178 
7 HE GARDENING WORLD . 
February 28, 1903. 
WORK OF THE WEEK. 
Among the Orchids. 
Cattleya Trianaei. —This beautiful species in its many and 
varied forms is one of the most useful of its genus. Coming 
into dower as it does often early in January, and where grown 
in quantity, they keep up a succession of expanding dowers 
until the end of April, affording a good display during a period 
at which dowers generally are scarce, and they are therefore 
the more appreciated. It is not the most desirable Cattleya 
for cultivation in districts affected by London fogs, as the 
dowers are almost annually injured, and are frequently de¬ 
stroyed by these unfavourable visitations, but in favourable 
situations there is no species of Cattleya that is more 
tractable to cultivation. At the present season of the year 
dowers last in perfection for a considerable period if allowed 
to remain on the plants. It is desirable, therefore, that after 
they have been expanded a reasonable period they should be 
removed, so that undue stress may not be placed on the pseudo- 
bulbs. Over-dowering of plants is one of the greatest mis¬ 
takes in the cultivation of Orchids. Although the ill effects 
may not be apparent at the time of the decay of the blossoms, 
it will surely be observed in a diminished growth the following 
season. Plants that commence deterioration in this way rarely 
regain their normal conditions, but more frequently gradually 
diminish annually and die a lingering and unsightly death. 
Potting. —Where plants have passed out of dower or have 
had their dowers removed, they should now be attended to 
for any repotting requirements that may be necessary. Where 
the material has decayed and become sour it is advisable to 
turn the plant out of its pot, or where the roots adhere to the 
sides of the pot it is better to break the pot and gently remove 
it from the roots. 
After this has been done, carefully pick away all the old 
compost, then cut away any dead roots or back bulbs that will 
not be advantageous to the plant. The pot selected should 
only be sufficiently large to contain the plant comfortably. 
Place a large crock or two at the bottom, then dll in with a 
compost consisting of two parts leaf-soil, passed through a |-in. 
riddle, the dne being removed by a riddle of dner mesh. The 
remaining portion of the compost should consist of about equal 
portions of dbrous peat, sand, broken crocks and chopped 
sphagnum. This should be pressed moderately drm, and the 
surface should be covered with a layer of sphagnum. Water 
thoroughly as soon as the plants have been repotted, after 
which water will have to be afforded with considerable dis¬ 
cretion. Spraying with the syringe or rose on the water-pot 
will generally be found sufficient to meet the moisture require¬ 
ments of the plants. 
Large specimens should not be turned out of their pots, to 
which they have become attached by their roots. It is a much 
more desirable system to pick out as much of the decaying 
matter as possible from about the roots, replace with clean 
drainage and new material, keep the surface moist, and little 
ill effects will be apparent. Water always with rain-water. 
Where hard water is applied the mo-ss soon dies, and decay, 
thus commenced, quickly passes into the remaining potting 
compost, resulting quickly in undesirable conditions at the 
roots ; and there is no remedy but- to remove thersour compost 
by again repotting the plant affected. II. J. 
The Kitchen Garden. 
Seldom has the ground been in a better state for working 
and seed-sowing than it is at the present time; and though 
the temptations may be great for getting in the various crops, 
I would strongly advise doing so cautiously, as, no doubt, there 
are rocks ahead of us, and in all probability we shall experience 
some rough weather during the next month. Of course, much 
depends on the locality, soil, and situation as to how far one 
may venture, but too- much haste, especially on exposed posi¬ 
tions, where the ground is cold, badly framed, and of a stiff 
tenacious character, often ends in disappointment and failure 
for after germination has taken place, unless the young 
growths can start- away freely, a severe check will often 
prove fatal, besides being quickly ravaged by vermin. Small 
and frequent sowings are to be recommended instead of 
pinning one’s faith- on large breadths of many kinds of our earlv 
vegetables. 
Spinach should be sown in rows 1 ft. or 15 in. apart on a 
wall border'. Choose one of the new and improved round¬ 
leaved kinds. After repeated trials, I have found none to equal 
" The Carter,” a most excellent variety producing an abundance 
of large, fleshy leaves and is slow in running to seed. This is 
also a capital variety for growing in cold pits or frames. Often¬ 
times Spinach is much in request in many households, and in 
some seasons in many districts it is difficult to meet the demand 
through the spring months, but it is surprising what a large 
quantity can be relied on from a few lights, and will often tide 
one over the difficulty. 
Winter Spinach has stood wonderfully in many parts, and 
on warm, light ground has yielded plentifully all through the 
winter, but with many who are in a less favoured position, 
though the plants are alive and healthy, very little prom-ess 
will have been made, and every inducement should now he 
afforded it to start away as speedily as possible into active 
growth. The surface soil should be kept constantly stirred 
with the Dutch hoe on fine days, and apply slight dustings of 
fresh soot every ten days. 
Turnips —Early, well-grown bulbs are always sure to be 
much appreciated, and with the new and improved forms, we 
are in a much better position to produce them than our fore¬ 
fathers were; but unless these can be quickly grown they are 
of little value except for flavouring. The first supplies should 
always be brought forward in cold frames—any old lights will 
suffice. I have depended on Carter’s Long Forcing for some 
years, and I cannot speak too highly in its favour. It quicklv 
matures, lasts a long time in good condition, and the quality 
is of the very best. Avoid overcrowding the plants, and air 
freely, especially when the weather is balmy. I have not. found 
this variety so successful in the open ground, and I prefer the 
Early Milans for outside work, but only small sowings should 
be. made at the time, as these require to be used quite young'. 
Apply a good dressing of soot, lime, and wood ashes in equal 
proportions after sowing. 
Carrots. —Make a small sowing of the early varieties on a 
south border, but before doing so break up the soil as finely 
.as possible, and apply a good dressing of fresh soot. Attend 
to the thinning out of the early sowings under glass, dust over 
with soot, syringe and shut up early, and keep the soil stirred 
frequently between the rows to promote free growth. 
Cauliflowers which have been wintered in frames should now 
be thoroughly hardened, removing the lights entirely, and only 
replace them when the weather demands. A few of the largest 
plants should be pdanted out in sheltered positions and pro¬ 
tected in some way, hand-lights- for choice ; but, failing these, 
inverted flower-pots should be placed over them at night when 
the weather is severe; spruce-boughs also make excellent, 
material for sheltering them against cold winds and frost. The 
foot of a south wall is an ideal place for for-warding these, and 
where they are easily protected. Lift and plant with a good 
ball of soil, and put them in quite up to the heart. Attend to 
the pricking out of seedling plants, and make another sowing 
of Autumn Giant in a cool house. 
Lettuce. —Autumn-sown plants may now be safely planted in 
a warm position, allowing them a distance of 10 in. all ways. 
Plant- a small portion either in pits or frames if space allows. 
These will quickly come into use with the assistance of glass. 
Early spring-sown seedlings - of some of the Cabbage variet ies 
force readily and make splendid salading material. Prick out 
into boxes about- 4 in. apart, and grow on in a pit or- orchard 
house which is being started, when these can be cut in the same 
way as Mustard and Cress, 
