February, if there has been no severe frost, it is in full flower! 
At this time of year, however, frosts are to be expected, and it 
usually happens, about London at any rate, that one night’s 
frost spoils most of the bloom. If, however, a sharp spell of 
frost occurs in January, it keeps the flowers back, and they do 
not open until the end of February or March, and are then 
sometimes seen at their best. At Kew a number of large 
bushes are growing in the Rhododendron Dell, and these are 
well set with buds which are just (February 5th) bursting into 
flower, and if frost keeps away for another fortnight, a fine 
display may be expected. This is one of the oldest of the 
garden hybrids, having been raised many years ago by crossing 
R. arboreum with R. caucasicum. The blood of the former is 
more in evidence than the latter, and R. arboreum influence is 
not difficult to detect in the silvery-brown under-side of the 
leaves, and in the deep rose-coloured flowers. It is an excellent 
variety for forcing, as with little trouble it can be got into 
flower for Christmas. If subjected to much heat the flowers 
come almost white ; if, however, gentle heat onlv is given, 
much of the colour is retained. W. D. 
Lecture on the Culture of Grapes. 
The third of the series of Monday lectures in course of de¬ 
livery at Hindhead Free Church Hall was given by Mr. Alex¬ 
ander Donaldson, of Heather Bank (Mr. Grover’s new resi¬ 
dence), where vineries are in course of construction. Mr. 
Donaldson won the Banksian Gold Medal of the Royal Hor¬ 
ticultural Society in 1872 as the exhibitor of thirty-three kinds 
of Grapes grown by him at Latimer, Bucks, the seat of Lord 
Chesham. The' medal was handed round to the audience by 
the chairman, the Rev. C. B. Stallworthy. On the obverse 
was a beautifully-executed head of Sir Joseph Banks, bom 1743, 
died 1820, and on the reverse was Mr. Donaldson’s name and 
date of presentation. 
A part of the lecture consisted of a list and characterisation 
of the kind of Grapes above referred to, but the principal part 
took the form of an account of Mr. Donaldson’s experiences at 
some of the important vineries in Scotland and in England, 
where he had found employment. Much useful information was 
given as to different methods of planting, training, and as to 
treatment of neglected houses. 
Very interesting was the speaker’s narration of how, at four¬ 
teen, years' of age, he was taken by his father to see the vineries 
at Scone Palace, and how, at a day’s notice, he entered upon a 
willing apprenticeship of four years, working first in the kitchen 
and flower gardens, and later amongst the vines. One of his 
earliest pleasures was that of carrying Grapes to the Queen. 
When on the point of entering the Royal Botanical Gardens at 
Edinburgh he was offered the superintendency of the extensive 
vineries at Cullen House, the residence of the Earl of Seafield. 
In later years, while at Latimer, he had a visit from Sir Joseph 
Paxton (designer of the Crystal Palace), who complimented him 
on the management of the vines, and invited him to his place 
at Rock Hill, Sydenham. Some interesting facts were given 
as to competitions in years past in Edinburgh and London. 
In Mr. Donaldson’s opinion, the high-water mark, both in re¬ 
spect of quality and weight, was reached many year’s ago. Two 
bunches won great renown at one of the Edinburgh shows, one 
grown at Arkleton and the other at Eskbank, Dalkeith, weigh¬ 
ing 2 d lb. lo oz., and 26 lb. 4 oz respectively. Mr. Stallworthy 
thought Mr. Donaldson was to be envied the privilege of having 
added so much sweetness to the world during his many years 
of service. The Grape was, perhaps, the most striking illus¬ 
tration of what cultivation and discipline accomplished for- 
living things. What in our climate was little more than a use¬ 
less being became', under the hand and eye and purpose of 
painstaking men, one of the most delightful, serviceable, and 
beautiful of fruits. 
