324 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
April 11, 1903. 
A. Hendersonii, A. Leichtlini, A. deltoidea grandiflora, A. rosea, 
Ilo or is Little Gem, Phlox setacea, P. s. Nelsoni, P. s. verrna, 
Rianunculus specious plenus, Sanguinaria canadensis, Anemone 
angulosa, Anemone Hepatica alba, A. H. caerulea, A. . ■ 111 ) ^^ 1, 
and their double varieties; Myosotis alpestns grandiflora, M. 
a, m alba, M. disitiflora, Erythroniuni Dens-Gams, Gentiana 
acaulis, G. tenia, Lamdum maculiatum aureum, Spergula pro- 
lilei-a aurea, and Yaleriiaam Phu aurea. 
Where permanent carpets and designs are aimed at there is a 
varied choice from many suitable varieties of Saxifragas, feed urns, 
Sempervivums, Thymus, Cerastium, Antemnana, Arenana, 
Silene, Veronica, Arabis, Heaths, etc..and last, buit not least 
varieties of Helleborus niger and H. Oiientalis; we have seen a 
bed of these made in various ways to look beautiful all the year 
round by associating .with them such things as Iris, < .ladioli, 
Montbretias. A charming effect was. made with Gladiolus Goi- 
yiillei, The Bride, and (also Monthretia rosea. In fact, there is no 
excuse for the flower garden looking dull at this season, we ha\ e 
such a wealth of foliage and flowering plants. Besides those 
enumerated we have the indispensable Wallflower, variegated 
Kale. Especially meritorious is Albino, a. white variety, best 
described as a snowy Pyramid, giant strains of Auricxila, golden 
and yellow, being our favourite. The same might be said pi 
Polyanthus, Primulas, etc. 
A word might also be said on naturalising sprung flowering 
bulbs in grass plots,sloping banks and borders. The writer has 
some vivid recollection of some beautiful landscapes, where 
Narcissus, Snowdrops, Crocus, Scilla, Chionodora, etc., were un¬ 
sparingly used in a careless fashion, straight lines and stilt 
arrangements being avoided in order to get natural results, lhe 
planting of Narcissus in this way has much to commend it. the 
flowers are always clean in rainy weather, when those planted in 
t-Vie borders are bespattered with mud. An occasional dusting ol 
soot or lime keeps, their admirer the slug at a safe distance. 
James Bethel. 
Westwood Gardens, Newport-on-Tay. 
Dog's-tooth Violets. 
(Erythroniuni Dens-canis.) 
As these lovely spring flowers are once more greeting us with 
Their twofold beauty of flower and leaf, a few notes upon them 
may not be unwelcome to many readers. Although the flowers 
were 1 quite insignificant (which they certainly are not), the Dog s- 
tooth Violets would he well worth cultivating for their foliage 
alone it being generally conceded that this is quite equal to the 
best-foliaged Cypripediums ; and I am convinced that had they 
to be grown under glass like the Cypripeiium, they would receive 
more attention than they do. 
There are only three or four species at all well known, but 
there are numerous varieties in cultivation. I see that one 
Continental firm catalogues no less than twenty-four dis¬ 
tinct varieties. The following are' the better-known sorts : 
Erythromium americanum has broad, lance-shaped leaves, 
spotted with a lovely brown, and is distinguished by its yellow 
flowers ; E. Dens-canis, or common Dog’s-tooth Violet, has brown- 
blotched leaves, the workings being less distinct th^n in the pre¬ 
vious species, the flowers being purple; E. D. c. album is the 
same as the type, but with pure white flowers ; E. D. c. a. major 
is a great improvement on this, both in length of stalk and size 
of flower ; E, giganteum is not so well known as it deserves to 
be. The foliage is much the same as E. americanum, better if 
anything ; the flowers are a pale straw, with a deep orange 
centre 
If crown in the mixed bed or border without any special atten¬ 
tion, they only yield poor results, but well repay a little special 
care If grown in the above positions they should be planted 
in good-sized clumps, as thus planted they have a better effect, 
and can thus get a little special attention more conveniently. 
If one wished to form a collection, a low rockery would be 
admirably adapted for the purpose, mixing them up with the 
other subjects, one variety to a “pocket..’ My own plan, how¬ 
ever, is to grow them in beds, the results being m every way 
highly satisfactory. . ■■ 
The proper time to plant is just after the foliage has died 
down. The ground should be trenched or deeply du^, and a 
considerable quantity of some rich light materials well incor¬ 
porated with it. Some recommend a proportion of peat for this 
purpose, and those who can procure it readily may use it with 
advantage, but it is not by any means necessary. Leaf mould 
sand, old potting soil, wood ashes, and road scrapings are all 
useful for this purpose, and may be used according to circuim 
stances. The bulbs (resembling a dog’s tooth, as the name of 
the plant indicates) should be planted from two to three inches 
deep. Beyond stirring the surface of the bed and keeping it clean, 
nothing will be required the first season, but after this they will be 
greatly benefited by an annual top-dressing of some rich, light 
compost, similar to that advocated for making up the beds or 
clump®. This top-dressing is best given in early spring before 
growth commences. -They can be mildly forced, either in pots or 
by placing a frame over a bed. Chas. Comfort. 
A Few Stove Orchids. 
Orchids are an interesting group of plants, both from a 
botanical and horticultural point ot view. Anyone who has a 
stove would be well repaid if lie commenced to grow a few, even 
at the expense oif throwing away some of the common Crotons or 
Dracaenas. If given careful attention, kept clean, and watered 
at the right time, they should thrive, and be a credit to the one 
who has charge: of the house. I have seen many looking infinitely 
better when grown in the stove than those in the general collec¬ 
tion. AnoectO'chilus, Phaius, Calanthes, and Peristeria are 
examples. 
Anoectochili are plants of great beauty, attaining -a height of 
about four inches ; the foliage is the only part that attracts our 
admiration, the flowers being small and inconspicuous. 
A suitable compost consists of sphagnum, peat, broken crocks, 
and a little sand, well mixed together. Small pots shout1 be used, 
as these 1 plants make little root ; thorough drainage is necessary. 
Propagation is effected by cutting the small rhizomes into pieces 
just below a joint, placing each one. in a single pot. Six or 
eight plants should be placed in a large shallow pan, filling the 
sjiaces betwen the pots with moss, and arranging a bell-glass 
over the whole. Wipe off every morning the accumulated 
moisture from the interior of the glass, and slightly raise it 
during the day, or the plants will become spindly, and damp off 
as the stems are thick and fleshy. Give all the light possible, 
but never allow the sun’s rays to reach them, as they are shade- 
loving plants. Plenty of water will be required through the 
summer months, and when flowers appear the season of rest will 
be near at hand ; remove to the cool end of the stove, and 
diminish the amount of water, just keeping them moist being 
sufficient. , 
Sponge the plants occasionally for thnps and red spider, or tne 
leaves will be disfigured. Anoectoehilus (Macodes) Petola is one 
of the easiest to cultivate. . . 
The various forms of Phaius are very robust terrestiial 
Orchids, and succeed in a compost of fibrous loam, rough peat, 
and chopped sphagnum ; and they are greatly benefited if given 
an occasional dose of liquid manure. Potting should take place 
in the- spring, when new growth commences ; and at this peiiocl 
they may be increased by dividing the bulbs. During their 
resting season do not allow them to become quite dry. feome 
really flne specimens may be grown of P. grandifolius and r. 
Wallichii. w . 
Thunias {included under Phaius) require a little ditteieni 
treatment ; they should be repotted about the third week m 
March, or when signs of new growth are apparent. Give them 
the lightest position, and water very sparingly at first, 
increasing the supply as growth advances. After they fiave 
flowered the leaves will begin to decay, when water can be wi i 
held, allowing them to take their annual rest m a dry house, 
where the temperature does not fall below 50 I. 1. a a, 
Bensonae. and T. Veitchiana are about the best to grow. 
Peristeria is a small genus, P. elata, “ the Dove Oichid, ■ in - 
the one generally grown. It is a very interesting plant on 
account of the white flowers, somewhat resembling a dove. -■ 
compost of loam, leaf soil, peat, and sand will suit it admiraDiy 
giving plenty of light and water during the tune of growth. 
After growth is completed, it must be kept dry, or the resu vr 
be no flowers. Give an occasional syringe overhead to prevent 
the leaves from shrivelling. __ 
Calanthes are very showy subjects, and should be grow ) 
all, especially those who reside a distance from the metiop , 
and other large towns, where they are out of the reach of blaCK 
fogs, which is so detrimental to the good colouring of Calan ■ 
Two good articles have lately appeared in the G. VV-, s 
will only emphasise that no water he given for severe w 
after potting, damping between the pots two or three times . 
being all that is necessary. ^ • ■ A - NST 
* * The prize last week in the Readers’ Competition was 
awarded to ‘‘W. H. W.” for his article on “Early Arums 
without forcing,” page 303. 
