.April 18, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
moving of all kinds of evergreen trees and shrubs as soon as 
possible; though some seasons this may be safely continued 
well into May, it is. worthy of note that everything is in a veiy 
forward condition this year, in most plants quite a fortnight 
earlier than usual. A. E. Thatcher. 
Aldenham House Gardens, Elstree. 
Among the Orchids. 
Dendrobium Phalaenopsis. —Some twenty years ago only 
>ne plant of this, beautiful species was to be found in cultiva- 
:ion. Now, under its more recent name of D. P. schroderia- 
lum, it has become one of the most popular species in cultiva- 
:ion. It well deserves even, greater popularity than it at 
nesent possesses, for it is practically an indispensable plant 
n places where there is a, great demand for cut flowers during 
lie autumn months, just at the season when the supply of out- 
iide flowering plants ceases. It is not a, species that can he 
egarded altogether as a subject only to. be grown in Orchid 
.ollections, for there is no plant deserving of greater attention 
from the point of utility, and as it can be cultivated most 
successfully in an ordinary stove or a house in which there is 
mabundance of beat and moisture during the summer months, 
with little or no shading, such as might be found existing in 
i Fig house or some such conditions, where these are pro- 
urable, its culture is assured, providing due consideration is 
;iven to 1 the resting season, which is through the winter 
months, the plants then requiring a temperature of 60 deg., 
ndonly sufficient root moisture to. retain normal conditions of 
lie pseudo-bulbs. 
Procuring the Plants. —The plants, of late years have been 
nnually imported in large quantities. These have been dis- 
■ibuted through the auction sale 1 rooms, and by the importers, 
nd, being procurable for a modest outlay, there should be no 
vcuse against their more extensive cultivation. 
Potting Imported Plants. —The larger pieces are best 
.lited by being placed in pots. The smaller ones should he 
otted in shallow pans, so that they may be suspended near the 
oof glass. Oare must be observed to see that the pots or pans 
sed should not be too large. Dendro-biums of any kind resent 
bulk of material about, their roots ; there are none that resent 
more so than D. Phalaenopsis. The receptacles, therefore, 
lould only be sufficiently large to. contain the plants com- 
irtably, and ample drainage should be used. 
Repotting of Established Plants. —Plants that have been 
i cultivation for a. year or two do not. start into growth so 
niv as fresh imported plants. The golden rule for repotting 
rcliids when new roots are being emitted from the recently- 
eveloped or developing growths, applies here. As soon as 
ie new growth advances an inch or two the new roots appear, 
nd if repotting is attended to. at this stage, the new roots, soon 
et hold of the new compost, and the. plant becomes re-estab- 
Ished with little or no apparent ill effects. 
The potting compost, both for established and imported 
lants, should consist of two parts fibrous brown peat, the re- 
laining compost consisting of partly decayed Oak leaves and 
ihagnum moss, with sufficient sand or broken potsherds to 
tain a porous condition of the compost.. Press the material 
hnly about the roots, and finish the surface with a layer of 
'hagnum moss. 
Watering —The compost should be thoroughly wetted 
rough as soon as repotting or top dressing has been done, 
ireful watering will be necessary until the roofs get well hold 
the new material, after which an abundant supply of water 
11 be necessary, and the atmosphere must be retained in a 
ghly humid condition. These conditions are best, supplied 
hot, dry weather, by frequently syringing the plants over- 
ad, closing the house early in the afternoon and allowing the 
n to raise the temperature to. a high degree. Rain-water 
culd always be used when syringing plants overhead. Where 
rd water is used, when dry, the foliage generally displays the 
iite deposit, which causes an undesirable appearance very 
fficult of removal by sponging. H. .T. 
The Stove and Greenhouse. 
Azaleas.— As, these go out of flower the faded blossoms 
should be cut off with a, pair of sharp, scissors., and any re¬ 
potting or top-dressing necessary performed without delay, in 
oi dei that the plants may be placed in a. growing - atmosphere of 
55 deg. to 60 deg., to, make new growth before placing outdoors 
foi the summer months. The compost, should consist only of 
peat and sand, and be used in a moist state. Good drainage, 
well placed, is absolutely essential in the cultivation of these 
and other hard-wooded plants. A good watering should be 
given immediately after potting, and see that enough is given 
to permeate the whole, body of soil. After this the syringe, will 
keep the plants sufficiently moist for a week or two. Careful 
v a ter mg at all times is an, important factor in the successful 
cultivation of all bard-wooded plant®. 
Primulas. —Some seed of the Chinese type may he sown 
now it the plants are. wanted to, flower in autumn ; if required 
to he at. their best in mid-winter it may tie deferred for a, tori - 
night. Shallow pans are best., filling them to within ! in. of 
the top with finely-sifted compost consisting of equal parts 
loam, peat and leaf soil, with a liberal addition of silver sand. 
Press, the soil fairly firm, and make the surface quite level, and 
sow the seed thinly, covering with a, little sand only. 
Give a good watering through a fine-rosed can an hour or 
two, before sowing ; then no, more will be required until the seed 
has germinated, provided the pan isi covered with glass and kept 
dark. Place the pan in, a structure that is kept ait, about 60 
or 65 deg. As soon as the seedlings appear, remove the glass, 
and place on a shelf in a slightly cooler structure until large 
enough to pot, off singly into small pots. The compost I find 
answer well for the young plants consists of equal parts good 
loam, leaf-soil and old Mushroom-bed refuse, adding plenty of 
sand to keep the whole sweet and porous. A slight sprinkling 
of bone-meal and soot is highly beneficial when mixing. The 
mixture should be used in a. lumpy state. 
Gloxinias. —Plants raised from seed sown early this year 
must, he kept growing freely by shifting on as the pots, become 
filled with root®. A compost similar to, that advised for 
Primulas answers well, with the exception of adding a small 
portion of peat. Never syringe Gloxinias, overhead, but, at the 
same time, the plants delight in a moisture-laden atmosphere. 
A shelf in the stove or warm pit suits them well, and they must 
be shaded from bright sunshine. 
Abutilon Sawitzii. —This is one of the most beautiful and 
useful plants we grow for the adornment of temperate glass 
honses and for table and other decoration in the, dwelling. It, 
is grown for the beauty of its foliage alone, which is pure 
white mottled with bright green, and the flowers are kept 
pinched off. Cuttings root readily a,t almost any period of 
the year if inserted in sandy soil and kept close and shaded for 
a feiv days. When struck they are potted off into small and 
large, 60’s,, and when these become well filled with roots, some 
of them are shifted on info, 48’s. For placing in small vases 
we keep the plants in quite small pots and afford liquid manure 
frequently to maintain them in a healthy condition. Well- 
grown plants of this unique Abutilon have a, charming effect in 
arrangements with Ferns or other plants. K. M. 
Hardy Fruits. 
The Pear. —Any protection afforded early-flowering varieties 
must be removed betimes, the majority of which are smothered 
with bloom, which should augur well for a full crop. Where 
glass coping exists for this fruit, there need be no hurry for 
another week to take this down, especially when front pro¬ 
tection ha® been afforded ; better allow a few days to intervene 
before removing both, as a sudden exposure may have a, detri¬ 
mental effect, to- the trees, and cause many of the fruits to drop. 
Plums. —Similar remarks as to removing spruce boughs, net¬ 
ting, etc.-, apply to this fruit as well. Keep a sharp look-out 
for "reen fly on the younc shoots of the Plum, dusting with 
